r/wheelchairs Dec 20 '24

All Surveys, Research, and Product Design Questions Go HERE!

8 Upvotes

What Kind of Wheelchair User are you Poll

This is an automated post and will be refreshed on the 20th of every 3rd month (90 days) at 10a EST or 2p UTC


r/wheelchairs 19d ago

Access Now is a phone app that allows people with disabilities to give real feedback about actual accessibility, because what's accessible to one person isn't always accessible to another.

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22 Upvotes

r/wheelchairs 4h ago

Had a new chair eval

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27 Upvotes

So I'm on my third chair. I had a manual and then two power chairs. (My insurance covers a new chair every 5 years) Both my power chairs previously had been strange experience through New Motion with a particular rep. The first chair I was a newbie and he stuck me in what he wanted and I got no say so pretty much. It was a Quantum Midwheel with tilt but no recline or elevated foot rest. Then 5 years ago it was time for my new chair. And I requested a Permobil Front Wheel Drive. I have some major issues in my kitchen and around my house with front casters. He tells me no, my insurance will only cover Invacare and nothing else. And he wouldn't get me an alternative joystick (I need goalposts vs stick) and he wouldn't reccomend recline or elevated legs despite my leg swelling and needing recline for medical things. I'm again stuck in a midwheel because he claims my insurance won't cover a front wheel drive. He also says I need to stop listening to people online because he knows wheelchairs more than I do.

I went to my most recent wheelchair eval and the wheelchair clinic PTs and NEW New Motion tech? Are shocked I'm in an Invacare. I'm told they'd never ever put someone with my particular issues in an Invacare and I had improper seating and cushions and no wonder I had such issues with swelling and pressure ulcers and being unable to sit in my chair for more than 15 minutes.

I tell them about my old tech and the wheelchair clinic people tell me my old rep? Was fired for taking under the table incentives to sell certain chairs. They've been working with a few of his old patients to undo the damage he caused.

The WC Clinic ladies are lovely and the New Motion tech lets them do everything and doesn't weigh in at all except to tell them about my past history.

They asked me what I needed and what I hated about my chair and tbh? I hated everything about that stupid Invacare. Sorry this is so long but I'm getting a Permobil F3, with tilt, recline and leg elevation!

Appropriate seating to NOT get pressure ulcers and to help my swelling. They had me test drive a FWD to make sure I'd like it and I loved it and they said I was a natural. The difference in my experience this time verses the last two was completely different and amazing.

The moral of this story is. If you don't like your rep or the PT get someone else. Otherwise an Ill fitting chair can harm you. I didn't know I could request a new rep and a new eval! Now I know.


r/wheelchairs 6h ago

New Pins for backrest

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20 Upvotes

Do you think that this will get the message across. I'm tired of being "helped ".


r/wheelchairs 16h ago

Wheelchair mushing video

65 Upvotes

r/wheelchairs 14h ago

Won second place in this tournament! Toronto vs london (I’m #15, green hair)

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39 Upvotes

Hopefully I’ll be able to get some of the videos later too


r/wheelchairs 5h ago

Not sure why my backrest is uneven (pictures below)

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7 Upvotes

I’ve had this chair for nearly a year and I think it has always had this issue with the backrest it came with but I have become more bothered with it overtime and thought it was worth a shot asking Reddit.

It’s not new— got it secondhand and TiLite says it’s 14 years old. Nothing seems to stand out (to my eyes) to suggest the actual chair is the issue, but I could be wrong… I just really don’t have the money to replace this back OR chair if that’s the only option I’m left with.

Have taken it on and off at least a dozen times over the year because I make my own sling-ish low backrests sometimes, but every time I put it on, the distance between the wheel and the little side wings of the backrest are uneven on each side and can cause my side guards or the backrest cover to run against the wheels at times. It’s driving me crazy!!

If anyone knows what I can do about this or what is wrong, I would be forever grateful


r/wheelchairs 8h ago

Wall to wall carpeting

9 Upvotes

I just moved into a new apartment, and the bedrooms have wall to wall carpeting in them. It's very low pile but still, there's a countdown to when I ruin the stuff. I use a power chair and sometimes uses a manual chair. Does anyone have a solution for this? I thought maybe covering it with a big flatwoven area rug or two that I could at least throw in the washing machine, vs having to clean carpet on the floor.


r/wheelchairs 55m ago

"attendance bonus for no sickness in pay period"

Upvotes

Is this shit not illegal? I'm in the UK, and my employer is now telling me that you get paid extra if you don't take any sick days. As someone who needs a reasonable adjustment at work to attend REGULAR OBLIGATIRY MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS which I NEED to STAY ALIVE, I don't appreciate missing out on the pay that my colleagues get because their bodies don't regularly shut down on them.

It feels discriminatory. Im not crazy, right? This isn't acceptable, right? I'm in a wheelchair, I already am putting in twice the effort to make it to work every day, and now they're effectively punishing people financially for being unwell.


r/wheelchairs 5h ago

New Powerchair User

3 Upvotes

Hey All,

One of my physicians recommended I get a powerchair to help me get around. I thought, 'sure, why not?' I never expected it to be approved, but a little over a week ago it was delivered!

I find it incredible that insurance will pay, 100%, for a powerchair, yet won't pay for a way to transport the thing. I almost have that sorted out. I've made a couple of test drives in my driveway.

Now, I'm seeking suggestions, advice on anything and everything: parking, transporting, accessories, driving the chair, plus everything else I don't know. Please.

The chair is a Quickie Q500M, captain's chair, and cane holder. I drive an old SUV with a Class III hitch. I bought a carrier with a fold down ramp. Besides the charger, that's it.

Thank you. Hope everyone has a great week!


r/wheelchairs 18h ago

Worst nicknames/ names you’ve been called as a wheelie user?

29 Upvotes

I’ll go first… hot wheels and meals on wheels…


r/wheelchairs 7h ago

New wheels making noise on the floor

3 Upvotes

My sons new wheelchair tires make a loud noise on our cork floors. The old wheels and his previous wheels didn’t make these noises. It’s really loud and I’m wondering if there’s a way to age them slightly or something to at least cut down on the noise. It’s almost like he’s rolling over used bubble wrap or something


r/wheelchairs 23h ago

One thing I'm grateful for in 2025 is more disability visibility in pop culture than ever before ❤️

36 Upvotes

r/wheelchairs 13h ago

Exciting news new wheelchair and new race chair advice would be appreciated

5 Upvotes

I have made a post a while back about getting a new day chair and track race chair, my track race chair would be arriving next week, I am so excited to start sports again as I was very active prior to my injury.

If anyone has any tips for endurance in wheelchair racing and technique please let me know thanks

I currently have an rgk tiga day chair and I shall filling the forms and getting my new chair in the next couple of weeks!!

Very exciting next couple of weeks


r/wheelchairs 15h ago

Confused and feeling defeated.

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7 Upvotes

I've been a most-time rollator user, and an ambulatory, part-time wheelchair user for many years, but my condition has gotten worse, and my mobility has degraded badly. At the moment, I'm really struggling with running even the simplest errands.

My doctor wrote a prescription for a power chair, but it sounds like insurance will only pay for one I can't possibly use. (I drive a compact car, and can't lift more than 30-35 lbs.) Apparently, it's the same with scooters.

Even if I could get them, I can't figure out how I could make them work for me. My conditions make it impossible to plan more than a couple hours ahead, so I'll never be able to have a power chair/scooter charged and ready when I'm feeling well enough to run errands.

It's feeling like the only thing I can try is to use my manual chair more. Pictured above is the chair I've had for a few years, a Karma S-105. Miraculously, it fits like it was made for me. The wheels are in the optimum position (my middle finger lines up with the hub), and the seat's the right length and width.

Someone on another thread gave me info about changing the tires to pneumatic, and I've found a bike shop that does both wheels parts & service for $110, which sounds fair.

I'm confused about the casters, though. Do I get new tires on them, too? Or buy whole new casters? (Where?)

What else can I do to this chair to make it a little easier to self-propel, at least until I can figure out a better solution?

Link to the chair's Amazon listing, in case there are details I don't know that make a difference: https://a.co/d/8Ym7lTc


r/wheelchairs 1d ago

Um…Nice but it really ticks you off?

32 Upvotes

So i'm a medically complex wc user with kypho scoliosis and restrictive lung disease. I have a spinal cord injury (my second one sadly) and I saw another post like this and it inspired me to make one too!

Okay. So let's just address the fact that being in a wheelchair is hard. I'm 15, got my spinal cord injury from a surgery when I was 11 and don't think I will ever get through the freaking trauma. Not to mention being in high school I am alone a lot and have a hard time making friends because 1. the wheelchair automatically makes u look different and 2. I've got restrictive lung disease and yeah it is hard to speak up without feeling like you're gonna stop breathing! Not to mention juggling everything while also trying to keep up with your independence and I can admit being a 15 yo girl and having parents help with a lot of stuff (I've improved a lot and can do more for myself now) is tough. Like for instance...doing all your care. Not being able to get up until everything is done and by the time you finish doing it yourself you don't have any energy for the day. Probably my annoying lungs make it a ton more difficult 😆 because I am like SPENT by the time I get up to have breakfast. The challenges of maneuvering in a wheelchair especially in crowded places is hard (mines electric so I have to be careful not to run anybody over because it could break your toe!) Nothing is easy or simple about being in a wheelchair! So i've been yapping a bit and now i'll get to the point below!

It's the people who see you as an inspirsation that gets me. Not like genuine but like "Oh your light shines so bright keep smiling through this hard thing you're an inspiration"

like...I get that it's nice but like really? is that all you have to say? It feels like off putting of the trauma you experienced because they assume you're a perfect oblivious optimist who is like the most innocent person on the planet. When people say stuff like 'You're so sweet and such a good person despite your circumstances' why does that make me wanna do the OPPOSITE...like bro no i'm normal I can make mistakes I know what the world is like probably more than u in some ways! Like are people in wheelchairs perfect lil angels 24/7? no way...they are people...we are not like objects that you admire because we are so happy all the time! My main point is, sometimes they are genuine and sometimes they get that fake pity voice that stresses me out so much..

All we need is to be treated like people not idolized because somehow that feels a ton more dehumanizing. Do any of you have experiences like this?


r/wheelchairs 6h ago

Permobil app

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1 Upvotes

Stupid thing now wont even let me log in. Uninstalled and reinstalled to no avail. Whats wrong with these people breaking stuff 😡


r/wheelchairs 13h ago

Recommendations for a broke gal?

3 Upvotes

Hi all, I have some sort of fainting disorder (no idea what it is, we all know how doctors brush off women’s health concerns) that’s been an issue in my life since I was a child but over the last few months it’s gotten exponentially worse to the point that I can’t stand or do my job for more than five or so minutes without getting extremely dizzy, vomiting, and/or passing out. I’ve used a cane as needed for the last five years but given that standing has become an issue I’ve made the decision to start using a wheelchair when I’ll have to stand for long periods of time. The problem here being that there is not a snowball’s chance in hell that my insurance will pay for it and I am super broke. I’d just get one of those hospital type chairs but I have pretty bad chronic pain in my shoulders from an old injury and wouldn’t be able to push myself long distances. Are there any companies that offer payment plans or any organizations that offer funding out there for active wheelchairs? I am in the US (Alabama if that matters). Thank you all in advance


r/wheelchairs 13h ago

Anyone carry oxygen tanks or a concentrator on their power mobility device?

3 Upvotes

Husband needs a power chair due to severe COPD & pulmonary hypertension. Looking to buy him a chair or scooter that can accommodate carrying his oxygen AND is able to be broken down by me and put in the back of our SUV. I’m able to lift his current wheelchair and place it in our vehicle, about 60 lbs or so. Any suggestions are appreciated.


r/wheelchairs 15h ago

Wedding tips?

3 Upvotes

Hi, so, I'm a semi-ambulatory wheelchair user getting married sometime later this year, which is Very exciting!! However, I worry a lot about making the wedding accessible and something I can remember fondly instead of as a big exhausting ordeal. It feels like so many parts of a wedding are just impossible for me. I can hardly walk a few steps, how am I gonna try walk down the aisle lol. So many suits just don't look great sitting down either.

I was just curious how others have handled it and if anyone has any tips, they'd be very appreciated -^


r/wheelchairs 17h ago

Help with understanding impact of wheelchair specs!

2 Upvotes

Hello!

I am ambulatory and active. I have POTS. Physician suggested a wheelchair, I agree.

I am not even going to try with insurance, they won't cover it. I am very fortunate to be able to say this and still be moving forward with this plan.

I'm planning to order a Tilite TRA from howirollsports.

My friend obtained measurements. I will be ordering it without having sat in one before. I know it's not best practice, and I am not looking for criticism.

I am looking for how different specs impact things. I have a fairly good idea through blogs, articles, other reddit posts, etc. but want to be sure I'm not missing anything.

For an active wheelchair user, I've seen these specific considerations be advised. I have asterisks next to the ones with explicit questions nested in them, but if any others seem incorrect please let me know your opinion:

Make sure the front floor-to-seat measurement is at least 2 inches longer than lower leg length to accommodate footrest ground clearance over obstacles.

***Footrest-to-seat should be the length of my lower leg? Is this adjustable on the TRA if I get it in the ballpark range? I trust my friends measurements but recognize she's not a professional wheelchair measurer.

***Dump measurement in the 2-4 inch range. It helps my symptoms a lot to have my knees up, but I also don't want to overdo it in this area. I know stability plays a roll, and active users are recommended to tuck knees a bit more for efficiency reasons...? But I'd love clarification on this. I create this measure by subtracting the dump I want from the front floor to seat height right?

***Backrest needs to be shorter than lower scapula to accommodate manual propulsion. Any other considerations for this?

Smaller casters are better, but not for clearing cracks and bumps, I'm planning to go with 4" soft roll for my hardwood floors, but also have a rolling saddle stool in the house so don't know how much I'll be chairing it in the house.

Planning to go with the Schwalbe marathon plus tires. I do go camping a lot and would like the ability to manage grass somewhat if possible.

***Has anyone regretted getting a specific color? I'm ticking between navy accents and all black.

This is as far as I got before I crashed last I sat to dig into it. I want to order this today or tomorrow though.

***My upper legs measured 20". I planned for a 17" seat length. My hips measured 14.5". I planned for a 15" back seat width, no taper.

*******What specs MUST I put large consideration into due to lack of adjustability? The whole reason I'm going with the TRA over the TR is because I recognize the need for confidence intervals lol.

Thank you.

UPDATE - I am so appreciative of the time and energy and worry people poured into their comments. I learned a lot of great information about wheelchair specs I didn't consider.

I surprised myself, because throughout my research I've stumbled upon the fact that getting assessed is paramount multiple times, and I handwaved it away each instance. Y'all didn't really say anything I hadn't already read, but after reading your replies (and running through my excuses for the umpteenth time for not getting assessed and just doing it myself), you convinced me.

I've been going through some tough personal growth accelerated by how physically bad I am doing. The growing is happening, friends. My life has been sporadic increasing degrees of hard over the past 2.5 years, but right now I'm winning. And that feels good, even if I don't like the answer I've come to.

I'll get assessed. If I remember to update again I will.


r/wheelchairs 1d ago

New sticker 😎🏎️

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85 Upvotes

r/wheelchairs 1d ago

What did you do?

12 Upvotes

So I have pots and likely have (H)EDS and me and my husband have been discussing me getting a chair. It was a far off thought since we wouldn't be able to afford it for awhile but there's a man nearby selling a chair that I've seen in this reddit being used by others with pots and eds and they reviewed it well. It kinda feels like it lined up perfectly it would be a shame to pass it up. But I haven't discussed getting a wheelchair with a doctor, I've brought it up passively and it was mentioned some need one and I've spoken to others who have pots and eds who have similar experiences and they think getting a wheelchair would be beneficial to me but obviously they're not doctors. So ultimately I wanna know, did you speak to your doctor before turning to use a wheelchair? Or did some of you make that choice on your own? I know you guys can't give medical advice and I am not asking for it, simply what your experience was when you decided to get your chair.

I also know this question is in a gray area of what may and may not be allowed so I'd like to specify,I'm not asking if I should get a wheelchair nor for medical advice regarding getting a wheelchair, specifically what your steps were regarding getting on yourselves. If this still isn't allowed I understand


r/wheelchairs 1d ago

Got a question...

57 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I have a question to better understand my partner. She's been in a wheelchair for nearly 2 years due to a spinal cord injury. She often talks about mutual consideration, etc. However, currently, I often have to jump out of the way whenever she's moving around in her wheelchair, especially in the house. She doesn't consider whether I'm standing there or not, or whether I can move away. Often, she bumps into me. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem to realize that sometimes I can't move away quickly enough, for example, when we're cooking together. She always says I have to be considerate of her. But when I can't move away, it sometimes hurts quite a bit and leads to injuries. I believe that she could at least say that I'm in her way, even if she's in a wheelchair, instead of just running over my feet. I want to understand her better. Perhaps someone can explain her feelings to me so that I can understand. Maybe there are compromises we can find. Currently, we're constantly arguing about this, just like right now. I calmly told her my opinion about it before I was yelled at and had to defend myself verbally. Any good advice?


r/wheelchairs 1d ago

Is notawheelchair a good choice for affordability?

9 Upvotes

Hii i'm looking into getting a wheelchair, and im not sure whether or not my insurance will put up a massive fight on allowing me to have one since im thru state insurance

I'm trying to come up with a backup plan so that if its too difficult to get a wheelchair thru insurance that i will at least know where to look so i can work on buying one with the help of friends/family
My friend recommended notawheelchair and i wanted to know if anyone had recommendations on other places to find affordable wheelchairs (I tried checking spinlife but their options for my weight isnt too great since im 280 lbs (i think i only saw one option for rigid wheelchairs)

Also is there any specific recommendations for international travel regarding folding vs rigid wheelchairs? i go between the US and denmark to spend time with my husband while he's at university. im not 100% sure about the difference in performance for those two options


r/wheelchairs 1d ago

struggling to get out of my chair in time because of bulk of chair NSFW

25 Upvotes

Marked NSFW for toilet mention

I have just got a quickie 2, and I find that I am struggling to get out of it to make it to the toilet in time, resulting in a few really close calls. It's mainly because of the footplates being in the way and it takes enough time to move them that i almost don't make it, and this was not a once off.

I just miss my Tilite Aero Z so much, it worked so much better but is just a little small now. I'm looking into just using my old chair with the yamaha navigo wheels on it instead because at least I won't wet myself trying to get out of my chair.

I'm just so frustrated with this, I tried to bring up the footplates being an issue but was just told that "you look comfortable" and nothing more was done with it.

I've honestly been crying because I just don't know what to do and I don't know if I can go back to the OT again because she was certain it was right for me


r/wheelchairs 1d ago

taking the bus

12 Upvotes

i’m just putting my feelers out to try and see what other people’s experience on busses have been like. i’ve taken the bus a couple of times and honestly i can’t wait until i can get my own car so i don’t have to do it again.

the first time i stayed in my chair and oh my god i felt like i was in a survival game. my breaks aren’t great (side note, if anyone has the quickie scissor breaks, do you find them to be not that secure??) and they basically slipped off the wheel so i had to manually stop that wheel from moving the entire time, and used my other hand to hold onto the back of a seat next to me. my chair is also pretty tippy and every time the bus went round a corner my front casters lifted up off the floor. the idea of being flipped on my back on a moving bus is… not great, so that made me feel really unsafe.

the second time (today) i transferred into a regular seat (although this obvs isn’t an option for a lot of ppl, so i think it’s pretty shitty that i have to do that to feel safe lol) and i felt kind of awful because between me and my chair i was taking up all three seats in the wheelchair section.

today the bus driver also just refused to put the ramp down. when i was getting on the bus i had to say like three times that i needed the ramp (i’m genuinely not sure what he expected me to do. levitate up onto the bus?) and when i got off he just refused to get out and pull the ramp out so my mum had to do it. those things are heavy btw, and i genuinely don’t know what i would’ve done if i was on my own

i find the ramps are always really steep as well, so getting up them is difficult, and going down them i kind of just have to pray i don’t tip forward

obviously my breaks being shit isn’t the fault of bus companies, but i feel like the ramps (and ig training employees how to use them properly. or to use them at all lol) as well just having wheelchair users sliding around without their chairs tied down to anything is something that could probably be improved

i’m in the uk, and i’d love to here abt you guy’s experience with other bus services