Wheelchairs

For years, those in need of a wheelchair were limited to a standard, manual chair and not much else. The wheelchairs were all heavy, generally were made of stainless steel with dark-colored upholstery, and came with few if any frills. Today, the world of wheelchairs has changed dramatically. There's a wide range of manual wheelchair models to choose from, each model perfectly designed for the specific needs, abilities, and age of the user.

One such type of wheelchair is the Lightweight or Sport Wheelchair. The lightweight chair is made up of materials such as titanium, chrome and aluminum. Not only perfectly designed for sports use, the lightweight wheelchair has become popular for everyday use as well. These wheelchairs come with a sporty look and great mobility. They're particularly effective for those with upper body strength and an average body weight.

Another such type of wheelchair is often referred to as the junior or child wheelchair. These manual wheelchair models are designed to meet a child’s changing needs as he or she grows. In addition, they're designed to be "cool," which can help your child overcome some of the social challenges he or she faces by being wheelchair bound. Not only do they aid your child in getting around, they make it easier for him or her to be accepted by other children.

Standard wheelchairs, on the other hand, are generally composed of a cross-brace frame with a mid-to-high-level back. The frame is built-in and has removable arm rests. The foot rests swing away for easier access to the chair and for the comfort of the user. These chairs continue to be very popular, especially among the elderly.

As for wheelchair accessories, there's nothing more important than the seat cushion. There are two popular cushions. Foam cushions are inexpensive, lightweight, and comfortable. They also come in a variety of densities and sizes to accommodate the seat of the wheel chair. Air cushions have air chambers that can be adjusted to the comfort of the user (for those sensitive points) by adding or subtracting air. These are lightweight and waterproof, but they're also subject to punctures and leaks. There's a little more maintenance required with air cushions.

With the growing number of wheelchairs available today, everyone should be able to find the chair that best meets his or her needs, style and comfort. In the coming years, wheelchairs will continue to become more personalized and offer more and more mobility options for their users.