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Manual Wheelchairs: Buying One

Shopping for a manual wheelchair is definitely a tough job today; your options are vast and diverse here. You may manage to locate a good model. But, matching the features available with your requirements is going to be a great challenge. The following guidelines will help a lot if you are someone exploring your choices in this regard.

Author: Todd Dawson
Date: Jan 25, 2015 - 9:58:34 AM

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Shopping for a manual wheelchair is definitely a tough job today; your options are vast and diverse here. You may manage to locate a good model. But, matching the features available with your requirements is going to be a great challenge. The following guidelines will help a lot if you are someone exploring your choices in this regard.
Shopping for manual wheelchairs
You have to take numerous factors into account when buying a wheelchair. The first among them is its size. If it is too small, you won’t be able to fit into the chair. Being large is not a trouble; you can adjust the seating with the help of a cushion or something similar. This may not be the case if you are buying a self-propelled chair for your child. He/she won’t be able to reach to the rim if the wheelchairs too large. Portability is another concern you should address here. If you are a person who travels a lot, a folding wheelchair is the best choice. You just have to remove the wheels and store it in your vehicle when going for a ride. Following are the other factors which should influence your decision to go for a particular model.
1. Who will operate it?
The first question you should answer when shopping for a wheelchair is whether the user will operate it or not. If a chair just for occasional use is what you want, you can go for the one without a push rim. Here, a friend or caregiver pushes the wheelchair as required.
2. Where do you want to use it?
This is the next concern you should address when making a choice. Most of the wheelchairs available to buy at present are ideal both for outdoor and indoor use. But, for someone who wants to enjoy maximum independence, a self-propelled chair manufactured for indoor use may be the best choice. Lightweight and small in size, you would enjoy moving around on it. However, when shopping for its outdoor version, you should look for the features like a reliable braking mechanism and anti-tilt design.
3. What type of frame do you prefer?
Frame is the next in line among the determinants in making a choice when shopping for a manual wheelchair. You are offered two choices here; a cross-brace folding design and a rigid frame. A folding frame may offer you the flexibility you desire. You can disassemble its parts and store it in your car when travelling. But, you will have to sacrifice durability if you go for it. Maintenance too is going to be a time-consuming process with its many removable parts. However, a majority in the disabled community prefers rigid frames to their folding counterparts; they are easy to maneuver, lightweight and perform better.
Let your budget have the final word when making a choice. When combined with a thorough research, you are sure to get the model designed to fulfill your personal requirements. Spend for manual wheelchairs; why be a burden to those who care for you when there is a way to freedom?
Visit Better Life Mobility Center and check with seating specialist what wheelchair model you should buy. Also visit wheelchair section of website and check prices and compare models at http://www.betterlifemobility.com/ .

View all articles by Todd Dawson

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