The Right Stuff

Is a wheelchair only as good as its parts? It is difficult to see the whole picture without considering the individual pieces that make it roll.

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For those of us who use a manual wheelchair once in a while or nearly all the time, we know very well the importance of selecting the right one that fits our body, living environment, and lifestyle. As with everything, tradeoffs and personal preferences must be considered.

An ultralight wheelchair is generally considered to be a manual chair weighing less than 25 pounds, complete for use. It is clearly desirable to have it be as light as possible, yet it must be functional. A lightweight wheelchair is easier to start/stop, propel uphill, and load into a car. Weight varies with the type of wheelchair and setup. Items such as armrests, parking brakes, anti-tippers, and push handles add mass to make the overall chair heavier.

Frame materials, such as steel, aluminum, titanium, and composites, have some influence on the overall mass, but frames typically contribute about 1/4 to 1/3 of the total weight. Wheel type also affects the overall mass. Therefore, many experienced users select wheels with composite spokes.

Critical users are particular about every aspect of their wheelchairs and do not add components they do not need. Fortunately, many accessories can be removed if they are no longer needed.

Wheelchair style influences its performance and the perception of the user. Many of us had to adjust to a new self-image after being wounded, injured, or becoming ill as we integrated a wheelchair into our new lifestyle. In many ways a wheelchair is a reflection of individuals’ mobility needs, their living environment, and their sense of style.

Users like Quickie Designs founder Marilyn Hamilton design their wheelchairs to make a personal statement. She uses colors like pink, purple, and gold, and combinations that are feminine and athletic. She also includes accessories like upholstery covers with color to express her personal motto, “If you can’t stand up, stand out.”

Many recently injured veterans select digital camouflage for the frame coating and upholstery, and have a patch for their branch of service sewn to their backrest upholstery. Vietnam veteran Gary Orlando recently observed that it is nice to see veterans identifying themselves through their chairs; he selected a new chair with desert camouflage and a U.S. Army patch. His motivation was to show unanimity with veterans of all eras.

Check out the complete article in the March 2010 S’NS.

2010 Wheelchair Manufacturers

The following companies responded by our deadline to a request for information. S’NS and PVA do not endorse products or services. Readers should thoroughly investigate companies before making purchases.

	Better Made Wheelchairs LTD #8 4699 61 Street Red Deer, Alberta, Canada T4N 7C9 408-340-1191 / 340-3143 (fax) bmw@bettermadewheels.com www.bettermadewheels.com
	Colours ’N Motion 860 East Parkridge Avenue Corona, CA 92879 800-892-8998 / 951-808-9131 / 808-9949 (fax) www.colourswheelchair.com
	Eagle Sportschairs 2351 Parkwood Road Snellville, GA 30039 800-932-9380 / 770-972-0763 / 985-4885 (fax) bewing@bellsouth.net
	Lasher Sport P.O. Box 112044 Anchorage, AK 99511 907-529-8833 / 346-2256 (fax) contact@lashersport.com www.lashersport.com
	Marvel Wheelchairs 7 Fraser Avenue Unit 8 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6Y 1X7 416-535-7376 / 877-833-7376 www.marvelwheelchairs.com
	Sunrise Medical 7477 East Dry Creek Parkway Longmont, CO 80503 800-333-4000 www.sunrisemedical.com
	TiLite 1426 East 3rd Avenue Kennewick, WA 99337 509-586-6117 / 586-2413 (fax) www.tilite.com
	Top End 4501 63rd Circle North Pinellas Park, FL 33781 800-532-8677 / 522-8677 / 522-1007 (fax) mcpeterson@invacare.com www.topendwheelchair.com

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