Wheelchairs that cater to different needs

Nilakshi KASILINGAM

Chandran had been an active person all his life. Eight years ago, while he was still in his early 20s, he had to deal with the biggest shock of his life. In one moment, Chandran’s whole life was changed after he was met with a road traffic accident. The accident left Chandran partially paralyzed and he was no longer able to walk.

After he was discharged from the hospital Chandran began to use a wheelchair to move about. Chandran was dependant on others for support carrying out his normal day to day activities.

The (hospital style) orthopedic wheelchair he used restricted him because it was not designed for an active wheelchair user outside of the hospital environment. He had no choice but to give up his dream of going to work.

Chandran’s story is similar to so many who have experienced a spinal cord injury. However, this situation could be different. Wheelchairs can be designed with features to cater to individual needs. For example, a young and active individual like Chandran can opt for an active wheelchair.

Chandran has great upper body strength, so his new wheelchair was designed and built to accommodate his ability to self-propel. Chandran’s wheelchair design also takes into account the local terrain, meaning it can be used on rough, sandy, uneven roads/pavements when he travels.

A child should use a “child’s wheelchair” which is more fitting and has better supporting measures than an adult’s wheelchair. This will support the child’s small body frame and allow his/her growth.

A child who frequently loses the ability to sit up without support (for example cerebral palsy children) can get a correctly fitted “supportive seat” in the wheelchair which allows the child to sit upright and interact with the world around them.

They can engage in various activities like drawing, writing and painting using a static tray which can be attached to the supportive seat. It also supports the child when eating; meaning an elder sibling or guardian’s support is not always required.

There are sports wheelchairs available for those who wish to pursue their athletic ambitions. Tricycles are also available to travel longer distances. An orthopaedic wheelchair is available for temporary use, such as transporting elderly people or people with short term mobility requirements, e.g. an individual who has sustained a fracture to their leg.

Years ago, obtaining a proper wheelchair which would cater personal needs, suitable for their living conditions and adjusted to fit their individual sizes was little more than a dream to many wheelchair users in Sri Lanka. This is no longer the case.

People with a mobility disability can now arrange to get a wheelchair customized according to their needs with the help of a qualified therapist. These wheelchairs are available in most parts of the country, including Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Tangalle, Jaffna and Vavunia (motivation Sri Lanka is one of the main providers of this kind of wheelchairs in Sri Lanka). Most importantly, the wheelchairs are high quality and affordable.

The opportunity to be mobile is out there, including the opportunity to return to work and generate an income. Not only does a customized wheelchair provide you with greater independence, it can prevent life threatening conditions a wheelchair user with a spinal cord injury may encounter by using an unsuitable wheelchair. These conditions can include:

* unhealthy posture
* pressure ulcers

Wheelchair services provide suitable wheelchairs through the following steps:
* Assessment: to select the product that best suits the lifestyle needs of the user
* Prescription: to make sure that the right size of product is selected
* Fitting: to make sure the product fits properly
* User training: to encourage maximum independence
* Certified: is it built on WHO guidelines? WHO states “a wheelchair is appropriate when it meets the individual’s needs and environmental conditions; provides proper fit and postural support based on sound biomechanical principles; is safe and durable; is available and can be accessed, maintained and sustained in the country at the most economical and affordable price.”

Before in an unsuitable wheelchair- note how his shoulder, legs and hands are kept. The handle is far too for him to use it to move the wheels. He can’t keep his feet on the foot rest. He is slightly tilted to a side because his entire posture is wrong and causes him discomfort.

After getting the customized wheelchair- see the contrasting difference compared with the previous picture. He’s sitting comfortably and he can reach the wheels easily to control it by himself. The extra wheel in the front gives a steady grip and coordinates movements well even in rough, uneven grounds.

Chandran is now a proud owner of a customized wheelchair. He goes to work and is able to contribute to his household income, along with his siblings. Chandran says that now he reaches his workplace faster in his wheelchair than when he used to travel by rickshaw!

Make a positive change or be a part of it by helping someone you know who may not be using the right wheelchair for them. Remember there are many options available and affordable. Correct wheelchair makes a difference.

(The writer is a Consultant Physiotherapist & Project coordinator for Wheelchair Services at Motivation, Sri Lanka. (Motivation is a non profit organization dedicated to empowering people with mobility disabilities)