| There have been so many advancements in | | | | while custom wheelchair cushions remain firm |
| wheelchairs lately…they're no longer | | | | and supportive and much more sanitary. |
| those large, wooden contraptions that retired | | | | |
| cowboys would be pushed around in. | | | | Another accessory to consider is a ramp. |
| | | | While ramps are sometimes overlooked at |
| Today, wheelchairs are highly advanced | | | | accessories to wheelchairs (because you can't |
| marvels of technology. Users can enjoy great | | | | attach them to your chair and they are often |
| comfort and mobility AND independence when | | | | permanently attached to buildings), you can |
| they find a wheelchair that fits their | | | | still by non-permanent heavy duty ramps that |
| lifestyle and needs. And what's more, there | | | | allow you to wheel your chair up a curb or |
| are many wheelchair accessories that you can | | | | into the back of a truck or van. There are |
| choose from to make your chair customized the | | | | small ramps to get over small heights like |
| way you want it: | | | | door thresholds and there are larger ramps to |
| | | | get up stairs or into vans. Many ramps are |
| For example, even though you are able to get | | | | built to be kept near the place you'll use |
| around with the best of them now, you are | | | | them most but there are some portable ramps |
| still sitting down and that can hard on your | | | | (for example, briefcase sized ramps that |
| back, legs, hips, and thighs. Medical | | | | extend) allowing you to carry a ramp with you |
| cushions give you great comfort and support | | | | wherever you go. |
| while reducing the risk of what can be called | | | | |
| "bedsores" (which are sores caused by | | | | A third accessory to consider is a wheelchair |
| constant pressure). Your wheelchair may be | | | | lift that you hook your wheelchair to in |
| comfortable now but it will be even more | | | | order to move it into a vehicle. This is a |
| comfortable with a cushion to support you. | | | | helpful device if you find your wheelchair to |
| These cushions are also helpful if you need | | | | be too heavy to lift or move around. The lift |
| just a couple extra inches of height (for | | | | can be attached right inside your vehicle and |
| example, if you find that you are banging | | | | simply picks your wheelchair off the ground |
| your elbows when you want to roll your | | | | and hauls it inside. (Of course, the lift is |
| wheelchair). | | | | designed to move the wheelchair |
| | | | only…not the user as well). |
| Why should you consider this accessory over a | | | | |
| cushion you find in the house? These cushions | | | | There are so many other accessories, |
| are cut especially for the wheelchair and | | | | including cup holders, fishing rod holders, |
| they are often made of medically-certified | | | | trays, and different types of foot rests, leg |
| foam while many household cushions are filled | | | | rests, and bracing. You can really make your |
| with feathers, down, or other material. The | | | | wheelchair your own…which will help you |
| cushion from home will get lumpy and there | | | | find great enjoyment in getting around. |
| could be a reduction in how sanitary it is, | | | | |