Your diagnosis and physical capabilities play a big part in deciding which mobility device is best for you, says Cupps, an RTS for 18 years.
“If your disease is progressing, then choosing the right equipment can mean all the difference in the world,” he says. “It depends on your diagnosis and prognosis, and which [piece of equip-ment] is going to meet your needs for the next five years.”
Using a manual wheelchair requires that you have good trunk and head control, some arm strength and the energy to propel the chair in your environment.
A power wheelchair could be a better choice if you have limited strength in your hands, arms and torso or are experiencing frequent fatigue, which can make it difficult to propel a manual wheelchair without help. And only with a power wheelchair can you get power tilt and recline or other power functions.
With a power chair, you don’t need
by Kathy Wechsler
to ask someone to push you, which gives you a whole lot of freedom and independence.
“With a power wheelchair you can do a lot more things than you can with a manual wheelchair,” Cupps says. “The whole functionality of a power wheelchair, I think, is essential for anyone to lead an active lifestyle.”
Or you can compromise by getting a power assist wheelchair or power assist add-on unit for your manual chair to give you a motorized boost.
If you want power to get around, but you don’t need the support of a power wheelchair, a scooter may work for you. Scooters offer the same sense of freedom as power wheelchairs, but they’re best for someone with a stable prognosis, trunk control and upper arm strength.
Do you want your mobility device to share long strolls on the beach with you, or quiet evenings at home? Should it be practical, or are looks more important to you?
Deciding whether you want a manual or power wheelchair or a scooter isn’t quite as complex as choosing a mate, but it does involve many factors. When you select a set of wheels, you undertake a costly, long-term partnership that may affect almost everything you do.
Jeff Cupps, a rehab technology supplier (RTS) at
Chesapeake Rehab in Baltimore, says you should always consult your neurologist, physical or occupational therapist, and RTS to get a good overview of your options.
In choosing a mobility device, Cupps recommends considering where you
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