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Life In A Wheelchair – 10 Tips For Barrier-Free Living

Living In A Wheelchair – 20 Tips To Adjust A Barrier-Free Life As A Wheelchair User

Want to find out more about life in a wheelchair and get useful tips? Then you've come to the right place! As a wheelchair user, you often come up against obstacles that people who walk are not even aware of. From lowered kerbs, cobblestones and stairs, dependence on others, to exclusion in everyday private or professional life.

Disability is a real shock, especially for those who are suddenly and permanently dependent on a wheelchair and have to get used to their new living conditions.

Although I am not in a wheelchair myself, I would like to use this blog post to raise awareness of the everyday hurdles faced by wheelchair users and general accessibility. After all, everyone has the right and the ability to lead an active and fulfilling life.

In this article, you'll learn the best tips for accessible living in a wheelchair that I came across during my research and conversations with wheelchair users. Let's go!

You can find a brief overview here in advance:

  1. Choose a wheelchair that suits your needs
  2. Charge the battery and carry a spare battery
  3. Complete wheelchair and mobility training
  4. Continuing social life
  5. Build safe routines
  6. Do regular exercises
  7. Focus on your own abilities
  8. Install stairlift
  9. Use luminous or reflective elements
  10. Accept sad moments
  11. Exchange with other wheelchair users
  12. Plan accessibility before excursions
  13. Regular wheelchair maintenance
  14. Finding new ways to do familiar things
  15. Have realistic expectations
  16. Follow weather forecast
  17. Know your own body
  18. Use wheelchair bags and backpack
  19. Orienting to mobile role models
  20. Make wheelchair a friend

Living barrier-free: 20 tips for an easier life in a wheelchair

Social exchange with other wheelchair users

Sitting in a wheelchair for the first time and suddenly having to come to terms with the aid - and to see it as such and not as a burden - can be a real challenge.

It is a process that requires sweat, courage, support and time. But one thing should be clear: life is not over, it's just different in some places. Even as a wheelchair user, you can continue to do things that make you happy and fulfill you.

I would now like to give you some valuable tips that can make everyday life in a wheelchair much more pleasant and easier for you and other people.

1. choose a wheelchair that suits your needs

Wheelchairs come in all colors, shapes and functions. For example, there are manual wheelchairs with push rim drive or one-hand drive - and also models with an electric motor. The frame of wheelchairs can be rigid, foldable or multifunctional, for example - and then there are also wheelchairs for specific purposes, such as lightweight wheelchairs or sports wheelchairs.

That's why you should get together with your doctor and your doctor, as well as the experts in the medical supply store decide which type of wheelchair best suits your individual abilities and needs. A wheelchair tailored to your needs will make your life as a wheelchair user much more comfortable.

2. charge the battery and carry a spare battery

If you have an electric wheelchair, the battery should be Always fully charged as soon as you leave your house or apartment. Otherwise, you run the risk of being left stranded. Prevent this risk by simply carrying a charged spare battery with you.

3. complete wheelchair and mobility training

Driving a wheelchair needs to be learned. You can receive appropriate mobility training either voluntary (e.g. in a medical supply store) - book and complete in rehab this training in the use of your wheelchair is also often offered automatically.

For example, you will learn how to use your assistive device to Overcome obstacles, power-saving on the road are, the Activate parking brake, tilt when stationary and in general not topple over. The course promotes safe and confident movement in a wheelchair and makes you fit for everyday life.

4. continue social life

To prevent loneliness, sadness and possible depression, it is important to maintain your own social life away from the restrictions. thanks to targeted adjustmentscontinue as before, if possible. Continue to meet up with your friends. True friends will support you at all times. Get creative together with them and find solutions for any obstacles in everyday life in a wheelchair.

5. build safe routines

You will be able to move around more confidently every day in your wheelchair. You know barrier-free routes and possible hurdlesthat could await you and you know which things give you maximum pleasure even in a wheelchair. Do these things regularly and build up routines that give you Provide security.

6. do regular exercises

You should keep fit so that your wheelchair skills don't get rusty and you don't experience any further restrictions in the long term. For example, exercise regularly with the exercise band on the door handle and do functional upper body exercises after consulting your doctor.

7. focus on your own abilities

Try to focus your thoughts on your possibilities and abilities and block out the things that you can no longer do or have never been able to do. These positive mindset directs the view forward and helps you to optimize your options and better compensate for limited or lost abilities.

8. install stair lift

In order to master stairs in your home despite being confined to a wheelchair, were Stairlifts with a small platform invented. Don't be confused by high prices and the generally widely varying costs. As a rule, for example, the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) Part of the investment costs, so you can get a lift a little cheaper.

In addition, there are environmentally friendly, used brand stairliftswhich are carried out by the manufacturer or certified authorized workshops professionally overhauled and offered at fair prices.

9. use luminous or reflective elements

Bright clothing, lights, wheel lights, foils, reflectors. or LEDs for tire valves make you more visible to other road users. They increase your safety, especially when you are out and about in a wheelchair in the dark.

10. accept sad moments

Negative thoughts are quite normal when you lose something you value. But they prevent you from coming to terms with life in a wheelchair. So if you are feeling sad, hopeless or angry, for example, it is advisable to To sit down with a therapist or a therapistto specifically combat negative thoughts.

Also intensive Conversations with family members or friendscan help us to look to the future.

11. exchange with other wheelchair users

Happy wheelchair user playing sports

Especially if you're new to wheelchairs, you may find yourself much better arrange with the toolby regularly spending time with other wheelchair users. You can learn from these conversations and take away lots of tips for a barrier-free everyday life - and ultimately help other wheelchair users in turn.

Experience has shown that joining a sports club is particularly helpful. Whether Handball, badminton or basketball: there are countless Sportswhich you can also pursue in a wheelchair - and where you can meet other people with similar everyday challenges. Internet forums and Facebook groups are also great places to exchange ideas.

12. plan accessibility before excursions

Not every restaurant, park, train or path is barrier-free. That's why you should Inform in advance about new locations and activitieswhether accessibility is guaranteed or whether you may need help.

With this so-called Wheelmap you can for example easily Find fully or at least partially wheelchair accessible places near you.

13. regular wheelchair maintenance

A wheelchair also has wearing parts and should be checked and maintained regularly for safety reasons. Among other things Cable and the Battery power, Cushion, Tire pressure, Brakes condition, moving parts, Frame and Footrests checked.

Costs for any Repairs are then usually even covered by the private or statutory health insurance adopted.

14. finding new ways to do familiar things

Stop believing that you can do almost nothing when you are in a wheelchair. For some things, it simply applies, creative alternatives or find aids.

The Car can also be driven with a hand control, for exampleinstead of using the foot pedals. And you can reach the higher shelves in the kitchen, for example, with a Gripper or other tools. You can still do almost anything. Be aware of that!

15. have realistic expectations

Thinking positively is important, but you should also (depending on your personal situation) not the miracle expect to wake up in the morning and be able to walk around lively again. It makes just as little sense, the worst to be expected.

In the end, it's usually a healthy dose of realism in your own objectives and expectations that will keep you always brings a step forward and makes optimistic.

16. pay attention to weather report

Anyone who has been in a wheelchair for a while knows that the weather can be a real hurdle in everyday life. From Slippery and cold, heavy rain and heat. As a wheelchair user, you can't balance yourself and get into a dry race quickly. And in extremely hot temperatures combined with manual propulsion, there is a risk of circulatory problems.

To prevent such physical problems, you should always be aware of the current weather. It also makes sense to invest in useful aids such as waterproof Wheelchair covers, rain ponchos, thermal blankets or also mobile ramps.

17. know your own body

To prevent pain and damage, you should also use a wheelchair always listen to your body's signals. If the wheelchair is pinching or you are experiencing neck and back pain, for example, you should talk to the experts at your medical supply store again and make adjustments.

Another important tip for life in a wheelchair is to not to overestimate yourself. Particularly in the early days, you usually don't have the necessary stamina and strength or the confidence to use the wheelchair. If in doubt, you should therefore always rely on the help or protection of your companions.

18. use wheelchair bags and backpack

Even a wheelchair user has to take a parcel to the post office or go shopping from time to time. You should definitely get wheelchair bags or an ordinary rucksack for this purpose hang over the backrest. You can store all kinds of things in this "trunk" - from Purchases and parcels, until the Spare battery.

19 Orientation to mobile role models

Of course, you should be a positive role model for other people yourself, but you should also Safety and motivation through other, own role models.

For example, prominent role models such as physicists Steven Hawking, Para athlete Anas Al Khalifa, YouTube star Leeroy Matatathe 14-year-old comedian Carl Josefthe British performance artist Sue Austin or extreme athletes and skaters David Lebuser be. They all show that you can still fulfill your dreams, even if you are dependent on a wheelchair.

Just as well, of course, you can also People from your environment be positive examples of how to deal confidently and safely with a disability or restricted mobility.

20. make wheelchair a friend

To master life in a wheelchair, you should also see it for what it is: a friend and helper. But experience has shown that this is not so easy, as he at first glance rather an enemy image that symbolizes precisely what one has lost. That is why many people talk about being "tied" to a wheelchair.

At the same time, your everyday life will only become truly barrier-free or barrier-poor when you see it as a friend, that makes your life easier, gives you security and enables you to see every hurdle as an exciting challenge. Even in difficult situations, it gives you the "We'll manage somehow" mentality.

Frequently asked questions about wheelchairs

How do I apply for a wheelchair from the health insurance company?

To apply for a wheelchair, your doctor must diagnose your mobility restrictions and issue a medical certificate. You then select a wheelchair that suits you at the medical supply store and submit the cost estimate together with your medical certificate to your health insurance company.

When is one entitled to a wheelchair?

You are entitled to a wheelchair if your mobility is restricted and you are temporarily or permanently dependent on it. This may be the case after an accident, an illness or an operation, for example.

What should you consider if you are new to wheelchairs?

New wheelchair users should, among other things, stay on level surfaces, always apply the parking brake when transferring from or to the wheelchair and complete mobility and safety training.

Take tips for everyday life in a wheelchair to heart and pass them on

Of course, I can only imagine how it feels to no longer be able to walk from one day to the next. But I definitely know that the wheelchair is an extremely versatile and reliable aid that helps you to get around. more independent and mobile makes.

Be positive, focus on your abilities and see the wheelchair as your friend. In combination with all the tips in this article, this attitude is a solid basis for a pleasant and happy life in a wheelchair.

I very much hope that I have been able to help you. Do you have any questions, suggestions, instructive experiences or other tips for a barrier-free life? Then I look forward to your comments under this article.

Stay positive,

Christoph from CareElite - Plastic-free living

PS: Your stable social environment is important for your well-being. For more intensive conversations with your friends, I can recommend these questions to get to know that make every conversation more exciting and keep it going. Have fun!

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* Links with asterisks are so-called Affiliate linksIf you click on it and buy something, you automatically and actively support my work with CareElite.de, as I receive a small share of the proceeds - and of course nothing changes in the product price. Many thanks for your support and best regards, Christoph!

Christoph Schulz

Christoph Schulz

I'm Christoph, an environmental scientist and author - and here at CareElite I'm campaigning against plastic waste in the environment, climate change and all the other major environmental problems of our time. Together with other environmentally conscious bloggers, I want to give you tips & tricks for a naturally healthy, sustainable life as well as your personal development.

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