#Invacare chairs
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I made a zine about adjusting cheaper wheelchairs, after adjusting my NHS wheelchair.
Notes: Your wheelchair ‘service manual’ is a good resource for adjustments! You can often google them. Also, with the wheel adjustments, be prepared to move the breaks. Google how to measure for a wheelchair to find your seat width, and if you want to get extra, look at seat depth. Leg length is usually done by adjusting the footplate height.
Image description and printable version under the ‘read more’ .
Image Description:
An 8 page zine. Both images have the same content but the first one is arranged to be read on a computer. I am going to describe each page.
First page reads “A cripple’s guide to.. making a cheap(er) wheelchair work for you” and in smaller writing “by Sock - who uses an Invacare Action 2NG”. There is a drawing of a wheelchair in the centre.
Page 2 reads “Choosing a wheelchair. Look for adjustability (can you change wheel height? COG?), seat width (as close to your size as possible), and arm rests that can be lowered/removed.” Each item has a small drawing illustrating the point.
Page 3 reads “Adjusting a wheelchair. You will need… Allen key set (bike ones are good!), Pliers (for holding bolts) and Phone (for access to manuals, taking photos at each step.” Each item has a small drawing of it.
Page 4 reads “1. Adjust Wheel height. This can be done where the wheel “plugs in”. Your fingers should touch the wheel hub centre. If you can, move the wheel forward too (centre of gravity adjustment).” There is a small drawing of the wheel base, an arm reaching down to touch the centre of the wheel and a wheel base with an arrow pointing to the right showing it being moved.
Page 5 reads “2. Arm rest adjustments. Get your armrests as far down and as far back as they go. I keep mine on because of muddy weather/to protect clothes from spokes but you can also just remove them!” There is 2 drawings of a rounded and straight arm rest.
Page 6 reads “3. Modding castor wheels. Adjusting the height will change the seat angle. Smaller castor = easier turning, but makes rough pavements harder.” There is a drawing of a tilted chair with big castors and a straight chair with small castors, with a double pointed arrow between, with the caption “Play around!”
Page 7 reads “4. Footplates. You can take the footplates off and toe propel. You can make a foot sling out of a belt/luggage strap/paracord.” Both have an accompanying illustration. Then there is a note saying “if you have poor circulation, weakness, etc. oh might just want to keep the footplates on”.
Page 8 reads “5. Cushion. You need a cushion for your chair. Depending on how long you sit/how bony you are, you might need to spend a little more” then “£: Foam. ££: pressure relief cushion. £££: EBay/second hand for jay, invacare, low zone etc.”
End.
Printable version:
#forsakeofabetterarttag#hope this helps someone#wheelchair#nhs wheelchair#hospital wheelchair#cripplepunk#physically disabled#heds#spoonie#potsie
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The process of how I bought my wheelchairs.
Someone's asked for help on this, and I've written a couple of really thorough posts that I never published, but here's the short I intended this to be short, but it's not version.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. I cannot provide medical advice. I am sharing my own experience, and it should not be used as your only research for this issue. Any time I am saying, "you," please note that it is a style choice to use the second person, and not an indication of giving advice.
Quick note: if your doctor prescribed you a chair, make sure you know what kind of chair was prescribed, and why. The best chair in the world is still awful if it doesn't do what you need.
Also if your insurance will cover a wheelchair then, once you've made sure that your insurance will cover the chair you need, make the smart choice about where you'll buy these things.
The first time that I was using a wheelchair full time, I was borrowing this one from a friend. This chair is about $500, so when I was buying my first chair for myself, I was looking at that price point. If a chair I was considering was notably more than $500, I knew I could just get my own copy of this chair that I was already comfortable with. The chair that I was borrowing was three years old and had been heavily used, so I was confident in this model's lifespan.
The other big advantage of this is that it ships free with Prime, which meant that it was easy to send to a friend when I was tired of watching her use a inexpensive chair to get around the Disney parks.
But then I went on ebay and learned about the magical world of secondhand wheelchairs. The short version of the story is that a wheelchair can outlive someone's need for it, and so it's not super uncommon to see someone selling an older wheelchair for much less than the chair is new. A lot of the time, these are custom or modular chairs. Instead of a basic chair that's set up to one-size-fits-probably-most, modular and custom chairs have 10+ pages of options to select from in their order form. When you're buying a new custom chair, you pick every option to make sure it's perfect for you. When your goal to buying a used chair is to just get one that's better for you than a Drive Super Sport one-size-fits-hopefully-you chair, the secret to buying on ebay is to find out what features you absolutely need, and then to check the other elements of the chair and see if they will work for you.
Quick note, at the time that I was buying my wheelchair, I actually already owned a wheelchair, and had decided it wasn't going to work for me to use full-time. This is an Invacare Tracer and it was, according to the tag, stolen from a wheelchair rental place in 2010, and according to my mom, stolen from my neighbor's to-be-burned pile in 2019. So if we don't count alleged crime as a cost, this wheelchair was free. This is a great example of a chair that's set up to be one-size-fits-no-one-perfectly.
This wheelchair would be better than nothing, but it's heavy, the wheels are really far back, and it doesn't really fit in my car. The tires have no tread and are pretty worn, so they don't do great for outdoor offroading. All detachable parts of this (armrests, foot rests) had been lost a decade ago, and they're not cheap to replace. I already knew what kind of budget I was willing to spend, and I felt that just using this as my main mode of movement wasn't going to be worth the saving of the $500.
I do still use this wheelchair a LOT in my house, because it's a pain to get my real wheelchair out of my car and into my house (because stairs), but I wouldn't feel confident taking it out on the town unless I have someone to push me.
So the secret to buying a wheelchair on ebay is a three step process:
Determine how much money you're able to spend. The best wheelchair in the world isn't going to do you any good if you can't actually get it.
Determine what main features you want in a chair, and look for those.
When you find a chair that has those features at that price, check to see if everything else in the chair works for you.
(Secret step 4: be lucky enough to have someone listing the chair you need).
So I picked this chair (Which is a Quickie 2 Lite) mostly because the Medwarm wheelchair had been a bit too wide for me. This chair was narrower and had a lot of the traits of the Medwarm chair that I'd liked. It folded, had 24" wheels with tread, had feet plates that didn't stick way out in front. I didn't actually know how any of that felt until I had it, because I didn't have experience with multiple wheelchairs. My inexperience gave me a superpower, which was that I didn't need to get so critical of certain traits, because I had no idea what any of that meant.
Shipped and with tax, this was $400. At the time, I just went, "hey, this is like the wheelchair that I want, but without the negative trait of being as wide, and it's $100 less."
The main this about this chair that I learned that I love is that the center of gravity is farther forward than on the Medwarm chair (I believe it's set to +1"). This gave me a lot more power pushing myself. When I was using the Medwarm chair, it wasn't uncommon for me to ask friends to push me long distances. I very rarely needed that in the Quickie2.
But I did have to replace it.
Short version of a long story was that when I went to being a most-time wheelchair user, the seat of my chair got smaller relative to my body. I'd picked a narrower chair because it was easier to navigate the world, but I'd actually picked a chair that was becoming too small for me to fit my Kitten Holding Legs into. I looked into getting a new chair.
So let's talk about the wheelchair that I bought and couldn't use. We learn from our wins and our misses.
This is a 19" Catalyst 5. There's a few problems with this one for me, but they all sum up to (for me personally) that it had more negative (to me) traits than the Medwarm one, but also was more expensive. I'd picked this one because it looked like it'd be more like my Quickie2 than like the Medwarm, but it just wasn't good for me.
My Quickie2's narrow, so I could put my feet right next to each other. This was the most comfortable way for me to sit. The way that KI measures a Catalyst frame and the way Quickie measures a Quickie 2 frame are different. My 15" frame Quickie 2 had a 14" wide seat, and this 19" Catalyst 5 had a 22" wide frame. The first time that I unfolded it, I knew that it was just too big for me to use comfortably. In addition, I didn't like the solid low-profile tires. I didn't like how far away the wheels were. It also had a really nice quality back, but the back had to be removed to fold the chair, so it was another step to take in and out of my car. It was also about 2" shorter at the seat than my old chair, and I already deal with being too short for my store's counters, so I didn't like losing that height.
So this was a case where I looked for traits that I thought I wanted: folding, wider seat. Then, instead of checking to see if the rest of the traits of the chair were things that I wanted, I just assumed it'd be okay. Personally, it just wasn't the chair for me.
I ended up learning that selling a used wheelchair on ebay is actually pretty easy as well, so the money I lost on this purchase summed up to the cost of a roll of bubble wrap to pack it up to send it to someone who would benefit from it.
When I was looking for my next wheelchair, I had changed what I wanted out of a chair. I knew that I wanted tires with actual tread on them, instead of solid poly smooth tires. I knew that I wanted a wider seat, but not too wide. If it didn't come with a little bit of camber on the wheels (that's where they slant towards the top of the chair), I wanted to be able to add it. I also wanted it to be a minimum of 17" high seat. But the biggest change was that I'd decided that I didn't really need it to be folding.
I drive a hatchback with back seats that can fold down, and I pretty much never have passengers. I decided fuck it, if I'm not driving people, I don't need to keep the seats up, so I could get a non-folding chair and just shove the whole thing in the back without breaking down. Without breaking down the chair. I could still break down. Life is tough sometimes.
So this is a Quickie GT, which is an old, discontinued model. According to the serial number lookup, it was made in 2009. The good news is that it immediately passed the Cat Test.
When I was looking at this chair, I saw that it was designed for people who push themselves, and would probably be less good for someone who needed other people to push them. This wasn't an issue for me, because I hate being pushed.
(same chair plus two cans of spray paint)
This chair was over the $500 budget (it was $670 with shipping and tax), but this time I'd done enough research to be confident that it'd be a lot better for me than the Medwarm chair. I stuck with Quickie as a brand because I felt like I better understood how they size their seats. The serial number lookup said that this chair was 17" wide, so I was ready to get a 16" seat, and that's what I got. It's got pneumatic tires, which don't just have tread but also roll along the ground like bicycle tires. I love this chair. Instead of two separate foot rests, there's just the one, so I'm a lot more comfortable with how I sit.
It does have the downside of this is the smallest it gets without taking off the wheels. The wheels come off easily and so it's not a big problem, but it's more steps to get it into the car if I don't want to fold back my seats. Also, the front plate doesn't flip up or go away, so if I want to propel myself with my foot I'm a lot more limited.
Once I don't need this anymore, I'm also going to need to either sell it or figure out where to store it. I can keep a folding wheelchair in the back of my closet in case I need it again, but this one will be taking up some space.
For all of the chairs that I got, I was really only searching ebay for a couple of days before the right one at the right price showed up. This is somewhat slanted based on what I need, because certain things do show up more often than others, and at different prices. Wider chairs tend to have less selection and be more expensive, while 12-14" wide chairs are really plentiful.
Let's get together and look at some ebay chairs. We're going to search "wheelchair" and set condition to "used". If you plop the sort system into "price+shipping: lowest first" and then start scrolling until you get past all the wheelchair parts and all the "free local pickup: <location that is in another country>" and into the actual wheelchairs that can ship, you can start checking out the market.
I immediately eliminate anything that doesn't have all the parts, that is too expensive, that is only available for pickup, that doesn't have foot rests, or a few other things. The first one that I saw that I didn't elminate was this.
The most important thing from this listing is where they post the serial number.
And that's because KI, Sunrise, and Permobil all keep databases of all the serial numbers of all the chairs they have sold.
You can now go onto a site that sells that chair and look up what all those things mean. Spinlife sells the Catalyst 5Vx, and if you click "help me choose" on an item listing, it'll usually give you pictures of the different options. For me personally, the draw of this one would be that it's a really good price, and it's roughly set up the same as my default Medwarm chair. I don't like the tires but I do like the side guards and arm rest combo.
This was on a listing for a chair where the serial number wouldn't pull up. I wouldn't consider this one since I can't tell the width or depth when the seller won't list it and Sunrise doesn't have it. I'm just dropping this screenshot because "SELLER NOTE TO SELF" and "BUTT PAD NOT INCLUDED" both made me laugh.
As a quick final note, this is not going to be cheaper than getting a really basic wheelchair off Amazon. However, as someone who has used really basic wheelchairs, getting something upgraded has a whole lot of value. One of the reasons why I really like lolita fashion is that we treasure used things that still have use, and so it's also got some value to me to see if I can get something used that still has use. In my experience, things got better when I tried to get something used. If you do want a really basic chair, it might still be worth it to check if they're available for nearby pickup. Plopping my location into "free local pickup within 30 miles" offers me a basic Drive chair for $20. It's reusing something instead of having to throw it away, and it's also $20. Can't argue with $20.
Anyway, that's half diary entry and half possible advice.
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#RightsOnFlights : New Campaign for Airlines to take better care of Disabled Passengers and their Mobility Equipment
Disability Rights UK, a disabled TV presenter named Sophie Morgan, disabled entrepreneur Josh Wintersgill and MP Marion Fellows have started a new campaign for better care of disabled people and their essential equipment taken onboard by aircraft staff. They want the UK government to give the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) the power to fine airlines and other groups if they don’t take good care of disabled passengers and their mobility equipment during flights.
Sophie, who uses a wheelchair and travels internationally for her work on TV, began the campaign after her wheelchair and special front-wheel BATEC system were destroyed on a flight from Los Angeles to London. The campaign is called “Rights on Flights” and it wants airlines and others to be responsible for any damage to wheelchairs or essential mobility devices. It also asks them to help disabled passengers without delay and provide the support they need.
Watch Sophie Morgan on Loose Women Launch the Rights On Flights Campaign
https://youtu.be/Cg8OBnRQslk
In the video, Sophie discusses a new campaign called the “Rights on Flights” campaign that aims to address the issues faced by disabled travelers when flying. The long-term goal is to redesign aircraft so that wheelchair users can travel in their chair, similar to how train travel is made accessible. However, the short-term goal is to ask the government to give the civil aviation authority the power to impose fines when any of the parties involved in air travel, such as airlines or handlers, fail disabled people. This is to ensure that there are consequences for any damage to equipment or failure to provide appropriate assistance, which will hopefully discourage this behavior in the future. Disabled travelers share their horror stories in the video, such as being left on board for too long or having their equipment damaged, and the campaign aims to put a stop to these abuses.
Key Goals Of #RightsOnFlights
The campaign’s goals:
Hold airlines and other actors accountable for damage to wheelchairs or essential mobility devices.
Ensure that disabled passengers are not left on flights for a prolonged period once the flight has landed.
Ensure that disabled passengers receive adequate assistance despite prior knowledge of their needs.
The campaign will highlight the challenges that disabled travelers face when flying and the need for change in the aviation industry.
The CAA’s rules for accessible air travel are not enough to make sure that airlines and others take responsibility when things go wrong. Sophie thinks that this campaign is a short-term solution to a long-standing problem. She wants a big change in the airline industry, so disabled people can feel as confident as non-disabled people when they travel by air.
MP Marion Fellows has asked the Prime Minister and other lawmakers to support the campaign. Everyone can join in by going to the Disability Rights UK Rights On Flights campaign page and writing to their MP. The campaign is using the hashtag #RightsOnFlights on social media.
My Experience of Airplane Wheelchair Damage
We were very lucky that the damage happened on our RETURN journey or it could have ruined our holiday
During our recent holiday trip to Port De Soller, Majorca, my wife Clare’s Electric Invacare wheelchair got damaged on our return flight with Jet 2. The motherboard to the controller was hit and misaligned. We had to wait for almost an hour to get an “insurance number” from a Jet 2 representative. We were already exhausted and wanted to get home and this caused problems for the wheelchair taxi we booked to pick us up. We had a huge amount of anxiety that the chair would not work or suddenly malfunction. I’ve seen a friend’s wheelchair controller fail and start to drive her into a wall before!
The next day, I took the wheelchair to our local dealer, Bromakin, to be repaired. Luckily there was no electrical damage and they only charged £40 to repair it. Given the circumstances, we chose not to file an insurance claim, since there are only so many battles you can tackle at once and like most people, we have a lot going on in our lives!
We were also fortunate that the damage happened on our way back home, if it had happened on the way there it would have ruined our holiday. We were upset and couldn’t understand why people could be so careless with someone’s wheelchair. It shows a lack of knowledge and respect by the baggage handling staff who clearly need more training about how vital disability equipment is to people’s lives.
How to take part in the Rights on Flights Campaign
People are being urged to write a letter to their MP to help the campaign. I have created a template here:
[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, Postcode] [Date] [Member of Parliament’s Name] [House of Commons] [London, SW1A 0AA]
Dear [MP’s Name],
I am writing to you to express my concern about the challenges faced by disabled passengers when traveling by air. As you may be aware, the Rights on Flights campaign has been launched to ensure that disabled passengers have equal access to air travel.
I believe that it is important that the UK government takes action to address the challenges faced by disabled passengers when traveling by air. Some of the challenges include the lack of adequate facilities at airports, poor treatment of disabled passengers by some airline staff, lack of clear policies by some airlines on the treatment of disabled passengers and their equipment, and extra charges for the assistance required by disabled passengers when traveling by air.
I urge you to take action to address these challenges and support the Rights on Flights campaign. Specifically, I ask that you consider:
Encouraging the UK government to introduce regulations that require airlines to have clear policies on the treatment of disabled passengers and their equipment.
Encouraging the UK government to provide funding for airports to improve their facilities for disabled passengers.
Encouraging the UK government to introduce regulations that prevent airlines from charging extra for the assistance required by disabled passengers when traveling by air.
Supporting the monitoring of the treatment of disabled passengers by airlines and airports by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
I believe that by taking action on these issues, the UK government can help to create a more inclusive environment for all passengers, including those with disabilities.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I look forward to hearing from you on this important issue.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Add a paragraph about your own experiences if you are able.
Longer post here
#disability#inclusion#inclusionmatters#disability problems#disability rights#accessibility#access all areas#rights on flights
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Wheel chair decorations!
ID: the back of a wheel chair. There is a patch on the left hand side that is white with red text that reads "support trans rights and trans wrong" A trans symbol stands above the text. There is another patch that says the brand name "Invacare". Three pins are on the right hand side. One is rainbow and has the pronouns he/they on it. Another reads "free people read freely". The last pin is a blue person with a yellow plus sign next to it. End ID
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Description copied from below the cut for accessibility
[image description: a 4 picture long wheelchair tutorial. the background is white and the text, when it appears, is black and in calibri. each step will be labeled with "Step #" and a description of the drawing next to it, and "text" and then the text that is written to explain it to follow.
Step one text: So, you want to draw a character who uses a manual wheelchair? Awesome! I can't approve more. Drawing characters who use wheelchairs is a bit different than drawing standing characters, because of obvious posing differences. But to start, you need to know what parts of a wheelchair you will draw. So, without further ado, here are 3 wheelchairs!
Step one image: a simplified drawing of a chubby woman sitting in a quickie GPV manual wheelchair and resting her hand on the handrim of one of the wheels. this is labeled "the artist"
step two: next there is a lineart drawing of three wheelchairs. one is a tilite TR series 3. this is an ultralight wheelchair with a bucket seat (the back is lower than the front), a big cushion and a short backrest that kind of contours to the back of the person who would sit in it. the caster wheels (front wheels) are very small and the footrest is just two little metal bars. next image is a quickie GPV. this is also an ultralight wheelchair with a low back, but its caster wheels are slightly larger, the back has regular upholstery (it does not look like it was made to conform to the back of the person who sits there) and the frame is boxier -- there is no bar underneath the seat where the wheels would attach, rather each wheel is attached to the side of the chair. the next wheelchair is an invacare tracer. it is how most people imagine wheelchairs when they hear 'wheelchair'. it has no cushion and it has a high backrest with handles. it has high armrests that would be comfortable to rest your elbows on if you were just sitting. the wheels are not bicycle wheels like the previous two but are rather plastic. it has big footrests and big caster wheels.
text: the wheelchairs on the left are the ultralight, sporty kind. I have one of them (the quickie). the one on the right is a more standard one you might find in hospitals or as the public wheelchair in grocery stores or the mall.
step three: first is text to accompany the tilite. "This wheelchair has a really thick cushion - it's pressure relieving, which you need if you use your chair ufll tiem and especially if you have a spinal cord injury. This wc has the smallest caster (front) wheels. They are hte most handy for turning in small circles." next there is text to accompany the quickie gpv: "This one has the one I use -- it isn't pressure relieving, but is still useful." next is text to accompany the invacare: "this wheelchair has no cushion - you do not want to sit on it for long. This one has the biggest caster wheels - they are useful for not 'tripping' when your front wheel gets caught on an obstacle.”
step four text: like with all complex drawings, you want to break it into simple shapes first. I normally have a box underneath the seat, a rectangle for the backrest, and a trapezoidal thing for hte area from the box to the footrest. these are the most important shapes, because your character will rest on them and they will move with your character.
step four image: the lineart of each wheelchair has been put on reduced opacity, so we can see the square representing the backrest of each seat (the square is the smallest for the tilite and biggest for the invacare), the box for each seat and area underneath it, and the trapezoid for the footrests. the next step labels the images of these simplified shapes as the lineart is removed. "Note the proportions of each set of shapes is not the same - just like how you wouldn't draw all your characters with the same proportions on their faces!"
step 5: we see the same shapes to form the wheelchair, but now with blue circles drawn where the back wheels would be.
text: next shape is the wheels - two circles
step six: next we see the wheels and shapes have been reduced in opacity and the basic structure of everything about each wheelchair: footrests, caster wheels, upholstery details, axles has been drawn on in orange.
text: the next stage is everything else that's structure - front wheels, handlebars, cushions, footrests.
Step seven: we see the lineart on top of the lowered opacity sketch.
text: you can then do detailing like axles, spokes, upholstery, etc and lines
step eight: next we see three drawings of different characters. there is patience, a skinny white woman sitting in a blue invacare wheelchair. kelley, a slightly chubby black woman wearing a stripey dress sitting in a red quickie gpv wheelchair and doing a wheelie while smiling. then luke, a white man with short blond hair wearing khaki pants. he is sitting in a tilite chair.
text: once you get your wheelchair basics, you need to find out which kind your character uses. here are three characters who each use one of the example WCs. patience uses the invacare. she needs one with a better cushion, but circumstance prevents it. Notice the chair is a bit wider than her hips - it's not custom fitted. Also notice she has to turn her elbows out awkwardly to move. the high armrests prevent a smooth push. her wheelchair has big caster wheels and far-back back wheels. it is made for stability and difficult to turn,but also difficult to knock over. Her chair indicates a lack of resources or temporary injury, and is primarily a transport chair
kelley uses a wheelchair like mine - it is fairly sporty, but has a box-y frame underneath. this makes it heaver than if it didn't.she has a mediocre cushion - it protects her, but only some. her back wheels are further underneath her body than Patience's, which makes it possible to do the wheelie (demonstrated here). her wheelchair is supposed to look line one you'd use full time, but it is a little old.
luke has a spinal cord injury. he has a very thick pressure relieving cushion for medical reasons. his chair is also ultralight, with no boxyness under the frame. his chair is the newest and lightest - it indicates his wealth/resources, but also that he needs to use on full time.
step nine: just a drawing of me sitting in my wheelchair holding my hands up to show fingerless wheelchair gloves. we're looking at me from above.
text: when you're choosing what wheelchair to give your character, think of both their disability and their resources and go from there. questions to ask yourself: is it made specifically for them or is it mass-produced or a hand-me-down (if it's custom, the seat will not be too wide or narrow in comparison to their body and their feet will rest on the footplate naturally). do they want more stability (further back back wheels, big caster wheels) or maneuverability (the inverse). do they need a pressure relieving cushion? how long are they using their wheelchair per day? how long have they needed a wheelchair? Do they have health insurance? do they have access to a lot of spending money? How much can they spend on their wheelchair? are they athletic etc etc
posing steps:
step one: a sketch of two people standing up. one just shows the outline of a person's body, with legs that are ind of triangle shaped, the other shows a sketched pelvis and rib cage to go along with the bones of the legs and arm. text: step one: Most people have this sketch anatomy they put before drawing their characters for real. I kind of scribble around like on the left, but some people use skeletons on the right.
step two: there are now too sketched pictures of people in wheelchairs. one shows lightly traced human form (arms articulated, curve for a stomach, legs that are kind of triangle shaped and pointing down) sitting in a wheelchair that is just the sketch of footrests and wheels. the other sketch shows the sketch of a body with a circle for hips and an oval for a rib cage and the person doing a wheelie (lifting the front end of the wheelchair off the ground and leaning back). their wheelchair is also sketched out and defined by a circle for their wheels and 2 lines, 1 of the seat and 1 for the backrest. text: you need one of those for your wheelchair character. important: they should have both the person's main anatomy features (Usually upper body and at least hips) and the wheelchair's. for me, these are the back wheels, footrest, and seat. why simplify to just those features? Take a look at this incredibly quickly drawn wheelchair.
step three: there is a lineart drawing of a manual wheelchair with slightly cambered (angled towards the seat) wheels, a backrest, and a footrest. the frame is light and there are no handlebars. there are labels pointing to different parts of the wheelchair: Backrest, handrims, wheel, axle, seat, footrest, and caster wheels (the ones in front). text: there are a lot of parts, and not all of them are essential to your pose. trying to draw the whole thing straight out of the gate will frustrate you.'
step four text: take a character in heavy armor: if you draw her pose without taking her armor into account, her armor will clip through her body. if you draw a wheelchair using character without keeping her wheelchair in mind from the beginning, the pose won't make sense.
step four image: next we see two lineart drawings of different characters. one is a bulky woman wearing plate armor. her hand is on her hip and she is trying to scratch her back with the other hand. there is the label "shoudlerpad clips through face" and "thumb clips through chestplate." the next drawing shows a woman in a wheelchair with one foot rested on her knee and her arms rested back, such that they would be rested on the back of a regular chair, but the back of her wheelchair is not wide enough for them to actually be resting on anything. the text here reads "elbows not resting on anything" and "foot not on footplate"
step five: there are two images, one is lineart on top of a 3d modelled apartment with sketchup, the other is a colored in version of that lineart with the background also colored in and no longer a 3d modelled screencap two characters, one old woman wearing a green jacket and one younger woman wearing a white shirt and blue undershirt, are sitting on a couch. the old woman is leaning forward and the young woman is resting her arm on the couch. behind the young woman is a bookshelf.
step five text: you may say you'll just draw the chair first and then the person, but while that works for regular furniture, it doesn't work as well for most manual wcs. take this comic panel with characters on a couch for example - I 3d modeled the room and then drew the characters on the furniture. it works because you don't move furniture in most poses - you rest on it. but your wheelchair needs to move with you, especially if it's an ultralight one.
step six image: there is a flat color drawing of barbara gordon in her wheelchair. she is wearing a black sportsbra and black shorts. in the first image we see she is doing tricks in her chair, zooming through the air (as if she has just launched herself off the ground in a skater park or somethign) while her left hand is resting on a structure and her right hand is heading towards the right handrim. the next image shows her right hand planted on the ground and her chair and body above her, such that she is briefly doing a one-handed handstand, but the motion line indicates that she is moving and this will not last. her left arm is near the handrim of her left wheel.
text: take exercise Oracle - she is doing tricks. Her WC is an extension of her body. That is crucial to getting natural looking manual wheelchair users after posing.
step seven: we see a lineart drawing of paula from young justice. she is sitting in a standard manual wheelchair with high armrests (goes up to the bottom of her ribs probably) and a high backrest (goes up to just below her shoulderblades). she is setting her hand on the armrest, leaning forward, and holding her other hand out.
text: of course, there are exceptions - if you have a clunky WC, it is harder to move with your body. Take Paula from young Justice - here, i drew her resting her hand on her armrest, because she has a clunker wheelchair. her pose is already mostly static - she's sitting down - and she poses around that.
Manual Wheelchair Tutorial by Fade31415
So... I technically drew this 3 years ago but forgot to post it. I think I was going to clean up the end and make a nice recap, but I ran out of steam and then just left it as a wip for years. I got reminded of it because I was talking to a friend about how to draw wheelchairs today.
This covers most of what I view as the most common errors when it comes to drawing characters who use manual wheelchairs. I hope it helps you a lot.
Image description is in alt text, but there is a back up image description under the cut in case that does not work for some reason
[image description: a 4 picture long wheelchair tutorial. the background is white and the text, when it appears, is black and in calibri. each step will be labeled with "Step #" and a description of the drawing next to it, and "text" and then the text that is written to explain it to follow.
Step one text: So, you want to draw a character who uses a manual wheelchair? Awesome! I can't approve more. Drawing characters who use wheelchairs is a bit different than drawing standing characters, because of obvious posing differences. But to start, you need to know what parts of a wheelchair you will draw. So, without further ado, here are 3 wheelchairs!
Step one image: a simplified drawing of a chubby woman sitting in a quickie GPV manual wheelchair and resting her hand on the handrim of one of the wheels. this is labeled "the artist"
step two: next there is a lineart drawing of three wheelchairs. one is a tilite TR series 3. this is an ultralight wheelchair with a bucket seat (the back is lower than the front), a big cushion and a short backrest that kind of contours to the back of the person who would sit in it. the caster wheels (front wheels) are very small and the footrest is just two little metal bars. next image is a quickie GPV. this is also an ultralight wheelchair with a low back, but its caster wheels are slightly larger, the back has regular upholstery (it does not look like it was made to conform to the back of the person who sits there) and the frame is boxier -- there is no bar underneath the seat where the wheels would attach, rather each wheel is attached to the side of the chair. the next wheelchair is an invacare tracer. it is how most people imagine wheelchairs when they hear 'wheelchair'. it has no cushion and it has a high backrest with handles. it has high armrests that would be comfortable to rest your elbows on if you were just sitting. the wheels are not bicycle wheels like the previous two but are rather plastic. it has big footrests and big caster wheels.
text: the wheelchairs on the left are the ultralight, sporty kind. I have one of them (the quickie). the one on the right is a more standard one you might find in hospitals or as the public wheelchair in grocery stores or the mall.
step three: first is text to accompany the tilite. "This wheelchair has a really thick cushion - it's pressure relieving, which you need if you use your chair ufll tiem and especially if you have a spinal cord injury. This wc has the smallest caster (front) wheels. They are hte most handy for turning in small circles." next there is text to accompany the quickie gpv: "This one has the one I use -- it isn't pressure relieving, but is still useful." next is text to accompany the invacare: "this wheelchair has no cushion - you do not want to sit on it for long. This one has the biggest caster wheels - they are useful for not 'tripping' when your front wheel gets caught on an obstacle.”
step four text: like with all complex drawings, you want to break it into simple shapes first. I normally have a box underneath the seat, a rectangle for the backrest, and a trapezoidal thing for hte area from the box to the footrest. these are the most important shapes, because your character will rest on them and they will move with your character.
step four image: the lineart of each wheelchair has been put on reduced opacity, so we can see the square representing the backrest of each seat (the square is the smallest for the tilite and biggest for the invacare), the box for each seat and area underneath it, and the trapezoid for the footrests. the next step labels the images of these simplified shapes as the lineart is removed. "Note the proportions of each set of shapes is not the same - just like how you wouldn't draw all your characters with the same proportions on their faces!"
step 5: we see the same shapes to form the wheelchair, but now with blue circles drawn where the back wheels would be.
text: next shape is the wheels - two circles
step six: next we see the wheels and shapes have been reduced in opacity and the basic structure of everything about each wheelchair: footrests, caster wheels, upholstery details, axles has been drawn on in orange.
text: the next stage is everything else that's structure - front wheels, handlebars, cushions, footrests.
Step seven: we see the lineart on top of the lowered opacity sketch.
text: you can then do detailing like axles, spokes, upholstery, etc and lines
step eight: next we see three drawings of different characters. there is patience, a skinny white woman sitting in a blue invacare wheelchair. kelley, a slightly chubby black woman wearing a stripey dress sitting in a red quickie gpv wheelchair and doing a wheelie while smiling. then luke, a white man with short blond hair wearing khaki pants. he is sitting in a tilite chair.
text: once you get your wheelchair basics, you need to find out which kind your character uses. here are three characters who each use one of the example WCs. patience uses the invacare. she needs one with a better cushion, but circumstance prevents it. Notice the chair is a bit wider than her hips - it's not custom fitted. Also notice she has to turn her elbows out awkwardly to move. the high armrests prevent a smooth push. her wheelchair has big caster wheels and far-back back wheels. it is made for stability and difficult to turn,but also difficult to knock over. Her chair indicates a lack of resources or temporary injury, and is primarily a transport chair
kelley uses a wheelchair like mine - it is fairly sporty, but has a box-y frame underneath. this makes it heaver than if it didn't.she has a mediocre cushion - it protects her, but only some. her back wheels are further underneath her body than Patience's, which makes it possible to do the wheelie (demonstrated here). her wheelchair is supposed to look line one you'd use full time, but it is a little old.
luke has a spinal cord injury. he has a very thick pressure relieving cushion for medical reasons. his chair is also ultralight, with no boxyness under the frame. his chair is the newest and lightest - it indicates his wealth/resources, but also that he needs to use on full time.
step nine: just a drawing of me sitting in my wheelchair holding my hands up to show fingerless wheelchair gloves. we're looking at me from above.
text: when you're choosing what wheelchair to give your character, think of both their disability and their resources and go from there. questions to ask yourself: is it made specifically for them or is it mass-produced or a hand-me-down (if it's custom, the seat will not be too wide or narrow in comparison to their body and their feet will rest on the footplate naturally). do they want more stability (further back back wheels, big caster wheels) or maneuverability (the inverse). do they need a pressure relieving cushion? how long are they using their wheelchair per day? how long have they needed a wheelchair? Do they have health insurance? do they have access to a lot of spending money? How much can they spend on their wheelchair? are they athletic etc etc
posing steps:
step one: a sketch of two people standing up. one just shows the outline of a person's body, with legs that are ind of triangle shaped, the other shows a sketched pelvis and rib cage to go along with the bones of the legs and arm. text: step one: Most people have this sketch anatomy they put before drawing their characters for real. I kind of scribble around like on the left, but some people use skeletons on the right.
step two: there are now too sketched pictures of people in wheelchairs. one shows lightly traced human form (arms articulated, curve for a stomach, legs that are kind of triangle shaped and pointing down) sitting in a wheelchair that is just the sketch of footrests and wheels. the other sketch shows the sketch of a body with a circle for hips and an oval for a rib cage and the person doing a wheelie (lifting the front end of the wheelchair off the ground and leaning back). their wheelchair is also sketched out and defined by a circle for their wheels and 2 lines, 1 of the seat and 1 for the backrest. text: you need one of those for your wheelchair character. important: they should have both the person's main anatomy features (Usually upper body and at least hips) and the wheelchair's. for me, these are the back wheels, footrest, and seat. why simplify to just those features? Take a look at this incredibly quickly drawn wheelchair.
step three: there is a lineart drawing of a manual wheelchair with slightly cambered (angled towards the seat) wheels, a backrest, and a footrest. the frame is light and there are no handlebars. there are labels pointing to different parts of the wheelchair: Backrest, handrims, wheel, axle, seat, footrest, and caster wheels (the ones in front). text: there are a lot of parts, and not all of them are essential to your pose. trying to draw the whole thing straight out of the gate will frustrate you.'
step four text: take a character in heavy armor: if you draw her pose without taking her armor into account, her armor will clip through her body. if you draw a wheelchair using character without keeping her wheelchair in mind from the beginning, the pose won't make sense.
step four image: next we see two lineart drawings of different characters. one is a bulky woman wearing plate armor. her hand is on her hip and she is trying to scratch her back with the other hand. there is the label "shoudlerpad clips through face" and "thumb clips through chestplate." the next drawing shows a woman in a wheelchair with one foot rested on her knee and her arms rested back, such that they would be rested on the back of a regular chair, but the back of her wheelchair is not wide enough for them to actually be resting on anything. the text here reads "elbows not resting on anything" and "foot not on footplate"
step five: there are two images, one is lineart on top of a 3d modelled apartment with sketchup, the other is a colored in version of that lineart with the background also colored in and no longer a 3d modelled screencap two characters, one old woman wearing a green jacket and one younger woman wearing a white shirt and blue undershirt, are sitting on a couch. the old woman is leaning forward and the young woman is resting her arm on the couch. behind the young woman is a bookshelf.
step five text: you may say you'll just draw the chair first and then the person, but while that works for regular furniture, it doesn't work as well for most manual wcs. take this comic panel with characters on a couch for example - I 3d modeled the room and then drew the characters on the furniture. it works because you don't move furniture in most poses - you rest on it. but your wheelchair needs to move with you, especially if it's an ultralight one.
step six image: there is a flat color drawing of barbara gordon in her wheelchair. she is wearing a black sportsbra and black shorts. in the first image we see she is doing tricks in her chair, zooming through the air (as if she has just launched herself off the ground in a skater park or somethign) while her left hand is resting on a structure and her right hand is heading towards the right handrim. the next image shows her right hand planted on the ground and her chair and body above her, such that she is briefly doing a one-handed handstand, but the motion line indicates that she is moving and this will not last. her left arm is near the handrim of her left wheel.
text: take exercise Oracle - she is doing tricks. Her WC is an extension of her body. That is crucial to getting natural looking manual wheelchair users after posing.
step seven: we see a lineart drawing of paula from young justice. she is sitting in a standard manual wheelchair with high armrests (goes up to the bottom of her ribs probably) and a high backrest (goes up to just below her shoulderblades). she is setting her hand on the armrest, leaning forward, and holding her other hand out.
text: of course, there are exceptions - if you have a clunky WC, it is harder to move with your body. Take Paula from young Justice - here, i drew her resting her hand on her armrest, because she has a clunker wheelchair. her pose is already mostly static - she's sitting down - and she poses around that.
#so alt text is a great accessibility tool but not universally accessible to people who need it so thanks for the other description!#but putting it below a cut makes it harder to access for people who need it#and if your account deactivates then anything below a readmore is gone for good#i know it makes posts long but please dont put IDs under cuts thank you
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Up for sale is an Invacare power wheel chair. This unit has newer batteries, usual wear and everything works. Model # is TDXSP2-MCG has leg extension and ful back recline. This allows patients to fully recline to relieve pressure. Capacity 300 lbs and comes with charger, extra headrest and ROHO cushion. . Price of $2000 is fair given new cost of $7000+ when new. Chair has a lot of life left in it!
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The Future Landscape of the Patient Handling Equipment Market
Patient Handling Equipment Market Outlook, Scope & Overview:
Industry reports indicate that the global patient handling equipment market was valued at USD 10.94 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 17.85 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.3% over the forecast period 2024-2031.
Technological Advancements to Drive Growth of Global Patient Handling Equipment Market
The adoption of advanced patient handling equipment will continue to influence global market revenues. Healthcare providers are increasingly utilizing patient handling equipment to improve patient safety, reduce the risk of caregiver injuries, and enhance the quality of care provided.
As a product segment, mobility assistance devices currently hold a significant share of the global patient handling equipment market. This segment is anticipated to grow at a year-over-year rate of 6.3% in 2024 over 2023 and reach USD 17.85 billion in revenues by 2031. The increasing need for safe and efficient patient transfers, especially in long-term care facilities and hospitals, is expected to drive market growth.
Patient Handling Equipment Solutions – Market Dynamics
Drivers:
Patient handling equipment solutions are witnessing significant growth in the global market due to their ability to improve patient mobility, enhance caregiver safety, and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. The growing aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and rising demand for home healthcare services are key factors driving the adoption of patient handling equipment worldwide. Additionally, regulatory guidelines and safety standards emphasizing the importance of safe patient handling are further propelling market growth.
Restraints:
Despite the growth potential, challenges such as high costs associated with advanced patient handling equipment, budget constraints in healthcare facilities, and the need for regular maintenance and training are hindering the widespread adoption of patient handling solutions. Moreover, resistance to change from traditional patient handling methods and the need for significant investment in infrastructure pose additional challenges to market expansion.
Patient Handling Equipment Solutions – Market Outlook
The proven benefits of patient handling equipment solutions in improving patient care, reducing caregiver injuries, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations have contributed to the market's growth. Patient handling equipment solutions are expected to witness increased adoption across major healthcare markets, including North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, driven by advancements in technology and the growing focus on patient safety and quality of care.
Global Patient Handling Equipment Market
The rise in demand for patient handling equipment solutions in developed and emerging markets is expected to drive market growth over the forecast period. North America currently holds a significant market share in the global patient handling equipment market, with the US being a key contributor to market revenues. Europe and Asia Pacific regions are also experiencing rapid adoption of patient handling solutions, supported by favorable regulatory frameworks and increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure.
Key Players in the Patient Handling Equipment Solutions Market
Leading companies in the patient handling equipment solutions market include Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., Arjo, Invacare Corporation, and Stryker Corporation. These companies are at the forefront of developing and commercializing advanced patient handling equipment for various healthcare applications, including patient lifts, slings, transfer chairs, and mobility aids.
In conclusion, the global patient handling equipment market is poised for steady growth over the forecast period, driven by technological advancements, increasing awareness of patient safety, and the expanding adoption of advanced equipment in healthcare settings to enhance patient care and caregiver safety.
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#Patient Handling Equipment Market#Patient Handling Equipment Market Size#Patient Handling Equipment Market Share#Patient Handling Equipment Market Trends#Patient Handling Equipment Market Growth#Patient Handling Equipment Market Analysis#Patient Handling Equipment Market Outlook
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Electric Wheelchair Market will grow at the highest pace owing to rising prevalence of mobility impairment globally
Electric wheelchairs are specially designed chairs equipped with rechargeable batteries and a tiller/joystick that allow users to maneuver independently. These wheelchairs offer mobility for people with disabilities or those who face difficulties in walking or standing. They provide independence, comfort and easy handling for users as compared to a manual wheelchair which requires physical effort to move. Some key features of electric wheelchairs include ergonomic seats, arm-leg rests, tilting systems, lighting systems, anti-tip wheels etc. The Global Electric Wheelchair Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 8.71 Billion in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 11% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031. Key Takeaways Key players operating in the electric wheelchair market are Invacare Corporation, Sunrise Medical (US) LLC, Permobil Inc., Pride Mobility Products Corporation, Drive Devilbiss Healthcare, Hoveround Corporation, Ottobock Healthcare, 21st Century Scientific, Inc., Meyra GmbH, LEVO AG, Merits Co. Ltd., Segway Inc., Scewo, GF Health Products Inc., Karman Healthcare, Inc., KYMCO Healthcare, SOWECARE B.V, and Nanjing Jin Bai He Medical Apparatus Co., Ltd. The growing geriatric population and rising prevalence of mobility disabilities globally are driving the demand for electric wheelchairs. According to WHO, over 1 billion people representing about 15% of the world's population experience some form of disability. This number is expected to increase significantly over the coming decades. Technological advancements in the electric wheelchairs market have improved functionality, performance and design of these mobility aids. Adoption of lithium-ion batteries have increased operating range and lifespan of electric wheelchairs. Additionally, integration of technologies such as customized seating options, anti-tippers, obstacle detectors etc. are enhancing safety, comfort and maneuverability of electric wheelchairs. Market Trends Lightweight and portable electric wheelchairs: Manufacturers are developing ultra-lightweight and foldable electric wheelchairs to improve portability and storage. These chairs weigh less than 36 lbs and can be easily transported in vehicles. Integration of connectivity technologies: Leading players are integrating connectivity features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi etc. in electric wheelchairs to offer benefits like remote monitoring and controlling. This allows family members and caregivers to track location and status of users. Market Opportunities Growing demand for sports wheelchairs: There is increasing demand for specialized electric wheelchairs for sports such as basketball, rugby etc. These sports chairs are ergonomically designed for optimal performance and maneuverability on the field. Personalization through 3D printing: 3D printing technologies offer opportunities for personalized customization of electric wheelchairs components such as armrests, joysticks etc. based on body structure and needs of individual users.
#Electric Wheelchair Market Share#Electric Wheelchair Market Analysis#Electric Wheelchair Market Trend
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Best Hospital Furniture
When handpick the best hospital furniture for Biomedica Health Care Company, there are several key factors involved in contemplate several factors such as quality, functionality, comfort, and compliance with health standards. When selecting the best hospital furniture for Biomedica HealthCare Company, prioritize patient and caregiver comfort with ergonomic designs, and ensure the furniture is made from durable, easy-to-clean materials to maintain hygiene. Opt for multifunctional pieces that are simple to adjust, creating a welcoming environment with calm, soothing designs. Ensure flexibility for future needs and include safety features like non-slip surfaces and secure locks. Choose reputable brands like Hillrom , Stryker, and Herman Miller Healthcare for their quality and reliability, providing long-term value and comprehensive support.
Here's a comprehensive guide on what to look for when choosing hospital furniture :-
Key Factors in Selecting Best Hospital Furniture:-
1. Sympathy and Comfort
Patient Comfort: Hospital furniture such as beds, chairs, and examination tables should prioritize patient comfort. This includes adjustable features, padding, and support for various body types and conditions.
Caregiver Ergonomics: Furniture should also be designed to support the ergonomic needs of caregivers, reducing strain and injury.
2. Durability and Material Quality
Long-Lasting Materials: Furniture should be made from durable, high-quality materials that can withstand rigorous use and frequent cleaning.
Infection Control: Materials should be non-porous and easy to clean to prevent the spread of infections.
3. Functionality and Flexibility
Multi-Functional Designs: Furniture that serves multiple purposes can save space and costs. For example, a chair that converts into a bed for overnight stays.
Ease of Use: Furniture should be easy to operate, adjust, and move, especially in emergency situations.
4. Aesthetic and Psychological Considerations
Welcoming Design: The aesthetic of hospital furniture can significantly impact the psychological well-being of patients. Calm, welcoming designs can help reduce stress and promote healing.
Color and Style: Consider colors and styles that create a positive and comforting environment.
5. Customization and Adaptability
Modularity: Furniture that can be easily reconfigured or customized to meet the specific needs of different departments or patient populations is highly valuable.
Future-Proofing: Adaptable designs that can evolve with technological advancements and changing healthcare practices.
6. Regulatory Compliance and Safety
Standards Compliance: Ensure that the furniture meets all relevant health and safety standards and regulations.
Patient Safety Features: Look for features that enhance patient safety, such as non-slip surfaces, secure locking mechanisms, and fall prevention designs.
7. Cost and Value
Cost-Effectiveness: While high-quality furniture may come at a higher initial cost, its durability and functionality can offer better long-term value.
Warranty and Support: Consider manufacturers that offer comprehensive warranties and responsive customer support.
Recommended Brands :-
Here are some brands known for their quality hospital furniture:
Hill Rom: Specializes in beds and furniture designed to improve patient care and comfort.
Stryker: Offers durable, ergonomic furniture for both patients and caregivers.
Invacare: Known for a wide range of patient and long-term care furniture.
Herman Miller Healthcare: Focuses on ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing designs.
Steelcase Health: Designs functional, adaptable furniture for various healthcare needs.
Conclusion :-
Choosing the best hospital furniture requires careful consideration of quality, functionality, safety, and ease of maintenance. By focusing on these factors, healthcare facilities can ensure they provide a comfortable and efficient environment for both patients and staff. While AI might not directly assess the qualitative aspects of hospital furniture, it can help in data collection and analysis to support decision-making.
Source :- https://www.biomedicaworld.com/
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Reliable Mobility Solutions: Invacare Chairs
Discover the perfect mobility solution with Master Medical Group LLC’s Invacare chairs. Known for their durability and innovative design, these chairs offer superior maneuverability, adjustable features, and robust construction to accommodate diverse needs. Experience the freedom of movement and independence with Master Medical Group LLC's trusted range of wheelchairs and transport chairs.
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(Everest & Jennings: History of a Goliath's Fall from Graceから)
> Sixty-eight years after Herbert Everest and Harry Jennings established the most successful company in wheelchair history, Everest & Jennings, I sat in my powerchair on a dark section of Bourbon Street in New Orleans at 3 am. I finished the last day of a tradeshow, where E&J had a sparse booth, and happened to run into a friendly E&J representative as I spent a late night out on the town. "E&J's on a comeback," he said, sounding like a forty-year-old prizefighter, twenty years past his prime.And, indeed, there's not a better simile for Everest & Jennings - the corporate goliath that dominated the world's wheelchair marketplace for fifty years, then crumbled under its own corruption and arrogance. It truly is the classic tale of a brutal fall from grace, a broken ex-prizefighter, long forgotten in favor of new champs, holding himself up with little more than the memories of whom he once was.The year was 1933, and two friends, Herbert Everest, a paralyzed mining engineer, and Harry Jennings, a mechanical engineer, prepared to launch the latest innovation in "invalid carriages" from their West Los Angeles garage: A lighter, better-performing version of a tubular steel, folding manual wheelchair previously patented by another inventor in 1909. E&J's version featured an innovative X-frame, allowing the chair to easily fold for transport, yet remain relatively rigid in use - and a patent was granted in 1937 for their improvements.By 1943, E&J's X-frame design was catching on as an industry leader, even with President Roosevelt, who commissioned E&J to build him a chair for use on his airplane. What's more, in 1953, the Red Cross ordered 5,000 wheelchairs from E&J for returning World War II servicemen, and in 1956, the company released the first mass-market powerchair.With E&J's success, others sought to capitalize on their own innovations by striving to compete with E&J, both in the U.S. market and abroad. In 1968, seeking to control the wheelchair market worldwide, E&J embarked on an international expansion and buy-out campaign, soon controlling 90-percent of the wheelchair market in the U.S., and utterly dominating Canada, Mexico, England, and Germany, to name a few countries.Despite E&J's phenomenal business growth and market share, it practiced almost no innovation or improvement within its product line, with wheelchairs in the 1970s still painfully mimicking those it manufactured in the 1940s. The E&J Premier powerchair with flimsy forks in the 1950s, bending upon the user's first outdoor venture, still had them in the 1960s, and 1970s, and 1980s. Worse yet, because E&J monopolized the wheelchair market, it could all but charge what it wished, demanding $435 for a crude, hospital-type manual chair in 1973, a price that would even be expensive for that level of a wheelchair today, almost 30 years later. By its 1-millionth wheelchair in 1973, E&J demonstrated almost no regard for business ethics or consumers' needs - a shameful business culture that was publicly ridiculed, and rapidly catching up with E&J's executives. The U.S. Justice Department, in 1977, filed an antitrust suit against E&J, charging them with "monopolizing and attempting to monopolize the manufacture and sale of wheelchairs," a case that was settled in 1979.Whether it was as a result of the antitrust case or consumer discontent, the early 1980s brought a sharp increase in competition for E&J. Quickie brand chairs - ultralight, high-performance, sleek - showed E&J's chairs as prehistoric, and companies like Invacare and Fortress aggressively went after E&J's powerchair market with vastly superior products. E&J fell farther and farther behind the innovation curve and marketplace, becoming merely a me-too company, copying other's innovations years after a given design trend. As Quickie excelled in the mid-1980s, E&J tried to get in the sportschair market with its Mirage and Impulse sportschairs, failing miserably to a still-resentful consumer base, who saw through E&J's half-hearted attempts at revitalization. The following 15 years would carry E&J from where it once stood atop the world, to little more than a bit player in the wheelchair marketplace. Such E&J powerchair products as the Explorer, a Fortress knockoff, or the Lancer, an Arrow knockoff, or the Solaire, a Jazzy knockoff, all proved as downward stepping stones for the ailing company, resulting in its reorganization under bankruptcy protection at the eve of the 21st Century.Today, E&J doesn't rank anywhere near its once competition, entirely eclipsed. If Sunrise Medical, Pride, and Invacare are battling at the World Champion level, E&J barely has the strength to shadowbox itself. The question is, will E&J ever recover, regaining a meaningful share of the wheelchair market, or will it continue its path toward complete dissolution in the next few years? It's anyone's guess. However, one aspect is a given - no other company affected the lives of 20th Century wheelchair users as much as Everest and Jennings, for better and for worse, forever finding a place in wheelchair history.
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Aging Gracefully: Cutting-Edge Assistive Devices for the Elderly and Disabled
The Elderly and Disabled Assistive Devices Market includes medical equipment that is used to aid the disabled and elderly population to live independently. This includes mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters which help provide freedom of movement for those unable to walk. Other assistive devices include hearing aids, prosthetics and orthotics that help compensate for lost senses and limb mobility. The devices also include emergency response systems and monitoring devices for the safety of the elderly population. The global elderly population is rising rapidly due to increased life expectancy and declining birth rates. According to the United Nations, the number of people over the age of 60 years is projected to grow to nearly 2.1 billion by 2050 from 703 million currently. This rising elderly population base especially in developed nations is driving the demand for assistive devices that help provide independence and comfort to the aging population.
The Global Elderly and Disabled Assistive Devices Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 27.77 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.2% over the forecast period from 2023 to 2030.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the Elderly and Disabled Assistive Devices are Sonova Holding AG, Bausch & Lomb, Inc., Permobil AB, Siemens Healthcare, Freedom Scientific, Inc. Major players are focusing on new product launches, mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their market presence. For instance, in 2022 Permobil acquired US based auto chair manufacturer, Invacare.
The growing elderly population globally is driving the demand for assistive devices that help provide independence and mobility. As per the UN, the number of people over 60 years will reach up to 2.1 billion by 2050 from 703 million currently. This growing geriatric population base requires assistive devices for mobility, daily tasks and emergency response.
Geographically, North America dominated the elderly and disabled assistive devices market in 2020 owing to favorable reimbursement policies. However, Asia Pacific is expected to witness highest growth during the forecast period owing to increasing healthcare spending and burgeoning geriatric population.
Market Drivers
The rising incidence of disabilities globally due to increasing road accidents, chronic diseases and improved survival rates is a key growth driver for the elderly and disabled assistive devices market. According to WHO, over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. This growing disabled population requires assistive devices like wheelchairs, walkers and prosthetics to perform their daily activities. Moreover, favorable government regulations in the US and Europe regarding usage and insurance coverage of assistive technologies have encouraged adoption of these devices.
The current geopolitical tensions and uncertainties pose challenges for the elderly and disabled assistive devices market's global expansion efforts over the coming years. Regional conflicts and economic sanctions have disrupted supply chains and manufacturing hubs in certain parts of the world. This has led to delays and increased costs of developing and delivering assistive solutions to those who need them. To navigate such a dynamic external environment, companies must focus on building resilience within their operations. Diversifying supplier and manufacturing networks across different geographies can help mitigate over-dependency and single-point failures. Partnerships and alliances also offer opportunities to cooperate and strengthen cooperation even during politically challenging times.
Looking ahead, the market must increasingly localize operations to cater to regional preferences and address specific cultural needs of elderly populations. Customizing products based on local lifestyle habits, languages, affordability levels etc. can boost access and adoption. Governments too need to incentivize localized production through tax benefits and financing support. Collaborating with local healthcare providers also ensure last-mile connectivity and awareness. Overall, a flexible, adaptive approach balancing global expertise with local relevance will be key for sustained growth amid geopolitical headwinds.
In terms of geographical concentration, North America accounts for the largest share of the elderly and disabled assistive devices market currently, driven by extensive healthcare coverage and higher per capita spending power in countries like the US. Europe is another major revenue generator owing to supportive regulatory frameworks and aging demographics across Western nations. Looking at faster growth, the Asia Pacific region especially China is emerging as an area of focus for players. With rapidly expanding elderly populations and focus on accessibility, the market sees increased traction here over the next decade.
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Power wheelchair battery isolator for air travel
Immobilise electrical mobility equipment using two Anderson Connector end cap – ideal for air travel, the Anderson Connector is an economical and practical way to ensure your power chair or electrical mobility scooter is immobilised whilst in-flight. See below for product description below for details of how to use.
Available in 4 different sizes – fits most chairs, check your required plug size.
50A – May come in black or red
120A
175A
350A
The Aviation Authority now requires you to immobile electrical mobility equipment as standard, so it is important that you equip your wheelchair with an immobilisation device to ensure you can travel undisrupted.
This pair of two Anderson Connector covers fit internally to the SB-50, SB-175 and SB-350 wheelchair batteries, and features a wire lanyard which can be attached to the chair to avoid getting lost when not in use.
If these do not fit your chair you may return them for a refund.
Pack includes two caps, which fit most of the popular wheelchair batteries (eg Invacare).
Most airlines now ask power chair users to isolate the battery on their electric wheelchair before take off. The best and easiest way to do this is to plug in these caps. You need to disconnect the battery by disconnecting the two black leads as shown. The two caps supplied then fit safely and securely onto these ends.
When you have fitted them you can hand your chair over to the airport boarding staff at check-in or just before take-off. If you don't use these caps the airport staff may wrap the plugs with tape. This is very difficult to get off at the other end and may even damage your chair.
It was a lovely Easyjet steward who opened the powerchair to d/c the battery for me. All airport staff did was try to yank secure wires out!
— Slay Belle (@notwaving) July 2, 2016
http://disability-health-shop.myshopify.com/products/power-wheelchair-battery-isolator-for-air-travel
#Power chair isolators#Battery caps for wheelchair on flights#Air travel with a wheelchair#Isolating a wheelchair battery#Hi
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The fantasy wheelchair discourse on twitter has me tired because people either want a 1-1 duplicate of invacare manual chairs in a medieval setting, or they think that all fantasy magic can fix people with no consequences.
So I gotta ask, people who have a world/story/comic with magic, what worldbuilding do you have for disabilities?
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Raising Standards: Understanding Medical Lifting Slings Market Size, Share, and Trends
The global medical lifting slings market is valued at US$ 1.14 billion in 2023 and is predicted to expand rapidly at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2023 to 2033, estimates Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.
Patient lifting slings, Hoyer lift slings, and patient transfer slings are other names for medical lifting slings. People with mobility problems are lifted and transported with the use of a medical lifting sling, which is wrapped around and positioned beneath the patient. A medical lift sling is a device that supports the patient while they are receiving treatment in a hospital or other medical facility. Patient slings come in a variety of styles, including universal, full-body, and split-leg slings. When used properly, they offer several advantages, such as the lowered risk of damage to patients and caregivers.
Medical patient transfer slings are made up of nylon, mesh, and many other components, with a hydraulic lift, and are readily accessible in stores in the shape of a U or C. They are patient-friendly and simple to use. Rising prevalence of chronic disorders, the increasing number of senior population (as they are more prone to several disorders), and growing developments in healthcare infrastructure across the globe are boosting the medical lifting slings market growth quickly.
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Patient transfer slings are developing rapidly, but in several regions, it is seen that many caregivers are unaware of the functioning of technologically improved slings, which may hamper sales growth to some extent. North America and Europe are holding a strong position in the global medical lifting slings market. Asia Pacific market is expected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period.
Key Takeaways from Market Study
The global medical lifting slings market is projected to reach a valuation of US$ 3.11 billion by 2033.
China’s market is predicted to expand at a CAGR of 10% during the projected period (2023-2033).
Sales of medical lifting slings in Japan are expected to increase at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period.
Demand for universal slings is predicted to rise at a CAGR of 11.5% during the next 10 years.
“Rapidly increasing cases of traffic accidents across the world are boosting the demand for medical lifting slings,” says a Fact.MR analyst.
Segments of Medical Lifting Slings Industry Research
By Product :
Universal Slings
Seating Slings
Transfer Slings
Hammock Slings
Standing Slings
Bariatric Slings
Toilet Slings
By Material :
Nylon Slings
Padded Slings
Canvas Slings
Mesh Slings
By Usage :
Reusable Slings
Disposable Slings
Full Body Slings
U-shape Slings
By End User :
Hospitals
Home Care
Elderly Care Facilities
By Region :
North America
Latin America
Europe
East Asia
South Asia & Oceania
MEA
Winning Strategy
Some of the key manufacturers of medical lifting slings are Arjo AB, ArjoHuntleigh, Inc., Bestcare, LLC, DJO Global, Inc., Drive Medical, GF Health Products, Inc., Guldmann Inc., Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., Invacare Corporation, and Prism Medical Ltd. To increase their product offerings and sales revenue, several major market participants are introducing cutting-edge designs with advanced technologies.
Guldmann announced the introduction of a new sling strap using cutting-edge smart loop technology. The slings’ design reduces shearing pressures while boosting comfort.
Invacare Corporation, a well-known brand of patient lifting equipment, announced the launch of a cutting-edge patient lift solution for the American market in May 2022. The innovative patient lifting technology in the BirdieTM Evo XPLUS ensures the patient’s optimal comfort and safety when being transferred from a chair, the floor, or a bed.
AmeriGlide, a reputable stair lift manufacturer, announced the introduction of the AmeriGlide UP Stair Lift in July 2021. To ensure the highest level of safety when utilising it, the new stair lift is outfitted with advanced technologies.
Key Companies Profiled
Arjo AB
ArjoHuntleigh, Inc.
Bestcare, LLC
DJO Global, Inc.
Drive Medical
GF Health Products, Inc.
Guldmann Inc.
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.
Invacare Corporation
Prism Medical Ltd.
More Valuable Insights on Offer
Fact.MR, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global medical lifting slings market, presenting historical demand data (2018-2022) and forecast statistics for the period of 2023-2033.
The study divulges essential insights on the market on the basis of product (universal slings, seating slings, transfer slings, hammock slings, standing slings, bariatric slings, toilet slings), material (nylon slings, padded slings, canvas slings, mesh slings), usage (reusable slings, disposable slings, full body slings, U-shape slings), and end-user (hospitals, home care, elderly care facilities), across five major regions of the world (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and MEA)
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