6 Benefits Of An Electric Wheelchair

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Perhaps you’ve been looking to update your manual wheelchair to an electric one?

Or else, you’re offering advice to someone who is? Manual wheelchairs can be great

low maintenance options; you don’t need to think about batteries or a source of power.

Having said this, there are plenty more benefits of upgrading to an electric wheelchair. 

Improved mobility 

Electric wheelchairs offer improved mobility because less strength is required to propel

your chair. Due to the small motors, it’s far easier to move the chair even if your upper

body mobility is more limited. With no need to manually move or steer the chair, you’ll use

a joystick that can make all these movements for you. 

Improve Independence 

Due to the improved mobility, users of an electric wheelchair can gain more independence,

. They’ll be no more having to rely on others to propel your chair, nor having to take a break

from moving yourself due to fatigue. Advances in technology allow us to find solutions that

enhance our lifestyles, and for a wheelchair user, added independence is an excellent

bonus. 

Change the height 

You’ll likely be aware that manual chairs are fixed at a set height. With most

electric wheelchairs, you’ll have a button that is capable of changing and adjusting

the height of your chair whenever you like. Such solutions are useful when shopping

or dining and needing to reach a certain height, for example. 

Outdoor use 

Generally speaking, electric wheelchairs are better at moving over outdoor terrain. There

might be an incline or bump that a manual chair just couldn’t ride over. Chairs with motors

can help to propel you forward if a certain road is set on a slight hill. It can be reassuring to

know that your chair can tackle tricky terrain without getting stuck! As well as this, electric

wheelchairs are often suited better to the outdoors due to their speed. 

Special features 

Electric wheelchairs are often fitted with a range of special features to provide

maximum comfort and ease of use. For example, footrests to make getting in and out of

the chair more comfortable. Also, armrests that flip back to exit the chair at the side

quickly. When a chair is built for optimum comfort, this helps the user to reduce any

fatigue or pain experienced from frequent use. 

Folding wheelchairs 

You can get folding electric wheelchairs, the same as you can manual chairs. It’s really

convenient to choose these types of chairs; to store and fold as you wish. There may be

an occasion when you need to fold the chair on public transport perhaps? When you’re

looking at the features of a new chair, always check the speed and range to ensure that

it’s suitable for you. Most importantly, try out any new chair properly before you buy. A

chair might sound perfect, but not feel comfortable to you personally. When it comes to

wheelchairs, your personal comfort is vital. Electric wheelchairs can also be an excellent

option on a fun holiday to really make the most of your time!

This is a collaborative post.

Project 365 week 43

This week has been about trying to get back into a routine and stop being so lazy. Been having late mornings and late night for weeks now as have had nothing much to get up for. Been using the exercise bike on the days I have not been out on an e- bike. Maybe only 5 miles a day but still exercise none the less. Still working on the same jigsaw and yeeeehhhhhh managing to get some knitting done. If I do a short stint and put it down at the first signs of pins and needles then it is not bringing back the pain.
Had a few nights with the pins and needles have been annoying and hands have been stiff more than one morning this week.


Sunday

A run into town to pick up friend and take him for a walk along the beach with us. The sun might have been out but it was freezing, glad I had popped a hat and gloves in my back pack and had on a fleece jacket and a windproof on top.

Monday

Into the town, dropped Dixie dog and hubby to walk along the river walk and go into visit friend while I went for a cycle ride. A nice fast paced 10.14 miles with a height gain of 273 feet. Sadly only four of us there, two leaders and two of us joining in, seems such a shame there is so small a take up when it is free and available to anybody over sixteen who wants to join in. This was along the beach road and freezing, but was a lovely flat calm mirror finish sea, ended up with my fleece hat under my cycle helmet to keep my ears warm.

This made me chuckle when walking past the school.....says animal feed...wondered with my warped sense of humour if it was next weeks lunches being delivered......but was informed it is bio mass pellets, guess the company has had to diversify.

Tuesday

Another trip into town to a few bits and pieces of shopping and again hubby and Dixie walked along the river and pop into visit friend. When I had finished picked them up and hubby and friend finished off the coping stones on top of the wee wall they built last week.

Just needs the coating on all of it now. That will probably wait until next spring.

The pressure washer packed in, just stopped dead, been trying to get an answer out of Vax to see if it has an internal fuse.....asked me a hundred irrelevant questions and not answered the one I wanted answering.

Wednesday

Went to pick up a repeat prescription, I had run out of  quinine last week, but think I had stopped noticing the sore legs with the sore arms but really noticed it on Monday night, probably not helped by the first outdoor cycle ride in weeks, while hubby walk Dixie along the river, the two of them like this walk. Popped in to visit a different friend and then  picked them back up from friends when I had finished. Home for a quick something to eat before I went into Kilmarnock to do my induction with The Active Travel hub and am now an official volunteer, soon as I have my volunteer number I can volunteer with any Sustrans rides any where in the country, and access any training they offer. They are still waiting for my references to come through but they won't be a problem.
Also joined in with a staff and volunteer ride, handy to get to know the cycle paths and have to admit Kilmarnock have much better routes open to them than we have in Ayr. A lot more country roads to use. I knew it would get dark while I was on the ride so put on my water proof/reflective trousers and jacket and was glad I did as it rained quite heavily for the second half of the ride. 11.48 miles with a height gain of 557 feet. Into a wee local cafe afterwards for a treat of coffee and cakes, sadly none dairy free so I just had a diet coke.

Thursday

A day in the house. Hubby and I battered into the housework between us as not much been done all week. I then spent time doing my jigsaw while listening to my audio book while hubby was tidying his sheds and the loft.
Made a pot of lentil and veg soup for lunch that will do the weekend as well and froze some for later on. Only annoying thing is my hand blender does not work so had to eat it lumpy. Skint time of the month with it being a five week pay month so using up what in the cupboards.
Made macaroni cheese for tea, thinly sliced some tomatoes on top and pop it in the over to cook them while a few oven chips cooked.
Cleaned all the windows inside and out.This makes the job an awful lot easier.

Friday

. Walked the dog while posting a letter. Back up the road and finished off the jigsaw puzzle off. Sewed up a jumper I have been working on for weeks and weeks. Knitting still makes my hands uncomfortable so not sure how much more will be done.

Hubby went and picked up friend as he was in a lot of pain and brought him back here and his mum picked him up just after 9pm.

Saturday

Back to work this morning, thankfully. Did struggle with a few tasks and a few others made my fingers and wrists sore but had somebody with me to help. Tomorrow will tell when on my own but know I have the back up of being able to move if I am struggling.

Spotted these wandering round the grass area when I came out of work, guess this is a case of the grass is greener.

Project 365 week 42

Sunday

A lazy day doing more of the jigsaw and listening to my audiobook. Currently listening to The woman in the wood by Lesley Pearse. It is entertaining enough. Twins sent to live with the grandmother but one gets kidnapped.

We finished watching Carnival Row tonight, was ok, watchable but nothing to write home about.

Friend was down quite a bit of the weekend . Hubby have been working on trying to build a small wall in front of the repaired gate post, the main reason we wanted it sorted. They also tried some welding but it did not work.

Went to visit a local friend and she was showing me her extension, love the view she has.

a room with a view

Monday

DD2 is down this afternoon for a few days with the girls. Took her three hours to drive down, and Ziggy fell asleep in the car so took her for a run round the park to help tire her out.
Hubby went round to friends and I picked him up on the way back out the town.

In the park 

Tuesday

Hubby went round to friends and I picked him up again on the way back out the town.

In the afternoon we went a  wander down the rather muddy woods, Ziggy wanted to go down to the bridge.Think she had been hoping to go paddling again like we did in the Summer.  So we walked down trying to catch leaves as they blew off the trees, we failed and she went in a huff. But we eventually got down there, and wish we hadn't, time we got back up again. She played on the swings, had some jelly babies, and then we hunted sticks out to play pooh sticks off the bridge with and then wandered back up again. We went down a rather muddy slope so decided to try the other way out, it was even worse, and at one point I ended up sat in the mud having got Ziggy through safely and going back to help with the buggy. We bribed her back up the hill with a jelly baby for every third lamp post we passed.

playing pooh sticks of the bridge 

Wednesday

 Hubby went round to friends and I picked him up n the way back out the town and we all took a  walk round a local park and then dropped friend back off again before heading home.

 SIL3 came round after his work as hubby and friend had been trying to do some welding at the weekend  and not managed to succeed. SIL3 says the gates are the wrong metal and it will need a stick welder.
The gates will have to wait.

SIL3 welding 

DD3 had been up for the day and took Ziggy down to DD1's. Wee Roo has not be overly well the last few days so DD2 stayed here with her and managed to get her to sleep for a while. By 9pm DD2 was rather worried about Roo as she has not had a wet nappy all day as well as her crying and raised temperature and pulling at her ears. She phoned doctors on call and took her up for 10.30. They ran various tests on her and were happy nothing serious were wrong. They said  she was dehydrated and to take her home and make sure she got plenty of fluids.

She was thankful she was here and not at home as her local hospital would not have dealt with her and would have sent her a ninety mile trip to their "local" children's unit. Not to mention the ninety miles back. That would not have been much fun for either of them.



Thursday

GP appointment. Blood test results are all normal. GP has no answers to what may have caused this or what it is, going to be another mystery like my black thumb of last year. Helicobacter pylori test also came back clear. Currently the weakness and discomfort is primarily in the wrists and thumbs with the odd mild pins and needles in my finger tips. Hoping to build the strength back up now to get back to a more normal life.

A walk along the beach with the dog while we were out anyway.

DD2 and the girls are away to visit SIL2's family for the weekend.

Roo fast asleep before I went oout 

Started listening to The Lake House by Kate Morton, - a heart stopping suspense and uncovered secrets - a missing child - that flits between 3 time eras. Positively enjoying this one.  Started watching Unbelievable on Amazon Prime. Was not sure I was going to enjoy it with the first episode but watched 5 now and enjoying it.

Friday

Got my exercise bike back in that has been in the shed since Monday, and my jigsaw back on the table to work on.

Managed to so some knitting, not pushing my luck but got the back of a jumper finished for Spud that I started weeks ago. Only had ten rows to go. Not wanting to push my luck as I can feel it. Same with carrying a mug, I can do it but not comfortably. Still getting hubby to lift hot heavy things for me. Pain just in wrists and thumbs now.

finished off the wall eventually 

Hubby and friend went down to visit a relative of hubbys locally.

Saturday

Had three small spots on my stomach a few weeks back, they seemed to have disappeared. But one flared up and I used an antibiotic cream on it and again it seemed to heal. For some reason it flared  up again on Thursday so bought this hoping if there is something in it it will draw it out.

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Project 365 week 41

Trying to be a bit more positive this week. The fact I have actually manage to sleep the last four nights is helping with that. Up to and including Monday night was just hideous, when it takes 15 to 20 minutes of rubbing at your arm and hand to stop the pins and needles and you are getting that every forty five minutes or so then sleep is impossible. When all you want to do is cry or chop your arms off then it makes for a long night.

Still struggling with basic tasks and still getting hubby to help with hot and heavy things.

Been out for a walk most days and been using the exercise bike in the house just to pass the time. Managed to do some crochet, a few stitches at a time, though the nearly finished item looks nothing like it should and I have no idea why not but it helped pass the time. Suppose to be an owl hat but the hat part is not head shaped in the least so wont be adding the eyes etc to finish it off but never mind.

DD3 suggested jigsaw puzzles so been doing one with hot air balloons on and listening to my audiobooks at the same time.


Sunday

Lots of lazing around. Got a call from Ziggy. She was having great fun adding silly effects to herself and her little sister.

Monday

Not really sure what happened today as had no sleep for a number of nights. Don't seem to be any photos taken today.

Here is one from last week when friend was trying to balance treats on the dogs head, she was for none of it.

Tuesday

Had a phone call back from the GP and told my inflammatory markers were raised but not by much but my potassium levels were back in the normal range. This disappointed me as I was hoping that with the symptoms I have (six of the eight main ones) that low potassium was going to be the answer and a quick fix.

Walked the dog in the morning and lazed with the dog in the afternoon, think she is quite liking me lazing around.

Wednesday

After yesterdays phone results was given an appointment for today to see the GP I have been seeing to see what the next stage is. He is as baffled as me and I felt just playing for time in hoping it will go away. He did ask me what I would like done next.....well sorry I don't know, if I knew that I would be sat in his chair not mine. Having had little sleep in weeks then I am not the most tolerant when tired and in pain. He says he can refer me to neurology but will wait months for an appointment.

He said he would discuss it with the others in the practice and phoned back and said they decided another full batch of blood tests might show something as my lost lot were done a few or so before this kicked off.
Took friend to his physio appointment, the hospital near my GP anyway so hubby played taxi driver between one place and the other and we fitted in a walk with the dog as well.   Friend needed a pile of paperwork scanned and emailed to his mum so I did it for him.

Thursday

Had an occupational health appointment through work. Had put in for this when things started going wrong as never sure how long you will wait for one. But less than two weeks is not bad. He took a full history, that took a while....plus an idea of the last few weeks.....then did lots of prodding and poking and hammering with moving arms here and there, and he agrees with the GP, seems to be nothing major, for it to be both sides at once rules out trapped nerve, and that water retention and inflammation after three days of diarrhoea can cause the symptoms I have and it should go down in its own time.  Have to say was rather sore later in the day because of it.

Back into town to get more bloods taken later in the day.

While I was going in today anyway I did my helicobacter pylori test and handed it in. Two weeks for the results of this.

Friday

A walk round the park locally with the dog.

Went down to watch the three wee ones while DD1 picks Bob up. Was winding up Minky, sitting him on my knee and giving him kisses and calling him Grandma's baby boy....he was not amused...and kept trying to push me away. When Bob came in he decided he would be Grandma's baby boy instead then and came for cuddles. Quite nice at thirteen he still wants cuddles from Grandma.

Threw a sausage pasta bake in the oven so tea was ready when I came back. Very yummy it was as well.

Spotted these in the shop last week, yum yum.

Saturday

DD3 is away to a wedding today and dropped me off a few jigsaws on the way. Will need to hunt out the jigsaw board as DD2 and the girls are down on Monday for a few days so the table will be needed for them. Just as easy on the board and then slips under the couch for storage.

Always start doing jigsaws with the edges first, got as far as most of the edges and the bits with writing on.
Managed two rows of knitting spread over half an hour, hands think that was enough to be doing.

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Project 365 week 40

A total make or break week for my blog and this project, but thanks to encouragement from fellow 365'ers I have decided to carry on. This week has been a horrible week, seems to be one thing after another health wise lately. Having suffered for over three months with a new inhaler that was making things much worse rather than better and getting to the stage  that I could not function, now it seems my body is out to get me in other ways. This weeks post is a total moaning post as that is all I can focus on. On the positive side the new inhaler is just what I needed with my peak flow back at normal and having come of the omeprazole the heart burn is actually no worse than it was when I was on it.

Having undergone a full barrage of blood tests just over a month ago that showed nothing wrong except low potassium then I am baffled as to why I am feeling so yeuch.

For a while I had been feeling like I had flu, every bone and joint in my body ached, but seems that was a possible side effect of the inhaler and that did seemed to have eased for a while, but now other parts are aching instead.

Just feel a) bored and b) useless as struggling with basic every day tasks. I am having to shout husband through to open bottles for me as can't close my hands enough to grip, same with tins, even ring pull cans are beating me. He is being nice enough to carry my plates through to the living room for me as I am worried about dropping my food on the floor.

Cant knit, cant crochet, and cant work so I am sitting around watching rubbish on the tv. Have been jumping on the exercise bike and doing 5 to 10 miles in bits and pieces a day as I can ride that without my hands.

Been sleeping in the front bedroom. I use the word sleeping jokingly, more like lying in the front room to save disturbing hubby with my up and down all night. I have intermittent pain and numbness in both hands during the day but at night the pain is unbearable with my left hand numb with pins and needles  from elbow to finger tips and the right one just the hand that is numb. Spend half the night about crying with the pain, other parts of the night rubbing and slapping my hands and arms trying to get the circulation moving and relieve the pain. Walking seems to help, so wander up and down the stairs for ten minutes at a time before going back. I must drop off in between times as I have been using the kindle to watch stuff on and finding I am in the middle of something when I wake up for the next wander. Hubby said I would not disturb him in our room, so Thursday night I went back in there, he woke at 4 with my moving around and got up at 6 as he could not get back to sleep, I decided it was to cold to go warm up the spare bed.....and stayed where I was....so last night it was back to the front bedroom for me. .

I am sure I will be looking back on this is  a few months and wondering why I let it get to me, but right now it is getting to me. Does not fit with anything I can pin down, a trapped nerve would affect one side not both, so lets hope I get some answers.

Sunday

In far to much pain to be at work not just from a pain point of view but also from a H&S point. I deliver hot meals and drinks to people but with numbness and pins and needles in both hands and struggling to pick anything up let alone carry it then I would say not a safe thing to do for my customers.

We finally got somebody in today too replace the fence post that holds up our gate, Not technically our post as fence belongs to next door, but being mid terraced we legally access our back garden from the street through next doors garden, and is the only sensible way for us to get bins in and out, and as they do not use need to use the gate then it is only us that is being inconvenienced by it not opening.  Fed up with the bins in the front garden so they are now round the back again.

Monday

An afternoon appointment with the GP, he still thinks my issue is inflammation from the previous weeks problem and suggested taking regular pain killers for a week and see if it helps. I am back on Friday for repeat bloods to check the potassium so he is adding on an extra test looking for inflammation markers to see if it is any type of arthritis. While I was in the town went and joined the e bike ride as I know this one is all off road and not overly long. Was rather uncomfortable but did cycle some of the way with one hand or the other at my side rather than on the handle bars. Was not the best idea I have had this week.

These lollies came from Disneyland Paris when DD2 and co were away there last month.

Tuesday

Cheated today and went to Iceland and bought some pre made food and bags of chopped onion and peppers. Always make my own but finding I can't chop stuff up at the moment. Better eating pre made food than risking harm over hot pans. To be honest I am even struggling holding a spoon or fork long enough to eat a meal without cramp setting in and having to change hands or stop for a few minutes.

Wednesday

Did not go and join in with tonight's bike ride as most of it is on road and not a sensible decision with the way I am. My legs are still working so been out walking the dog. She is hard to see against the leaves.

Thursday

Hubby went and picked up friend to come and give him a hand to get the front gates ready for welding, just needs a welder now to to get them back up.
I did try to knit today but got a 1/4 of a row done before it was to painful to carry on. Waited two hours and tried to crochet as it only needs one needle and the right hand is better than the left, got ten stitches done and slung it across the room in frustration. Did manage to do some colouring, not the best quality but passed some time.Not finished but little bits at a time.

Had contacted occ health at work as thought it may be a quicker option if I need physio or anything than through the GP. I got a call today and now have an appointment for next Thursday. Did see if I could change that as I have a funeral at the same time next week, but nothing else for a fortnight so will need to put in my apologies for the funeral.


Friday

Blood tests this morning, picked up my sick line and a prescription for stronger pain killers while I was there. Handed sick line into work, walked the dog, got a few bits of shopping while in the town anyway and headed home for a nap. Results should be back for Tuesday so will see what they show, if anything. But one more thing ruled in or out before Occ Health appointment.

Down at 5.30 to watch the three wee ones while DD1 went and picked Bob up. Was a nice easy babysitting session as the three of them were on their tablets. Helped Spud with some nine piece jigsaws on hers and helped in a game making food, dipping fruit into chocolate.

Minkies tablet had timed out so he was trying to help Dinky with hers.

Saturday


Been willing to try anything to help the sleeping, so did some reading on ergonomic pillows and if it is neck issues it may well help, if it is not neck issues it will do no harm. Having to sleep on my back at the moment so trying this. Went for a mid priced one with mainly good reviews. Only used it one night so will let you know how I get on.

Have been trying to help myself, we all know the worst thing we can do with any sore piece of the body is not use it so doing finger and wrist movements regularly through the day to save them seizing up.

Hopefully by next week I may have some answers.

We have finished working our way through 3 series of Glitch, need to find something else that appeals to both of us now.

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