Manual Wheelchairs

Seen one of those wheelchairs your grandfather or grandmother is using for months now? Are they manually operated? If yes, then you’ve spotted nothing but the manual wheelchairs.

Manual wheelchairs have been around for decades already. Thousands of people have already been using them and that many of its users can attest to how helpful or valuable these mobility aids are for the seniors and disabled individuals. As what most claims have revealed, a manual wheelchair can help a disable to move around the house either by himself or with a company. The most important thing to note about this product though is that unlike the latest and most advanced electrically powered units, they need enough muscle power from its passenger. Moving around the house can be made lighter if assistance from another person is available.

There are a number of types of manual wheelchairs. The most common of them is the folding frame wheelchairs. As what reviews and claims have revealed, this unit is basically so conventional in form. They are designed and built with a brace shaped in X. This letter shape is so visible at the center of the brace, and this is what basically makes the unit foldable.

The X-shaped brace wheelchairs are typically easy to fold. The main problem, however, is that they are heavy and bulky. There are even some users who may find it difficult to lift or load into a vehicle if a transport is needed. Assistance from another party is definitely needed here.

Although that typically heavy, there are also several models of manual wheelchairs that are a bit lighter. These lightweight options are the market’s newer versions, and they aren’t that heavy simply for the fact that they are not built from steel. The main problem of these options is that they are composed of a number of different parts, making it complicated for the user to install and dismantle the chair after use. Its footrests may also be crafted heavyweight, but foldable.

Another disadvantage of the folding frame wheelchairs is that they are not made as durable as the rigid manual wheelchair units. Most of their joints move in certain directions, then making it possible for them to collapse. They also are susceptible to wearing and tearing, and every party may find it difficult for the unit’s moving joints to be properly aligned.

The second type of manual wheelchairs, on the other hand, is labeled as the rigid frame wheelchairs. Unlike the first mentioned type, this mobility device feature joints that are welded. It also often boasts a seat back that is highly foldable for transport. In terms of wheels, the unit comes with wheels that are built with easy to release axles. These axles can even be fitted into a car or any vehicle with less hassle.

Yes, loading a rigid manual wheelchair into a car is so easy and quick. Anyone can do it without any assistance, and this is made possible simply for the reason that the units are made from lightweight materials, like aluminum. The material used for this product typically weighs ten to twenty pounds minus the wheels. Other than that, the rigid models have footrests that are attached to a well-built frame. This frame runs across the front platform-like. And, much to your surprise, the rigid frame units carry a latching bar linked into the footrests, and this too is functional.

If you’ll look at these types of manual wheelchairs, you’ll notice that both have their own benefits. It is the rigid frame wheelchairs, however, which are highly preferred simply for two reasons: lightness and efficiency. So if you pick this option, then you’re not alone.