Reader Mail

• Shopping Wheelchair I understand there is a new wheelchair accessory on the market that will enable wheelchair users to attach directly to shopping carts and shop from their own chair. Do you know of this item and who is the manufacturer? Do you know of a company called... 04-09-2007, 1:36 PM by Editor to Equipment 6687 Views Filed under: custom wheelchair, attachable wheelchair

• Beach Wheelchair Tires I am looking for balloon-type tires to construct a beach wheelchair. Any advice or direction is appreciated. Jim Answer: Jim, the same strategy we recommended to Debbie will also work for you: use Google to search for the term "beach wheelchair" into... 04-09-2007, 1:34 PM by Editor to Parts 6509 Views Filed under: beach wheelchair, wheelchair tires

• Bariatric Wheelchairs I am looking for a power chair suitable for a larger person. I tend to find that chairs suitable for a heavier weight do not have a wide enough seat. Can you suggest anything? Lynda Answer: Absolutely. Head on over to wheelchairs.com. They sell a the... 04-09-2007, 1:33 PM by Editor to Equipment 2491 Views Filed under: bariatric wheelchair, custom wheelchair

• Paralympian wheelchairs Can you give me the dimensions for the sports wheelchairs used by paralympians? I understand some of them might be too wide for entrances to buildings, restaurants etc. I am the guest with disabilities coordinator at General Motors Place and would like... 04-09-2007, 1:31 PM by Editor to Sports 2656 Views Filed under: sports wheelchairs, wheelchair sports, paralympics

• Holidays for wheelchair users Would like to know more about holidays for disabled wheelchair users – tours by coach in accessible coach. Nuala Ireland Answer: The internet has made this kind of information much more accessible (we’re so funny). Check out sites like: assistireland.ie,... 04-09-2007, 1:30 PM by Editor to Travel 3113 Views Filed under: wheelchair travel accessible travel

• Vocational school training for wheelchair repair I'm looking for a vocational school or course from a wheelchair company that will teach repair. Kevin Answer: As difficult as this may be to believe, we were unable to locate a single vocational school offering a “wheelchair technician” qualification... 04-09-2007, 1:28 PM by Editor to Repair 5314 Views Filed under: wheelchair repair

• Collecting pop can tabs for charity We were told that by collecting can tags we could help in the purchase of a wheelchair. Could you let me know if it is true or not and, if it is, which organization must I contact to donate the tags? We have the possibility, as an office, to collect a... 04-09-2007, 1:26 PM by Editor to Donation 10123 Views Filed under: wheelchair donation wheelchair fundraising

• Beach Wheelchair We are looking for a wheelchair that would be able to go on the beach, possibly powered? My daughter suffered a spinal cord injury and will be going to the New Jersey shore after her prom in June. Would love for her to have some independence. Debbie Answer:... 04-09-2007, 1:24 PM by Editor to Travel 2553 Views Filed under: all terrain beach wheelchair electric wheelchair

• Wheelchair Cyclical Lever Drive Question: I am interested to know about Cyclical Lever drives for a wheelchair and the cost. Answer: Unfortunately the options for cyclical lever drives are limited. Invacare makes the CLD Lever Drive LH6, which retails for $1256, but they don’t really... 10-25-2006, 11:06 AM by Editor to Parts 5319 Views

• Wheelchair Pedal Cycle Attachment Question: hi my name is tony williams and i am 39 and a keen fitness person having been a bodyguard in the royal military police. i lost my left leg A/K in 2000 but wish to remain active i have recently returned from holiday were i met a german wheelchair... 10-25-2006, 11:05 AM by Editor to Parts 4471 Views

• Raised Toilet Seat Question: Good morning, I am enquiring for my mother who is in a wheelchair and is looking for a "raised" toilet seat, but not the typical raised toilet seats one finds everywhere. She has had a "raised" toilet seat for the past 16 years and is looking... 10-25-2006, 11:05 AM by Editor to Accessibility 4276 Views

• Wall Heater Guard Question: Hello. My brother-in-law has MS and we need help. Do you have any ideas on how we can protect our wall heater from his wheelchair? He is constantly knocking it off the frame. One day I know it is going to explode. I need some ways to build or... 10-25-2006, 11:04 AM by Editor to Parts 3700 Views

• Used Accessibility Products Question: About three weeks ago I received a power wheelchair that is a real help getting around. The power chair that I received breaks down into three pieces, so it can can fit into my car's trunk. The problem is every time I lift up the pieces I re-injure... 10-25-2006, 11:03 AM by Editor to Accessibility 2627 Views

• Subsidizing Wheelchair Costs Question: I am a single, disabled mother with a very low income. I am trying to get authorization from my insurance company for a power wheelchair. I don't know yet if they will cover it for me. I have been dealing with a debilitating problem for many... 10-25-2006, 11:01 AM by Editor to Medicare 3993 Views

• Accessibility Email and Chat Sites Question: I have a teenager (13) who is wheelchair bound and I am looking for sites she can chat on line with kids her age and with her disability so she can relate better. ~A. Trombley Answer: Here are a few communities you and she might check out: ·... 10-25-2006, 10:54 AM by Editor to Accessibility 2744 Views

• Airline Type Wheelchair Question: I am looking for a very narrow wheelchair to get someone into the bathroom and back out. I was thinking of the type that the airlines use to bring a handicapped person up a plane aisle. I called a couple of airlines but they have no idea who... 10-25-2006, 9:33 AM by Editor to Travel 3615 Views

• Wheelchair Access to Stage Question: Our Church has started its new building and has included a ramp for the stage area (as required) but this 11 m ramp will create issues in the hall area - where kids play, kids programs are conducted, etc. What other methods of providing access... 10-25-2006, 9:22 AM by Editor to Accessibility 2764 Views

• Beach Wheelchair Question: Searching on line for the best wheelchair to use at the beach is confusing at best. Wondering what consumers/users have found to be the best. Thank you. Alice Answer: A large part of your search for the best beach wheelchair will involve deciding... 10-25-2006, 9:21 AM by Editor to Accessibility 2664 Views

• Wheelchair Repair Training Question: I would like to receive some repair training, have any suggestions where to start? thank you ~Beth Answer: A good place to start is our article on easy wheelchair repair and our blog post on wheelchair repair training . Some manufacturers -... 10-25-2006, 9:17 AM by Editor to Repair 7846 Views

• Reclining Wheelchair Question: I have a sister that is 29 and weighs 27 pounds. I need something that I can push like a stroller that she can recline in since she is so weak and twisted that she cannot sit up. Do you have anything like that or know of anything? thanks, ~Wanda... 10-25-2006, 9:16 AM by Editor to Accessibility 2516 Views

• Two-Wheeled Vehicle Question: I'm trying to find information about a vehicle you stand on that has two wheels, and was supposed to be a new way of getting around. If you have any information concerning this device I would appreciate your help. Thanks, Brad Answer: I’m not... 10-25-2006, 9:09 AM by Editor to Accessibility 2963 Views

• Turning Circle of Electric Wheel Chairs Question: We are designing a ramp for disabled access at our College which will have to turn back on itself by 180 degrees. What is the general turning circle for an electric wheelchair please? Ian Answer: In comparison to front-wheel drive and mid-wheel... 10-25-2006, 8:57 AM by Editor to Accessibility 3286 Views

• Low Profile Wheelchair Question: My wife recently became unable to walk or support weight due to a cancer that attacked her backbone- multiple myeloma. We are hoping that within a few months she can regain that ability.. But in the meantime….wheelchair van transport to the... 10-25-2006, 8:56 AM by Editor to Accessibility 2656 Views

• All-Terrain Chair Question: My Mom cannot walk in the woods anymore. She doesn’t have balance or strength. But she would love to go on the trails. What kind of a wheelchair would work for her? (We assume we would push the wheelchair.) The ground is uneven, so we think... 10-25-2006, 8:54 AM by Editor to Accessibility 2894 Views

• Wheelchair Width Question: What is the width of a standard wheelchair? Thank you very much, ~Vicki Answer: A standard manual wheelchair with an 18 inch seat will generally have an overall width of 24.5 to 26.5 inches. As a rule, the overall width of the chair tends to... 10-25-2006, 8:53 AM by Editor to Accessibility 23203 Views