For people with a walking disability who can no longer stand or walk upright, a wheelchair is available as an assistive device. A wheelchair allows a person with a walking disability to have a better quality of life by maintaining or regaining mobility. There are many different types and shapes of wheelchairs, adapted to the purpose and needs of the user. However, in basic design, all wheelchairs are the same.
What is a wheelchair?
There are very many different types and shapes of wheelchairs, adapted to the particular purpose and need of the user. However, in basic design, all wheelchairs are the same. A wheelchair enables a disabled person to maintain mobility. However, it is not a therapeutic device. A wheelchair is an aid to locomotion, transportation and, if necessary, active pursuits of the affected user. A wheelchair is an ergonomically shaped chair with two large side wheels and two small support wheels in the front. Since every person is individually different, a wheelchair should also always be professionally adapted to the individual. According to the personal needs and spectrum of use, the appropriate wheelchair model should be chosen. According to the personal possibilities of the user, the wheelchair can be driven either manually or by an integrated electric motor (electric wheelchair). In the basic version, there are two handles on the back of the wheelchair to facilitate pushing. Furthermore, a wheelchair is equipped with footrests so that the user can support his feet there.
Shapes, types and types
Wheelchairs have been around for several centuries. In 1869, the first patent on a wheelchair was issued in the USA. Wheelchairs differ by frame design, drive type, and specific uses. There are wheelchair frames that can be folded accordingly. The frame is then equipped with a foldable cross brace. In construction, the backrest and seat are made of a movable fabric material or the seat is rigid and removable. Folding wheelchairs are easier to transport, but are significantly heavier and have less good driving characteristics than wheelchairs with a rigid frame. With a rigid frame, the wheelchair is harder to transport, but has less weight and better driving characteristics. There are push wheelchairs that are only suitable for transporting a passive patient. More common are push rim wheelchairs. They can be moved by hand drive of the user. With a triple wheelchair, locomotion is possible by tripping the feet. Active wheelchairs also include wheelchairs with one-hand operation. With them, self-propel is possible with only one hand. The hand lever wheelchairs, which function by lever drive, are less common. If the functionality of the arms and hands is limited, a wheelchair with electric motor drive can support mobility. In addition to the standard wheelchair, there are also particularly lightweight models. Furthermore, there are wheelchairs for sports activities or special shower wheelchairs for personal hygiene. For special needs, there are also nursing wheelchairs that allow particularly safe or even semi-recumbent sitting.
Structure and mode of operation
A wheelchair has the function of transporting a person. It is an aid designed to support the residual mobility of the person with disabilities as much as possible. The chassis and seat unit must be selected based on the individual needs of the user. A wheelchair consists of the following components: a back belt and a seat belt, the push handles and the side parts. Furthermore, a wheelchair has a brake lever or a pressure brake, two large drive wheels and two smaller castor wheels. If necessary, handrims are located on the drive wheels if a manual drive is provided. The components of a wheelchair also include a footplate, operating lever for the legrest lock, cross brace, wheel adapter, control head and the wheelchair frame. Wheelchairs can be manually propelled by hand. To do this, the wheelchair user uses the handrims, which are mounted on the drive wheels. Compared to a standard wheelchair, a lightweight wheelchair has the advantage of having more adjustment options and various features. It is lighter and the seat height is adjustable. Furthermore, there are wheelchairs with extended functions and special models.They can usually be adjusted in the back angle by means of a gas pressure spring. They are often purely push wheelchairs, as they are significantly heavier due to the various components. Furthermore, they tend to be used for multi-disabled wheelchair users. These special wheelchairs are designed to better facilitate patient care. The electric wheelchairs (also called e-wheelchairs) are equipped with a motor that directly moves the large wheels. They also have a control in the hand or head area that allows users to navigate.
Medical and health benefits
A wheelchair is often a vital aid for a person with walking disabilities, as their mobility is secured and appropriate locomotion is made possible in the first place. There are now wheelchairs for a variety of uses, including, for example, sports wheelchairs, racing wheelchairs, shower wheelchairs and beach wheelchairs. Each of these wheelchair types enables the wheelchair user to participate in life as actively as possible. The wheelchair thus prevents the dangerous isolation of the mobility impaired person and therefore plays an enormously important role in maintaining psychological health. The wheelchair can also have a therapeutic benefit when used temporarily as an aid until a patient’s ability to walk can be restored. Predominantly, however, wheelchairs are used by people who are permanently disabled from walking. To actively move around in a hand-operated wheelchair, about twice as much force must be exerted by the wheelchair user as by a cyclist. In many cases, this movement and effort is beneficial to the user’s health.
