#mobility assistance equipment

[mobi-crew]

Why Renting a Wheelchair Online in Mumbai is a Smart Choice

In a bustling city like Mumbai, navigating mobility challenges can be particularly difficult. Whether it's for short-term recovery, accommodating visitors, or long-term needs, renting a wheelchair online offers a convenient and cost-effective solution. This blog post explores the advantages of renting a wheelchair online in Mumbai.

1. Convenience and Accessibility:

Online Booking: Renting a wheelchair online eliminates the need to visit physical stores, saving time and effort.

Doorstep Delivery: Many online rental services offer doorstep delivery, ensuring the wheelchair is delivered directly to your home or desired location in Mumbai.

24/7 Availability: Online platforms often operate 24/7, allowing you to rent a wheelchair at any time, even during emergencies.

2. Cost-Effectiveness:

Affordable Rates: Renting a wheelchair online is typically more affordable than purchasing one, especially for short-term needs.

Flexible Rental Periods: Online platforms offer flexible rental periods, allowing you to rent a wheelchair for a few days, weeks, or months, depending on your requirements.

No Maintenance Costs: You don't have to worry about maintenance or repair costs, as the rental company is responsible for these expenses.

3. Wide Range of Options:

Variety of Wheelchair Types: Online rental services offer a wide range of wheelchair types, including standard wheelchairs, transport chairs, and specialized wheelchairs for specific needs.

Customization: Some platforms allow you to customize your rental, such as adding accessories or choosing specific features.

4. Hygiene and Quality Assurance:

Sanitized Equipment: Reputable online rental services ensure that wheelchairs are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before each rental.

Well-Maintained Equipment: They also maintain their equipment in good condition, ensuring safety and reliability.

5. Seamless Return Process:

Hassle-Free Return: Online platforms typically offer a hassle-free return process, with pickup options available.

6. Ideal for Short-Term Needs:

Post-Surgery Recovery: Renting a wheelchair is ideal for individuals recovering from surgery or injuries who require temporary mobility assistance.

Visitors with Mobility Issues: Renting a wheelchair is a convenient way to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges.

Travel: Renting a wheelchair at your destination can be more convenient than transporting your own.

7. Addressing Mumbai-Specific Challenges:

Navigating Crowded Spaces: Renting a lightweight and maneuverable wheelchair can make navigating Mumbai's crowded streets and public spaces easier.

Limited Storage Space: Renting eliminates the need to store a wheelchair when it's not in use, which is particularly beneficial in Mumbai's space-constrained apartments.

Choosing a Reputable Online Rental Service:

When renting a wheelchair online in Mumbai, consider:

Company Reputation: Choose a reputable company with positive reviews and a proven track record.

Customer Service: Ensure the company offers responsive customer service.

Delivery and Pickup Options: Check for convenient delivery and pickup options.

Rental Terms and Conditions: Carefully review the rental terms and conditions.

By opting for online wheelchair rentals, individuals in Mumbai can gain access to reliable mobility solutions with ease and convenience.

[sipulaiercelia]

www.cn-hospitalbed.com

[ezlivingconcepts]

Best Home Accessories for Elderly People: Enhancing Safety and Comfort 

Many older adults struggle with reduced mobility, arthritis, vision impairments, and balance issues, making it essential to design a living space that minimizes risks and enhances accessibility.

[globalunitedmedicalsuppliesinc]

When it comes to managing your health, having access to reliable medical equipment is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. At Global United Medical Supplies, Inc., we understand that the right medical devices can make all the difference in enhancing your quality of life. Whether you require mobility aids, respiratory support, or daily living assistance, dependability is key. Your health deserves nothing less than the best, and we are committed to providing equipment that ensures both safety and functionality.

[riding-with-the-wild-hunt]

compiling some mutual aid projects and nonprofits working in sudan. though depending on where you get your news you may not see very much coverage of the unfolding crisis, millions of people are in danger every day as the situation continues to deteriorate. i've been really astounded by the scale of your response to the earlier list of gazan initiatives, and i hope you extend the same support to these organizations too!

khartoum aid kitchen - currently running 12 community kitchen sites and supporting five others that collectively provide food for over 10,000 people

fill a heart - provides financial support to sudanese hospitals and families displaced in egypt. updates are available on their instagram.

sudan solidarity collective - supporting civil society organizations and providing psychological and educational programs for displaced people. can also donate through their paypal

darfur women action - runs programs for displaced women and girls

sudanese american physicians association - provides medical treatment and supports healthcare infrastructure

amal for women - currently focused on providing water, food, hygiene products, and shelter for displaced people. general projects include education programs for children, support and professional training for single mothers, and providing trauma care. also has a gofundme

hadhreen - provides food, water, solar panels for hospitals, children's educational programming, and a variety of other support services

hometax - provides necessities for displaced people, including food, shelter, and medical assistance. updates can be found on their instagram.

barana hanabneiho - originally focused on rebuilding and equipping schools, currently providing food, water, tents, mosquito nets, and weather-appropriate necessities to displaced people. they have an instagram and also accept donations through zeffy

saving algeneina initiative - provides a variety of necessities, including food, rain covers for tents, and medical care. works with displaced people in both sudan and chad.

sudanese red crescent society - runs health programs across all 18 states as well as delivering essential supplies

sadagaat - various initiatives including water stations and community kitchens

hope relief and rehabilitation for disabilities support (hrrds) - originally focused on disability justice programs. currently providing food, water, hygiene products, mobility aids, and other necessities with a focus on supporting disabled people and other vulnerable groups

medglobal's sudan emergency appeal - provides medical supplies, equipment for doctors, and fuel for hospitals

sudanese american medical association - provides food, water, and medical equipment, as well as training clinicians and sending extra doctors to hospitals

siha network - provides menstrual products and obstetric/gynecological care

as before, this is not an exhaustive list, so please feel free to add any similar initiatives or organizations you know of. and as always please donate whatever amount you can and share! every small action makes a difference, even if it feels inconsequential to you.

[curekahealthcarestore]

 Flamingo Classic Powered Wheelchair Premium

Flamingo Classic Powered Wheelchair has joystick control and is easy to operate for elders and patients. It is a personal mobility aid for indoors and outdoors. It has an 18-inch-wide seat with a back rest, an arm rest, and a footrest for more comfort.

https://www.cureka.com/shop/healthcare-devices/mobility-aids/wheel-chair/flamingo-classic-powered-wheelchair-premium/

[rakesh-snike]

Physiotherapy Treatment For Paralysis in Navi Mumbai

doctor of Sanjeevni Physiothery Clinic is expert in physiotherapy treatment For Paralysis in Navi Mumbai. Our experienced team helps you regain mobility, strength & independence. Contact us for a consultation!

https://sanjeevaniphysiotherapyclinic.com/physiotherapy-treatment-for-paralysis-navi-mumbai/

[gauricmi]

Wheelchair Cushions Market to Witness Significant Growth due to Rising Number of Road Accidents Wheelchair cushions play an important role in preventing pressure sores and ulcers by evenly distributing body weight. They provide comfort and support to wheelchair users. Foam and air-filled wheelchair cushions are commonly used as they offer cushioning, position stability and are lightweight. The demand for ergonomically designed wheelchair cushions is increasing with growing health awareness. The Global Wheelchair Cushions Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 562.3 Mn  in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.8% over the forecast period 2024 To 2031. Key Takeaways Key players operating in the Wheelchair Cushions Market Growth are Permobil, Varilite, Comfort Company, Invacare, Action Products, Ride Designs, Ki Mobility, Proactive Medical Products, Vicair, DYNAMIC HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS, Supracor, Etac AB, Supracor, Vermeiren Group, Trulife. The emerging economies offer lucrative growth opportunities for market players due to increasing healthcare expenditures and improving medical facilities. With the rising global geriatric population, companies are focusing on expanding their presence in Asia Pacific and Latin American countries with large unmet needs.

Get More Insights On This Topic: Wheelchair Cushions Market

[mobi-crew]

Tips For Choosing Right Health Services Provider - MobiCrew

Finding the correct healthcare provider is a critical decision that can substantially affect your health and well-being.

[reasonsforhope]

"For [Tanner] Green, the chief engineer at Not a Wheelchair, this is one of the thousand complications standing between his team and a rather lofty goal: upending the manual wheelchair marketplace.

If you’ve heard of Not a Wheelchair, it’s likely because of its owners, Zack Nelson, the star of the 8.8-million-subscriber YouTube channel JerryRigEverything, and his wife Cambry, a para and manual wheelchair user. The Nelsons got into the mobility equipment business a few years ago when they released The Rig, an electric, adaptive off-road device with a simple yet robust and functional design priced significantly lower than anything else on the market. Now, they’re bringing that same ethos to manual wheelchairs.

Not a Wheelchair aims to offer a base-model, custom manual wheelchair at a similar or better quality than most of the insurance-approved wheelchairs in the U.S. for $999.

Yes, that’s just under $1,000 for everything — wheels, handrims, tires, side guards and rigid, angle-adjustable backrest included. And the company plans to have a turnaround time of weeks, rather than the monthslong slog that it typically takes from order to delivery.

When I first heard about this, it sounded awesome and a bit far-fetched. It’s hard to find a pair of quality wheelchair wheels for less than $500. Same with a rigid backrest. How were they going to offer both, plus a custom wheelchair frame without compromising on quality? I drove to their headquarters in Utah to find out...

So how does Not a Wheelchair’s base model chair stack up to other options on the market? I hate to sound like a preacher, but … it’s totally reasonable! It hits the mark of being at least as good, if not better, than the majority of insurance-approved wheelchairs in the U.S.

Touring the factory, I saw other prototypes scattered all around the facility. There’s a beefier, four-wheel drive version of The Rig that the company just launched. There’s a track wheelchair that’s still in development. It’s clear that Not a Wheelchair doesn’t intend to stop at a simple, manual wheelchair. Inexpensive components, more advanced electric off-road devices, power assist, it’s all on the table. “We’re just really excited to see where this leads,” says Green."

-Article and video via New Mobility, October 1, 2024

[tacticalhimbo]

HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF

Since I'm incredibly anxious and very much annoyed, I'm compiling this post as a sort of master list of relief organizations and individual fundraisers for those in the path of Hurricane Helene.

Many of the links I post on this won't be individuals, but I encourage those within the path to add their links to this post in reblogs! Likewise, if you have any organizations / volunteer / grassroots efforts y'all would like to share, please do so!

LAST EDITED: 9/29/2024 - MAKE SURE TO CHECK REBLOGS FOR UPDATES!

My list is particularly focused on widely accessible resources, as well as Florida specific resources since... I'm from Florida.

(INTER)NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

American Red Cross - The American Red Cross is on the ground helping people as Hurricane Helene approaches land as a very dangerous storm. Helene may produce winds over 150 mph, a massive 20-foot-high storm surge and as much as a foot of rain. Prolonged power outages and tornadoes may occur. The effects will be felt hundreds of miles inland including in Georgia and the Carolinas.

FEMA Disaster Assistance Improvement Program - The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s (DAIP) mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.

Roll Mobility - An application that equips wheelchair users with reliable information about the accessibility of restaurants, public spaces, businesses, trails, and parking areas. Good information to have on hand, especially for those evacuating from their home areas.

Warmline Directory - Providing extensive yet accessible resources that empower individuals to find the mental health and wellness resources they need through a directory containing accurate and in-depth information. For those unfamiliar: Unlike a crisis line, a warm line operator is unlikely to call the police or have someone locked up if they talk about suicidal or self-harming thoughts or behaviors. A good resource for individuals in mental distress due to natural disaster circumstances.

Food Not Bombs - Recovers food that would have been discarded and share it as a way of protesting war and poverty. They also reduce food waste and meet the direct need of communities by collecting discarded food, preparing vegan meals that they share with the hungry while providing literature about the need to change our society. Food Not Bombs also provides food to protesters and striking workers and organizes food relief after natural and political crisis.

Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies - The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership) is the only U.S. disability-led, 501(c)(3) organization that prioritizes equity, access, disability rights, disability justice, and full inclusion of people with disabilities, older adults, and people with access and functional needs before, during and after disasters and emergencies.

FLORIDA

Volunteer Florida Disaster Fund - The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.

State and Local Level Referrals - When a disaster occurs, local governments often work together with community leaders and organizations to provide on-the-ground emergency management. Curated by FEMA. (Has 52 Organizations Listed)

GEORGIA

State and Local Level Referrals - When a disaster occurs, local governments often work together with community leaders and organizations to provide on-the-ground emergency management. Curated by FEMA. (Has 60 Organizations Listed)

TENNESSEE

State and Local Level Referrals - When a disaster occurs, local governments often work together with community leaders and organizations to provide on-the-ground emergency management. Curated by FEMA. (Has 49 Organizations Listed)

NORTH CAROLINA

State and Local Level Referrals - When a disaster occurs, local governments often work together with community leaders and organizations to provide on-the-ground emergency management. Curated by FEMA. (Has 45 Organizations Listed)

Beloved Asheville - A community-led coalition dedicated to providing home, healthy, equity, and opportunity for all.

Triangle NC - This links to another post I've made, but Triangle Mutual Aid is organizing supply drop offs as well as financial support.

SOUTH CAROLINA

State and Local Level Referrals - When a disaster occurs, local governments often work together with community leaders and organizations to provide on-the-ground emergency management. Curated by FEMA. (Has 44 Organizations Listed)

INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISERS

Support a Resilient Family Seeking a New Home - LINK ; Tumblr @junpei-iori-ace-defective (Close Friend of the Affected) | Fundraiser Text Below:

My name is Adam. I'm not the best at this; I never thought I'd have to do this, but my family and I lost our home on September 26th due to the hurricane Helene here in Florida. No one in our area thought it would get bad, but we didn't have any rain. All of a sudden, the water rose, and by midnight, our home was flooded with three feet of water. I had to carry our pets to the neighbors and my disabled wife through five feet of water. Then, my elderly disabled mother and grandmother through the water. We lost all of our clothes and many of our belongings, and our landlord will be having us move out. We have nowhere to go, so today I'm asking for help from the kindness of the world. Anything can help. If I can get enough to get us into a new home, it would be a blessing. Thank you all, and God bless.

Help Rebuild Lives After Devastating Flash Flood - LINK ; Tumblr @undeadnecromancer (Close Friend of the Affected) | Fundraiser Text Below:

On September 27, after being trapped in a flash flood for 5 hours, my father, Jeffrey Fuller, and sister, Kayla Fuller, left with their lives ❤️ but lost everything else. My father had set his life up to be simple and enjoyable. He didn't have a lot extra, but he had everything he needed, and now all of that is gone. Unfortunately, he did not have flood insurance, and the older you get, the harder it is to bounce back from something like this. For a man who has always shown up for everyone he loves, he needs us to show up now. Please help my father rebuild.

If you have seen the video circulating around from Jeffrey Fuller where it looks like a river is going through his house and he ends it with a “Love you all,” you have seen what has brought on this devastation.

Hurricane Helene Aftermath Help - LINK ; Tumblr @moonenjoyer (Affected Individual) | Fundraiser Text Below:

Man I hate to do this but I'm in Valdosta, one of the cities hit the worse by Hurricane Helene. It's BAD here. In particular, there's no estimate of when we'll get power back. Word on the street is it could be a week or longer.

I work from home and going without power that long, I won't be making any money. Meanwhile my groceries are all spoiled in a fridge with no power and my car is on E. All the gas stations are down atm and when they're back up I KNOW gas prices are going to be crazy high because of all of this. In fact, EVERYTHING is going to be more expensive for a while because of this.

If you have anything to spare to help me with gas and groceries and just surviving this, I'd really appreciate it. If not, a reblog/share would mean a lot. Thank you ❤️

Save Nate and Amanda's First Home - Urgent Hurricane Needs - LINK ; Tumblr @luckyfirerabbit (Affected Individual) | Fundraiser Text Below:

Hi. I'm Porter Henderson. This isn't about me, though. You’re going to see a lot of fundraisers with Hurricane Helene. This might be a little different.

You see, I’m writing this on behalf of my landlords and friends, Nate and Amanda. The home we share with an additional disabled man in Lithonia, Georgia had some repairs that they couldn't afford, made much worse by the hurricane. They'd been limping along like everyone dealing with inflation and underemployment, but the situation has become urgent, and they need and deserve help.

Nate and Amanda have been my friends for over a decade, and when they heard I was no longer able to work and in a bad situation, they offered me a place in their first home. I told them I wasn’t sure what or when I would be able to pay. They told me that if I ever won my disability case I could start paying rent then.

You see, I'm trying so hard to save this home because they’ve tried so hard to save me.

I was so grateful to move in, and they treated me like family. When I lost the ability to drive, they made sure I got to my doctor’s appointments, and still do. When I can’t afford food, they take me to food banks, and what I can’t find there they’ll help me get at the store. They meet all the needs they could reasonably meet, and then a couple more.

I’ve lived here for three years now, and they’ve never stopped assuring me that I am wanted, even if I can’t contribute to the household on a daily basis. They have never let me go without if there was any other way. They have helped friends and strangers every time they have seen a need. They are unfailingly honest, incredibly trustworthy, and extremely hardworking people.

They've never had much, but they've shared everything they have.

Now, though, the hurricane turned a seem in our roof into a gushing waterfall, and finally into a large hole in Nate and Amanda's bedroom ceiling.

We tarped the leaking roof from the inside to channel out as much water as we could, but with a literal hurricane outside, there’s only so much that you can do.

The three of us who couldn’t get into the attic pushed our chronically ill bodies past their limits, dragging furniture away from walls, hauling totes as fast as we could with our canes, shoving empty containers into the corner as we kicked the debris out, and researching strategies for how to deal with the nightmare. Later we would wade through flooding water to dump out rain and tie down loose trash cans, shine lights and relay directions from the attic to outside, as we all attempted to get the water venting outside the house.

To make matters worse, the HVAC needs to be replaced. It’s a seventeen year old system, with a huge crack in the (inaccessible) drain pan and a bad motherboard. Some friends pooled money with Nate and Amanda to get a couple of window air conditioners for the summer. With medications that make three of us sensitive to heat, it’s been a rough summer, but we got through.

Unfortunately, winter is a few weeks away, and it’s going to be a little less than seventeen thousand for a new system to be installed.

What makes it an emergency however, is that without the drying and air movement of the AC, trying to dehumidify everything is going to be even harder, giving us a greater chance of mold. If mold takes hold, I'm not sure if we can save the house.

This fundraiser is for the $2,500 hurricane deductible that we're almost certainly going to be charged by the homeowner's policy and the $17,000 for the HVAC, plus estimated fees for the platform.

Not included in the total are any cleaning supplies, or a tiny storage unit and rental truck if we need one to store all of their bedroom furniture while the roof is redone. (We won't know about any of that until we get the estimate from insurance/roofing.) The claim has already been filed.

The air conditioning is a pre-existing problem, and I've found no way for it to be covered by any charity, government program, or private programs in the state. The ones that my social worker knew about didn't apply (I applied anyway) and I let her know about two more that I found. The religious groups I've reached out to in my area don't work in anything but clothing, children's furniture, and durable medical goods.

If additional costs emerge, or anything ends up being less expensive, I will update and adjust the goal accordingly as soon as I find out.

Please help these genuinely good people. The smallest donation helps. So does sharing.

Thank you in advance.

[flowercrowncrip]

I feel like in the disabled community we all (or at least mostly all) know that when we hear things like “I’m sorry, we can’t have wheelchair users at this concert venue because you’re a health and safety/ fire risk” it’s lazy and it’s ableism. So why did I experience what to me feels like a form of this at Naidex (the UK’s largest disability event)?

One of the things that I was looking forward to when going to Naidex for the first time was trying out some of the fancy complex rehab power chairs. I was really hoping to try a chair that has the ability to “stand up”. Not so much because I wanted to buy one but because I haven’t been able to stand in almost a decade now and I just wanted to see what it would be like on my body. I also wanted to try some off road chairs, and a chair that was able to lie down flat because I think I’d benefit from one if I ever got the chance (and money) to use one.

So I went to a stand to ask if I could try one out and the wheelchair rep there said he was really sorry but the organisers had told him that he wasn’t allowed to let me because I transfer using a hoist because it was a “health and safety concern” and “prohibited by the events insurance”. Apparently they were being really strict about enforcing this.

Which made absolutely zero sense to me because there were at least four hoists in use at the expo. Three changing places toilets were fitted with ceiling hoists, and the adapted climbing wall had a mobile hoist which they used to lift me so they could fit the adapted harness under me in my chair.

The wheelchair rep also told me that they could assist with lateral transfers, which in my experience is probably more likely to result in a fall than a hoist transfer done correctly.

The only thing I can think of was that all the other hoists were being used in sectioned off areas like toilets, or the climbing area which had a fence around. The only possible risk I would be slightly concerned about was someone walking into the hoist mid transfer. But if that’s the case, why not have a designated sectioned off hoisting area where that’s not going to happen? And why would you not be concerned about the same thing happening with a lateral transfer?

The wheelchair rep I spoke to was really apologetic and couldn’t understand it either. He said that his company was insured, trained and had the equipment needed to hoist people, and that a lateral transfer carried most of the same risks.

It felt really unfair because so much of the marketing for the event was around getting to try a variety of complex rehab powerchairs, and they really leaned into the high tech, futuristic appearance of these chairs. But a huge percentage of the people who would most benefit from these chairs couldn’t use them because we weren’t allowed to be hoisted “for insurance reasons”.

Again, this was an event where I was hoisted into a full body climbing harness before being winched up an entire climbing wall. But somehow they couldn’t find a way for me to be hoisted into a wheelchair like I am several times a day.

Overall the event was brilliant and I got so much out of it. It just left a really bad taste in my mouth that the aesthetics of the equipment used and needed by severely disabled people was used so heavily in the marketing, but we weren’t given equal access to actually trying it out.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

tips on writing physically disabled (wheelchair bound) characters?

Writing Notes: Characters Using a Wheelchair

"Wheelchair/wheelchair-bound/confined to a wheelchair"

People who use mobility equipment such as a wheelchair, scooter or cane consider the equipment part of their personal space, according to the United Spinal Association.

People who use wheelchairs have widely different disabilities and varying abilities.

National Center on Disability and Journalism Recommendation: It is acceptable to describe a person as “someone who uses a wheelchair,” followed by an explanation of why the equipment is required. Avoid “confined to a wheelchair” or “wheelchair-bound” as these terms describe a person only in relationship to a piece of equipment. The terms also are misleading, as wheelchairs can liberate people, allowing them to move about, and they are inaccurate, as people who use wheelchairs are not permanently confined to them but are transferred to sleep, sit in chairs, drive cars, etc.

Other terms to use: “wheelchair user” or “person who uses a wheelchair.”

Wheelchair

A chair with wheels to help people move around.

Used by individuals who have impairments that limit their ability to walk.

Typically consists of a seat supported on two large wheels attached towards the back of the seat and two small wheels (castors) in front near the feet, a good braking system, footrests and a cushion. There are often small additional features to prevent toppling or to assist in mounting curbs.

The user moves by pushing with his/her hands circular bars on the outside of the large wheels, known as the hand-rim or push rings.

Types of Wheelchairs

Based on variations in the basic design, there are many types of wheelchairs, with being highly customized to suit individual needs.

Manual wheelchairs are mostly propelled by the user. Other features such as foot/leg rests, front caster outriggers, adjustable backrests and controls can be added to the basic model. The seat size (width and depth), seat-to-floor height, seat angle (also called seat dump or squeeze) relative to the horizontal plane can be modified. Users who have specialized needs may opt for a custom-built wheelchair.

Attendant-propelled chairs are designed to be propelled by an attendant using the handles, and thus the back wheels are often rimless and smaller. These chairs are often used as ‘transfer chairs’ possibly within a hospital or airport to move a mobility-impaired person when a better alternative or a user’s standard chair is unavailable.

A rigid frame wheelchair is usually a non-folding type with a base of support on which the person sits. In some models, the backrest of the chair can be folded down, and the wheels have a quick release mechanism to enable easy transportation and storage.

A folding frame wheelchair is one whose frame is collapsible sideways by the use of an “X” mechanism in the frame. This mechanism is lockable, and the wheelchair folds on release of two locking levers on the chair.

A motorized wheelchair, power chair, electric wheelchair or electric-powered wheelchair is propelled by means of an electric motor rather than manual power. Motorized wheelchairs are useful for those unable to propel a manual wheelchair or who may need to use a wheelchair for distances or over terrain which would be fatiguing in a manual wheelchair. They may also be used by people with cardiovascular and fatigue-based conditions.

Interacting with People with Mobility Disabilities

Do not push or touch a person’s wheelchair/scooter without their permission – a wheelchair is part of the personal body space of the person.

Try to ensure there is space in your waiting room and your office for someone in a wheelchair or scooter to comfortably wait in their chair.

If you are speaking with a person who uses a wheelchair or a person who uses a mobility device for more than a few minutes, place yourself at eye level in front of the person to facilitate the conversation.

Writing about People with Disabilities

Words are powerful. The words we use and the way we portray individuals with disabilities matters. Below is a guide for portraying individuals with disabilities in a respectful and balanced way by using language that is accurate, neutral and objective.

Emphasize abilities, not limitations. Choosing language that emphasizes what people can do instead of what they can’t do is empowering.

Use language that emphasizes the need for accessibility rather than the presence of a disability. Examples: "Accessible" not "handicapped" parking; "Accessible" not "disabled" restroom

Portray successful people with disabilities in a balanced way, not as heroic or superhuman. Do not make assumptions by saying a person with a disability is heroic or inspiring because they are simply living their lives. Stereotypes may raise false expectations that everyone with a disability is or should be an inspiration. People may be inspired by them just as they may be inspired by anyone else. Everyone faces challenges in life.

Do not mention someone’s disability unless it is essential to the story It is okay to identify a person’s disability when it is necessary for clarity or provides important information. For instance, “Virali, who uses a wheelchair, spoke about her experience with using accessible transportation” is totally fine, since it adds a new layer to the story. In other instances, the disability may be irrelevant. For example, do not say, “Charles, who has a congenital disability, wants more sugar in his caramel espresso.”

Create balanced human-interest stories instead of tear-jerking stories. Tearjerkers about incurable diseases, congenital disabilities or severe injury that are intended to elicit pity perpetuate negative stereotypes.

In the 1990s, some health care and disability activists introduced the term “differently abled” as a substitute for the term “disabled.” While well-meaning, this term is euphemistic and works to avoid talking about a person’s disability in honest and specific terms (critics point out that in a pure dictionary definition, everyone is “differently abled”). Use of the term waned in the mid-2000s, and now many individuals in the disability community consider this term condescending or offensive.

Best Practices around Terminology for Disabilities

A foundational part of disability rights is using the right language and terminology to be respectful to members of the disability community. Here are a few best practices:

Avoid outdated terms. There are a number of terms for people with disabilities that are outdated, ableist, and potentially offensive to members of the disability community—terms include “differently abled” (and “the differently abled”), “handicapped”, “special needs” or “special education”, “wheelchair-bound” (as opposed to “is a wheelchair user”), and “cripple.” All of these terms have negative connotations, either because they serve as euphemisms or because they suggest that people with disabilities have a worse quality of life than people without; avoid these terms and replace them with more appropriate terms.

Consider how you describe nondisabled people. In addition to appropriate terms for people with disabilities, there are appropriate terms to use when describing people without disabilities. Avoid words like “normal,” “able,” “abled people,” or “able-bodied,” since these inappropriately suggest that those with disabilities are abnormal or do not have able bodies; instead, use language like “people without disabilities,” “nondisabled,” or “enabled.”

Learn whether to use “people-first” or “identity-first” language. Just as with any other group, people with disabilities are not a monolith. When talking about people with disabilities, remember that they are multifaceted human beings rather than an easily categorized group. To reflect this, opt to use person-first language whenever possible—for example, “a person with epilepsy” rather than “an epileptic person,” or “a person with blindness” rather than “a blind person”—to emphasize the individual and avoid letting their disability serve as their only defining quality. However, some communities prefer identity-first language over people-first language—for example, many people in the deaf community who use sign language prefer the term “deaf person” to the term “person who is hard of hearing,” and many people with autism prefer the term “autistic person.” Always use the individual’s preferred terms.

Refer to a person’s specific disability. Where relevant, avoid referring to people with disabilities as a homogenous group—the range of disabilities varies wildly, and individuals with disabilities have very different experiences depending on their condition and other factors. In addition, avoid the phrase “the disabled” and be careful when using broad terms like “cognitive disability” or “learning disability” when it would be more specific and appropriate to mention their exact condition. Instead, when discussing a person’s disability, use words that refer to their specific condition—for instance, as a person with ADHD—to respect their unique experience and needs.

Respect individual preferences. Individuals have different preferences when it comes to discussing their disabilities, and some people prefer particular terms over others—for example, many people with dwarfism prefer the term “person of short stature” or “little person.” Learn the individual preferences of the people around you to use their preferred terms.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References

Thanks for the question, learned some new things from these notes as well. Hope this helps with your writing!

EDIT 1:

Ambulatory wheelchair users

Individuals who, despite having the ability to walk short distances, rely on wheelchairs for mobility due to various health conditions.

Can walk but need wheelchairs for longer distances or when experiencing fatigue. Conditions like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, or other mobility-impairing diseases often necessitate this dual mobility approach.

Many ambulatory wheelchair users report being judged, stigmatised or accused of faking their disabilities to cheat their way into support.

EDIT 2:

"Helping me without permission is disrespectful. I understand how to stay safe, and I am not a pawn to advance the agenda of others."

"I’ve discovered that the greatest fear that keeps people from traveling is the thought of a damaged wheelchair"

"The earlier you inform airlines of your plans to travel with a power wheelchair, the more time they will have to prepare."

Wheelchair Assistance at the Airport and on the Aircraft

Building a Wheelchair Accessible Carriage

Thanks so much @anumberofhobbies for sharing additional information and your experiences on this topic. And please give the two orange helpers each a pet (and maybe a little treat) from me <3

[curekahealthcarestore]

Flamingo Classic Powered Wheelchair Basic Universal OC2281 

Flamingo electrical wheelchairs with multiple features are safe and comfortable for elders and patients. It is easy to operate with a joystick indoors and outdoors. That is made of light-weight aluminum materials, so it can be maneuvered easily.

https://www.cureka.com/shop/healthcare-devices/mobility-aids/wheel-chair/flamingo-classic-powered-wheelchair-basic/

[darkskywishes]

Being disabled/chronically ill is expensive!

I don't know if people realize how freaking expensive it is to be disabled. I have a complex medical history, which includes two rare genetic illnesses, comorbidities associated with those two illnesses, and several mental health conditions. Just to give an idea of how expensive it is (USA-centric):

I'm forced into living in a specific city, since that's where the medical specialists for my illnesses are located in. On top of that, sometimes the specific specialists I need aren’t covered by my insurance, so I have to pay out-of-pocket. Each medical specialist (when covered by insurance) costs me $40/visit. I average 2-3 visits per month.

Wheelchairs and everything related to wheelchairs are ridiculously priced! If you’re a regular manual wheelchair user, for example, you likely need what’s referred to as a “custom ultra-lightweight wheelchair”. The main companies known for making these wheelchairs are TiLite, Quickie, RGK, Kuschall, and Ki Mobility. If you go on the websites for these manufacturers, you’ll see that just the frame will start you at $2,000+. Need titanium instead of aluminum to make the chair lighter? Extra $1,000. Need to add a seat cushion? More $$. Need to add a power assist device like a SmartDrive? Extra $6-7,000

Seriously, wheelchair parts are expensive. Manual wheelchair wheels will run you about $500 to $800 each (take a look at websites like Spinergy to see what I mean). Wheelchair tires will run at about $300 for the pair.

Mental healthcare! Competent psychiatric care is difficult to come by, at least where I live. Most psychiatrists are not contracted with any insurance companies. My own psychiatrist is $200 per visit, and that’s considered cheap in my area. Then, add on the cost of weekly therapy. My therapist is $150/session. Again, typical price for the area. Need residential treatment? As an example, my insurance quoted me $750 per day until the out-of-pocket max of $6,500 was met.

The monthly cost of medications! I take 7 medications. Even if each medication was “only” $10/month, that would total to $70/month.

The cost of specialized diets. Many chronic illnesses require special foods, supplements, and overall diets. A lot of these diets require extra time and expenses beyond what the average non-disabled person spends.

I wanted to spread some awareness on this issue because, even among my friend group, I regularly get surprised reactions on this topic. Disabled people are often low-income due to being unable to work consistently or at all, while also having some of the highest expenses—with many of those expenses having to be paid for completely out-of-pocket. While a lot of the examples I used above were specific to the US healthcare system, I’m aware that it’s still similarly expensive to be disabled in other countries as well.

A lot of this wasn’t even taking into consideration the cost of more expensive medical equipment, like power chairs, as well as irregular medical costs that occur more frequently among disabled people—like surgeries, hospitalizations, and the cost of diagnostic testing (MRIs, X-Rays, bloodwork, etc.).

Disabled people are taken advantage of when it comes to the price of medical equipment and medications because we don’t have a choice if we want to live and/or have any quality of life. We pay it, or we suffer.

[yazan-family2]

Help my family survive the inferno of war and restore hope and a dignified life to us🚨💔🙏🕊️

My name is Mohammad Taysir a 34-year-old Palestinian from Gaza. 🇵🇸 I used to live with my family, which includes my parents, my wife, and my two children, Jude, who is 4 years old, and Yazan, who is 3 years old, in a simple home filled with love and warmth. 🏠❤️ I was striving to provide a decent life for my family despite the enormous challenges in Gaza. 🌟 We lived with the hope that the future would bring better days, but the recent war turned our lives upside down. 💔

I used to work as a mobile app developer, a field I loved and dedicated years of my life to mastering. 💻❤️ My job was our primary source of income, enabling me to provide for my family and give my children a chance for education and a stable life. 🎓👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 I used to spend long hours developing applications, dreaming of contributing to the growth of this field in Gaza. 🌟📱 However, with the war, everything suddenly came to a halt. 💔 I lost all my devices and equipment, and I no longer have even the basic environment to continue my work. 🛠️❌ Now, I am unemployed and face daily challenges in securing my family's basic needs. 🥺🍞

One harsh morning, everything changed. Our home was destroyed in an instant due to intense bombing, reduced to nothing but a pile of rubble. 💔 We lost our memories, our safety, and everything we had built over the years. That place, which was a shelter for our dreams and cherished moments, became nothing more than a painful memory. 🏠➡️🪨 The most devastating part was that my father didn’t survive; he passed away, leaving a huge void in our lives. 😢 The feeling of helplessness and shock was unbearable, especially as I suddenly found myself searching for a refuge for my family amidst this destruction. 🌪️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Partial Demolition Damages

After it was completely destroyed

We were displaced to the south, to one of the shelter schools, where this temporary place has become our daily reality. Life here feels like a constant struggle; we suffer from severe shortages of food and water, often going to bed hungry or sharing small bites among us. 🍞💧 Medicines are almost nonexistent, leaving us in constant fear for my children’s health, especially with the spread of diseases in this overcrowded space. 😷 The lack of privacy and the biting cold rob us of sleep. 🥶 Every day is a battle for survival, and I try to endure it all with patience, just to give my family a glimmer of hope amidst this never-ending suffering. 🌟

I write to you today in desperate need of your support—not just for us, but for everyone who has lost their home and family in this war. 💔🏠 Your donation could be the hope that helps us rebuild a better life. 🌟 Any assistance you provide, no matter how small, will make a huge difference in our lives. 🙏 In these difficult times, all I can do is humbly ask you to extend a helping hand to us, to restore some hope for the future. 🤲✨ You are the source of goodness, and every donation from you is a ray of light in our lives. 💖🌈