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https://www.mymobilityscooters.uk/products/lightweight-black-self-propel-wheelchair-with-brakes

How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those who have limited walking ability It is essential to know how to use your wheelchair and let an occupational therapist or doctor help you with this Wheelies are a very popular method for moving a wheelchair This requires the client to have hands large enough to span these rims and good grip strength to propel forward Seating Position Self propelled wheelchairs allow you to be able to move on your own and not rely on others This is the key for many who want to regain their independence or keeping it It also lowers the risk of injury for the person who is using the wheelchair as well as those who are around them The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable while sitting in the chair There are a variety of things to do to ensure this First make sure that the footplates are in the proper position Release the latch on the footrest and then move the footrests to make sure they are directly in front of the chair Make sure that the wheelchair users feet are comfortably placed on the footplates The footrests height could require lowering especially for users who are hemiplegic one side of the body is more affected than the other If the footrests arent high enough they can put pressure on the bones of the seat and cause discomfort and pain A forehead strap will help the wheelchair user stay upright especially if their neck muscles are weak These can be fitted by a mobility expert and can be used on wheelchairs that do not have headrests If the wheelchair has armrests it is crucial to ensure they are in the right position and that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting them with their arms when they move It is best to choose a wheelchair with swingaway or movable armrests to accomplish this You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to a more comfortable height It is also essential that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion particularly if the wheelchair user has a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers These are because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surfaces of the wheelchair In certain instances the skin may become irritated and raw due to sitting in the same position for a long period of time It can cause blisters To reduce the chances of developing pressure ulcers the chair should be moved regularly Pushing Selfpropelled wheelchairs permit users to move on their own and become independent from the need for another person to push them They are easier to maneuver due to their larger rear wheels and push handles They can be used on a variety of surfaces without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck As you move forwards with your chair make sure not to grip the handle too hard Too much pressure can cause your hands cramp and reduce how much force you can use It may also be beneficial to wear a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip material that is built into the palms This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you can use Keep the front casters clear of debris such as sticks or rocks If the casters have been covered with this kind of material it may make it difficult to move in the manner you would from your wheelchair and could lead to the loss of control andor potential injury If your seattofloor height is high you might want to consider adding some extra padding to the front casters When going up an unassuming step or a curb it is recommended you enlist the help of a caregiver to push the wheelchair assistance If you wish to attempt this on your own additional training and practice is required under the supervision of a health professional It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly directly towards the curb or with small steps and place the front tires close to the edge When you are pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure you dont get in the way of other people Youll gain speed quickly when you dont have enough space in front of you You could also end up colliding with someone else To avoid this make sure you are aware of people in the vicinity when you are on a slope Also have a friend or carer waiting to catch you in the event you begin to fall out of your wheelchair Braking A selfpropelled chair requires the user to perform the braking and controlling actions in a certain way to ensure the chair is safe to use This is particularly important when the chair is on an inclined slope since the center of gravity could be pushed forward if the brakes are not applied in a controlled way When pushing a wheelchair make sure that the hand is in the proper position with the ideal being at 10 hours 1000 on the wheel and released at two clock 200 This ensures that the majority of the body weight is on the rear wheels allowing for the smoothest most simple push It also helps maintain the integrity of shoulder the elbow wrist and wrist joint To turn left with a wheelchair to turn left push forward on the righthand rim and pull the lefthand rim back This causes the wheelchair to turn left and will allow you to remain seated in your chair Wheelchairs can also be equipped with antitip bars which prevent the wheelchair from tipping over in the reverse direction Always read the users guide included with your wheelchair to confirm the safest slope your chair can traverse In some circumstances the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to get over steep slopes If this is the case it is recommended to seek the assistance of a friend or relative and follow the instructions in the User Guide It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating kerbstones This will reduce the pressure on the back and front tyres and allow you to go faster over the kerb Many manual wheelchairs feature a kerbclimber feature that can assist in this process It increases the wheelchairs climbing ability by around 10cm 4 To stop a wheelchair push the joystick to the side to release the motor and then release the brakes The wheelchair will stop and you can remove the footrests or prepare walking aids before safely exiting the chair Steering The user is accountable for controlling and steering the wheelchair This can be accomplished in different ways depending on the wheelchairs structure and any additional features such as armrests or drinkphone holders Wheelchairs vary in design as well as in size and weight The size of the front casters for instance can determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair can be able to handle Small casters permit wheelchairs to move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone Large casters will allow wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces but they will not be as swift The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to maintain momentum This is done by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing evenly with each hand The hands shouldnt be wrapped around the hand rims in order to avoid injuries and result in overcorrections fishtailing as the chair makes a turn It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different levels of leaning backwards and forwards to find the best balance between control and lean The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for more difficult terrain The wheelchair user should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or other people If they travel with a caregiver they should be ready to help when they need to If the wheelchair is going to be used on an inclined slope it must be driven or assisted by a caregiver until the user is familiar in this To turn the wheelchair the user needs to push one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back The user of the wheelchair should practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on other surfaces because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair may easily slide over if the technique isnt mastered wheelchair self propelled folding My Mobility Scooters can help ease the pressure on the user and also make turning easier It is important to be aware that untrained people will often force wheelchair users against their will The wheelchair user should cover the handles or fold them inwards