Wheelchair Users
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Wheelchair users are people who already have a wheelchair or who can benefit from using a wheelchair because their ability to walk is limited. Wheelchair users include:
- Children, Adults and the Elderly;
- Men, Women, Girls and Boys;
- People with different mobility impairments, lifestyles, life roles and backgrounds;
- People living and working in different environments including rural, semi-urban and urban.
The needs of each wheelchair user will vary. However, they all need an appropriate wheelchair. Every well-fitting wheelchair provides the user some postural support. The backrest, cushion, footrests and armrests all provide postural support when adjusted to suit the wheelchair user’s size. However many children and adults need additional postural support in their wheelchair.
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Spinal Cord Injury[edit | edit source]
People with a spinal cord injury are very likely to be at risk of developing a pressure sore. This is because most people with a spinal cord injury cannot feel below the level of their injury. Always prescribe a pressure relief cushion.
Cerebral Palsy[edit | edit source]
Cerebral palsy affects people very differently. For a person with cerebral palsy who can sit upright, it is important to remember that they may have difficulty keeping their sitting position because they get tired. This makes doing things harder and more tiring. Good support is very important. People with cerebral palsy may need additional postural support in a wheelchair. To do this safely and effectively, intermediate-level training is needed.
