WALKERS AND WHEELCHAIRS
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The Ergonomically Designed Walker, is it a walker or a crutch? Hard to define or pigeonhole into one category, it's actually both, and more. This ingenious design was first introduced to the amputee population at the ACA meeting back in Nashville.
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As you can see from the pictures, it's a hybrid of a crutch one can sit on as well as with with. It minimizes shoulder and arm strain, while allowing for both mobility and stability. There have been a number of hip disarticulation amputees who have found this device particularly helpful according to the developer, Joseph Schrader. He will gladly put you in touch with satisfied customers and more information can be found at:
Hartford
Walking Systems, Inc.
22 Pearl Street
New Hartford, NY 13413
(315) 735-1659
www.theedwalker.com
WALKERS
These may be very helpful for a brand new amputee who hasn’t regained the stamina necessary to use a cane or crutches. The elderly and those suffering from various medical conditions such as heart or lung disease may find use of a walker less strenuous. However, do not believe the common misconception that a walker can’t tip over, it can. You MUST be able to balance on one leg long enough to move the walker forward safely. Although a walker with wheels may be easier to move along, it will not work at home over thick carpeting. Think about where you’ll be going with your walker and what type of floors you have in your home before buying one.
The same types of tote and shopping bags may also be attached to a walker for your convenience. So check out those options as well from the resources mentioned previously.
WHEELCHAIRS
Frankly I’m at a bit of a loss here and need your input. Your personal recommendations are appreciated. I do know that shopping for a wheelchair is like shopping for a car. Look for the one that suits your needs, that’s affordable, ask about warrantees and if at all possible, test drive before you buy. Talk to others about what works and what doesn’t. Be aware of the pitfalls.
An excellent resource to learn about what’s available in wheelchairs is a magazine called "Accent on Living". This is published by Raymond C. Cheever, a post polio survivor. In the authors opinion this publication is extremely informative for anyone who relies on a wheelchair or scooter for mobility. Although primarily oriented to post polio, spinal cord injured, and MS individuals, the information provided is more than applicable for those HP’s and HD’s who use a wheelchair for mobility. They also cover scooters, vans, traveling with a wheelchair, and many other useful topics. For a variety of ingenious helpful tools such as folding reachers, be sure to request their catalogue of books, videos and products.
Accent on Living
(800) 787-8444
e-mail: acntlvng@aol.com
Many thanks to Mario for providing the following information:
There really isn't any limit to the number of sports someone with a hip disartic can participate in. It's just a matter of making the appropriate modifications for the individual with his or her manual wheelchair. (There's always a trade off between comfort and performance.) Most sports are going to require a lightweight wheelchair designed and set-up specifically for sports.
Many people who are amputees do not have the luxury of owning two or more chairs and quite often, their primary chair is also doubling as their sports chair. Here is where some choices have to be made concerning performance vs. comfort meaning that the more responsive the chair generally means sacrificing comfort in some areas. The narrower the chair and more form fitting, the better for sports, but not necessarily for everyday use.
A shorter wheelbase, (rear wheels to front casters,) sport wheels with heat-treated rims, and high-pressure tires, (110 psi,) rollerblade and/or 3" front casters over the more standard 5" front casters. Camber is also a big issue. (When you look at a sports chair head on, the top of the wheels appear to lean toward the chair while the base of the wheels tend to be much further away.) The greater the camber, the better the chair turns and the more stable it is, but overall dimensions create problems in getting through tight spaces, i.e., accessibility. (A real bummer for everyday use!)
Most people who own one chair usually have a "folder," but a "rigid" frame is far superior for sports. Now days it's like buying shoes or gloves. You want to order a chair (if you are starting from scratch,) from a reputable dealer and have him measure you to ensure a good fit. Remember the three bears? - Not too big or too little, but just right. Also you may ask about demo chairs so that you can get a good idea what features you may want.
This is a process just like having a prosthesis fitted. It takes time, and experience and it's very likely that you will go through a few chairs before you find one that works well for what you do in it. Wheelchairs are becoming very sports specific, but that doesn't mean that you can not find a chair that can be used as a good all-around sports chair. You usually can tell the difference between the recreational athlete and the competitive athlete in the chairs they use. Some elite athletes, who compete at the international level and who hold world records and/or are leaders in their sports often have endorsements and are sponsored by one of the major wheelchair manufacturers.
Probably the most difficult issue regarding chairs has to do with the junior
competitors where often times the parents have to make some serious monetary
commitment to outfit their children in suitable sports chairs. My suggestion for
coping with this is to first ask your insurance company what they will and will
not allow in selecting and purchasing a chair. Secondly, going into the used
chair market and finding something that works well and is still affordable, and
third, to go through recreational and/or rehab facilities that have a surplus of
chairs that can be loaned out and fourth, working with local charities to
subsidize your purchase.
