Did your doctor just tell you that you are going to need to begin using a wheelchair to get around? If so, you should know you’re not alone.
More than 3 million Americans use wheelchairs regularly. It has forced businesses to adapt and become more wheelchair accessible. It should help you get around better than you’re able to get around now once you have a wheelchair.
Before you invest in a wheelchair, though, you should consult a specialist. A specialist can help you pick out the perfect wheelchair and assist you in various other ways.
They Will Talk to You About Different Types of Wheelchairs
If you haven’t ever had to use a wheelchair before, you may be under the impression that there is only one type of wheelchair. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
There are lots of different kinds of wheelchairs available today, including:
- Complex rehab wheelchairs
- Lightweight manual wheelchairs
- Power wheelchairs
- And more
In some cases, your doctor may have told you that you need to get a specific type of wheelchair. But if this isn’t the case, you’ll need to find out about your options before you even think about trying to invest in a wheelchair. A specialist can help to educate you more about wheelchairs.
They Will Help You Choose the Right Wheelchair
Once you know about the different types of wheelchairs, you might know that you like one over all the rest. But you might also be confused about which one you should pick.
This is yet another area in which a mobility specialist can help you. They can show you which wheelchair would be your best bet based on:
- Why you need to use a wheelchair in the first place
- How wheelchair accessible your home is
- Where you plan on going in a wheelchair
You are going to need to get your hands on a wheelchair that can check all the right boxes for you. A specialist can help you do this by considering all of the right factors.
They Will Show You How a Wheelchair Works
When you watch someone else use a wheelchair, it might look simple enough to get around in one. But in reality, there will be a learning curve associated with using any almost wheelchair.
A specialist will help you get over the hump by walking you through how to use a specific wheelchair. They’ll also watch you use it and make suggestions on how you can make life easier for yourself while you’re in a wheelchair.
The last thing you want to do is start using a wheelchair and bump into things all over the place. A specialist will help you steer clear of doing this by showing you the ins and outs of using any type of wheelchair.
They Will Make Adjustments to a Wheelchair
There is a pretty good chance that a wheelchair isn’t going to fit you like a glove from the second you sit down in it. Adjustments will need to be made to make sure you’re comfortable while sitting in a wheelchair. It’ll help you avoid dealing with musculoskeletal pain down the line.
A specialist will ask you how comfortable you are in a wheelchair when you sit down in it and then adjust it accordingly to prevent you from being in discomfort all the time. A few subtle adjustments can make a big difference when it comes to your comfort level when you’re in a wheelchair.
They Will Service and Repair a Wheelchair as Necessary
When you first get a wheelchair, you shouldn’t have any issues at all with it. But as time goes on, you might find that your wheelchair won’t glide quite as smoothly as it used to.
In this case, you’ll need to have a wheelchair either serviced or repaired to bring it back to life. A specialist will be able to step in and handle servicing or repairing a wheelchair for you.
Ideally, you won’t have to turn to a specialist for service or repairs all that often. But it’ll be nice to know that you’ll have someone in your corner should any problems arise with your wheelchair.
They Will Make You Feel More Comfortable in a Wheelchair
We already touched on how a specialist will adjust a wheelchair to make you feel more comfortable in a physical sense. But they’re also going to give you more confidence when you climb into a wheelchair for the first time and begin using it.
If you don’t have anyone to show you the ropes when you start using a wheelchair, you might not feel comfortable leaving the house in it. This could take a serious toll on your social life and lead to you living a lonely existence.
A specialist will make sure that you don’t feel uncomfortable with the idea of leaving home and exploring the world in a wheelchair. This alone will make relying on a specialist before you invest in a wheelchair well worth it.
Contact Us to Speak With a Specialist About Wheelchairs
Are you on the verge of buying a new wheelchair? A specialist from Freedom Mobility Center, Inc. would be more than happy to help you pick one out.
This specialist will also teach you how to use a wheelchair properly and adjust your wheelchair so that it’s comfortable for you. It’ll make getting around in a wheelchair so much easier and allow you to live a more fulfilling life.
Get in touch with us today to consult with a specialist about buying a wheelchair.