Pros and cons of wheelchair use

Harlansmummy

I know my doctor is very keen for me to walk when at all physically possible, despite pain, and I understand that this is because I could lose muscle tone if using a wheelchair a lot. I currently use crutches to walk if it is further than the house to the car but am still in tears from pain by the time I've got round Tesco or the park.

However, at the moment I struggle to go out, I miss out on family days out, trips to the park etc which is bad for my mental health. I've borrowed FILs wheelchair on a few occasions and found it extremely helpful.

I am seriously considering getting a wheelchair (privately probably, as I have heard that the NHS ones tend to be very heavy) to give me a bit more freedom. I do have a mobility scooter but it is waiting to be fixed and it does not fit in my little car

I would appreciate your thoughts as to whether this is a terrible idea or not

barbara12

Hello
Im in the same predicament, I have always loved to walk and use to go for miles, but we went to Spain last year, and it was so hard getting about, I thought this is stupid I could be going along the sea front and enjoying myself, so we hired one, the only thing that worried me was how hard it was for the ones that were pushing, but they said it was quite easy.
There are lots of wheelchair types, I do know that the red cross will loan you one for free, so it will give you a chance to see how you feel in it.
Another thing if you go to a mobility shop they are brilliant, and can advise and let you try them out.
Good luck with it.

mouseymousey

I have an NHS wheelchair, and it only comes out for airports and situations where I would have to walk a long distance. My 'thing' is to keep moving (at all costs), under my own steam. I'm very aware of my weight which I try to keep down. Extra weight puts strain on your joints.
Its horses for courses really, and we are all different. Physio's would advise you to keep moving, but its your life and only you can decide? I know how frustrating it can be, and everyone else has to slow down to to your pace. Maybe you just need to hire a buggy now and again?

dreamdaisy

Hello, I empathise and understand completely. I have been on crutches since 2002 but I was reaching the point where they were not giving sufficient support so before Christmas I bought a four-wheeled walker, complete with a seat and a small basket. I have found that I can walk further - and last longer - thanks to this. I am also in a more upright position, I can rest my hands on the handles to steer, I don't need to grip and all in all I am very pleased with it. I'm not saying that this might be an answer for you but it might be worth a consideration. Mine cost £65. Getting a chair is not a terrible idea, far from it, I know I will be getting one in due course so then I'll have three aid options open to me which can only be a good thing. DD

fowls48

Hi

I think that if the wheel chair will help you get out more then go for it .you could always conbine it with a bit of walking and a bit of riding .As someone pointed out there are mobility shops where you can rent or if you are able try the N.H.S .

Good luck with this i wish you well .

karen xx

julie47

Hi

I say, if it is going to help you interact with your family more then you get one

as Karen has said you can always get out and push it a little while then get back in when you are tired.

Love Julie PF X

jillyb1

Go for it ! Best thing I ever did in getting myself a wheel chair as it means I can be included in family outings once more . Jillyb

phoenixoxo

Hi Harlansmummy,

I’m with the others: get wheelin'! If you're worried about losing muscle tone, perhaps you could speak to the physios about getting a new exercise regime to make up for less exercise outdoors. That's what I did when I became a powerchair user. Plus there's always swimming, or hydro might be worth a go.

Best wishes,
Phoebe

hileena111

Hi
I'm in much the same position. I have a scooter but its too heavy for me to take to pieces and put in my car ......and it wouldnt go in my little car anyway :oops:
I bought a 4 wheel rollator....with seat and basket....because I thought "use it or lose it" {i could walk about 10 mins and 10 mins back to the car and that was it} Now in our shppping center I can do about 3 hours....thats with 2 coffee stops {just about 10/15mins each}
It has made such a difference and at least I'm getting some exercise. This goes in my car no problem.
Why doint you think of that before a wheelchair??
I hired one for a week to see if it would help me and it did then I bought mine.
Love
Hileena

stickywicket

I'm with the others. I have a wheelchair (NHS and particularly heavy) but I walk whenever I can. There are two equally important things here - (a) not to miss out on stuff and (b)to keep exercising those muscles. They're not mutually exclusive. I exercise every day (on the bed) but I also use the chair for family outings, airports or just our 'wheelchair walks' where I walk a bit then ride a bit then walk a bit etc. Doing both gives youi the best of both worlds.

frogmorton

I think We should

Walk when possible and as much as possible (helps with weight/prevention of muscle loss/risk of DVTs etc), BUT it is a sensible idea if you have family who want to do things and you are either left out or holding them back.

Some folks on here have scooters so they can 'walk' alongside the family too. Not a cheap option of course.

I know I would go for it Harlansmummy

Love

Toni xxx

dachshund

Hello Harlansmummy.
i have a scoota when i go to the shops i leave it out side and walk around the shop then back home on the scoota.
when i'm sat in my wheelchair i use my legsas if i'm walking
then i can carry things as i go.
joan xx

merri

Pro number 1:
Your OH might decide it's a good idea to speed you towards glass double doors and let go....

I have one, we bought it for when we went out to places like Cadbury World etc. It's very handy but if we go out to the supermarket I use one of their scooters as I couldn't work around, same if we go out shopping I look up and use the shopmobility service so hire a scooter.

I do still walk but find that this way is a compromise. If I desperately need it as I just can't walk I can still go out but if I'm not too bad I can plod along at my snail pace knowing it's in the boot if I get worse.

stickywicket

A late amendment to my previous post. It should have read that my NHS wheelchair is NOT particularly heavy.

vwkamper

Hi,

I use a four wheel walker and yes it has given me the freedom i need i still get pain but it gets me out and that's what counts.

I don't have the luxury of good arms or hands so a wheelchair is out for me as i did give my husbands a go but i couldn't move it a foot.

Give the walker a try i'm glad i did.

Lexy.

heyjude

Hi there,

I got a wheelchair 15 years ago after the family had an outing to Alton Towers; I only made it to the first ride after that I really held everyone up for the rest of the day. We had a holiday booked in Italy, our 1st ever, later that year and I realised I wouldn't be able to queue to go on bust trips or keep up with the tour leader etc and that would also hold my hubby up and he wouldn't be able to go places because of me so I got a chair. I've never looked back and I do what everyone else says -- if we go on an outing I walk some and ride some. The only problem I've found is that if you are with a group you can feel left out because they are all chatting behind you and you can't join in; you also need a well trained pusher who realises that they need to turn you to look at what they are looking at and so that you can be included in conversations, also to include you in decisions about which way to go next etc. I would say go for it but start as you mean to go on with your pushers.

heyjude

hee hee -- I meant BUS trips!

stickywicket

heyjude wrote:

you also need a well trained pusher

Shall we write 'The Pusher's Guide'?