If you are obtaining an attendant-propelled chair, ensure your carer is fit and strong enough to push the chair and manage obstacles such as kerbs. Fortunately, tire and wheel manufacturers across the world have finally gotten on the same page and use a two-number system that does a much better job of keeping your head from exploding. Wheel size, chair geometry and rolling resistance are just a few things to consider when selecting tires, and the simple act of putting wider tires on your chair can have a big impact on its fit and performance. Your feet should not ‘dangle’ but be supported by the footplates, preventing all the weight of your legs being carried on the back of your thighs. a voucher for the amount of the appropriate wheelchair plus contribution toward repair and maintenance, allowing you to top-up and purchase a wheelchair in line with your preferences which are additional to the assessed need.

If you, or the person you care for, are in receipt of continuing care funding, you are unlikely to have a chair funded through the wheelchair service, although they may provide the assessment.

Some attendant propelled wheelchairs are intended for occasional short journeys indoors and/or outdoors. There are usually heel straps attached to the footrests which cup your heels and prevent your feet slipping backwards. They are fitted very easily and offer a full conversion to a powered chair with a joystick; or giving a level of assistance, which takes some of the strain out of manually driving a chair, or for the carer pushing. Remember – however you transfer, you must ensure that you put the wheelchair brakes on before you get in or out of the chair.

Some people choose to propel themselves in the chair by using their feet, or one foot, to scoot across the floor surface, whilst using the wheel rims to assist with steering.

You can be referred to your local wheelchair service via your GP or another healthcare professional. Children who receive a wheelchair from the NHS wheelchair service will receive basic training in the safe use of the wheelchair. Make sure you are seated comfortably and well-supported, with your back as straight as possible and with your hips at 90 degrees (a right angle) and your feet flat on the floor.

Look to see how these mechanisms are operated - can they be used by the person in the wheelchair, or will help be required? Consider the most appropriate fitting for your chair and your ability to reach to guide your choice.Most chairs have removable armrests which may be useful to you if you slide transfer - perhaps when moving to and from a car or the bed.

Wheelchair users also sometimes ask where they can get a set, but that question requires a much more involved answer. What is flawed with this system is that it measures the outside diameter of a tire, and the outside diameter changes based on the width of the inflated tire. Self-propelled chairs require the user to use their upper limb, body and grip strength to move the wheelchair, usually by grasping the wheel rims and moving the wheel, and thereby the chair, in the chosen direction. Your remaining level of mobility may dictate how you get in and out of the chair and which features you may need as part of the chair. For us, design is not only a matter of personal taste, but also a way to develop innovative and successful products.

The relevant pressure points might be the bony prominences of your bottom and hips, the base of your spine and the back of your knees. You also need take into account the abilities and needs of any person who will be helping you, including possibly lifting the chair and carrying out basic maintenance tasks. RED's unique body contour sling design is the perfect comfortable fit for any body type and we are the only company to use best quality 4mm bridle butt leather in our master leather sling — you wouldn't want to ride in anything less. There is a large market in second hand mobility equipment, including schemes run by commercial suppliers.