What is a Wheelchair?
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels that enables a person to move from one place to another. They are useful for people who have difficulties walking and help children with special needs to be as independent as possible.
Wheelchair Adaptations
There are many different types of wheelchairs. The shapes and designs will vary based upon what is available and the type of support or adaptations that the child needs.Some children will need to adjust the wheelchair to meet their specific needs. Some changes that may be required include:
Back height/inclination
If the child has poor control of his head, it may be necessary to provide a head support and/or to slightly recline the chair.
Side Support
If the child cannot sit straight without support, side supporters may be needed.
Wheel Handles
If a child cannot use his hands to hold the wheel, special handles or sticks (rim pegs) can be attached to help the child push the wheelchair.
Seat Cushion
Some wheelchairs have hard seats that can put pressure on a child’s skin. Children with no feeling impairment will change their position when an area of their becomes painful. Children who have impaired sensation and are not as sensitive to feeling do not know when they should adjust their position. This lack of feeling and movement could lead to a child developing pressure sores on his or her skin. To decrease the chance of pressure sores, the seat can be adapted to have padding.
Arm Rests
The arm rests in some chairs cannot be removed. In others, by pressing a small release button and pulling directly upward, the arm rest can be removed from the chair. Some have arm rests that remain fastened to the chair but swing out of the way on a hinge. Often arm rests are removed so that children can safely transfer from one surface to the other.
Foot Rests
For children who stand to transfer, it is good to have foot rests that can be removed to avoid problems when standing and moving from one surface to another.
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