Post by Amy Lombardi on Apr 24, 2009 15:52:30 GMT -5
Subject: Customized Wheelchair
Posted by Lisa Faret
Mar 8th, 2009 - 1:54 PM
Hi,
Ryan took a fall during PT last week. He sprained his ankle pretty badly. He has a simple fold-up type of wheel chair, but we need to order a more customized wheel chair for him that would be good for long term use. Does anyone have suggestions of what features I should ask for in a wheel chair for him? He's 21 years old, about 6' tall and weighs about 190 lbs.
Thanks,
Lisa
Tini Montavon
Mar 9th, 2009 - 5:15 AM
Hi Lisa, Sorry to hear of Ryan's fall.
Here are some things you may want to consider when deciding on a new chair for Ryan. These things were important to me, they may be for you to or may not be. I wanted Jeff to be able to move himself independently in the new chair. He wheeled himself about in the fold up chair and got where he wanted to be in the classroom and at home, I did not want to take that away from him. This was very important to me. I also wanted a tilt option, so that when he fell asleep he could be tilted back to help eliminate the head drooping or the excessive leaning. Think of what Ryan's needs are and share with your PT. Also think of what future needs may be. Remember you will have this chair for a few years. We have a tray that goes on his chair but have not used it yet, but its here when we decide it may be useful. Good communication of your wants. Good Luck.
Georgia Sharp
Mar 9th, 2009 - 6:02 AM
Hi Lisa,
I woould recommend a custom seat, made out of gel to avoid bottom sores, side supports, a chest harness, leg/foot supports that are adjustable(bend and lock like a knee), a foot brake bar, and that the wheelchair be tiltable. I also highly recommend a tray that slides, not clips, over the armrests. Head support gets tricky....we have tried at least 5 with no success for either girl. Both like to left lean and put their head and neck under or to the side of the head rest. We have tried forehead straps, again with no success. You'll have to experiment in this area, and it will change as time goes on. If head/neck support becomes an issue, I highly recommend a hessinger neck support, not attached to the chair. It is like a neck collar, but much more comfortable. We waited to long to address Korry's head hanging, and now we have to use botox to loosen her up. Hope this helps, feel free to contact me directly is you have any questions. I could probably get my husband to e-mail you photos of our chairs if you would like. Georgia
peg davis
Mar 10th, 2009 - 10:15 AM
hello! when Holly started to lean i tried about everything i could think of but finally just put a small pillow on the side she was leaning on and she would stop--if she leaned the other way i would transfewr it to that side--she doesn't lean on it--seems to be just a reminder??? Peg
Nori
Mar 9th, 2009 - 7:18 AM
Lisa,
I am very sorry to hear that Ryan is at this point. He has always reminded me of my two boys so much, our boys were big strapping boys who maintained thier abilities to walk, talk etc. for a long time like Ryan has. They were both very friendly and loved to interact with people..............anyway Ryan is very much like them It took a a long time to get the right chair set up for them but we finally got it right. We got the "InvaCare Tilt-in-Space" chairs. The tilting ability is infinite and does not put pressure on the great veins at the tops of the legs. (to avoid blood clots) We used "honeycomb" seat cushions because they could be washed in the washer after bladder accidents and completely avoided pressure sores. We had tall curved back rests that were in place of side supports because side supports caused sores. We used a very wide head support that was as wide as the backrest that they couldn't slide their heads off to the side and chest straps instead of a "butterfly" vest to avoid stagulation accidents. I have forgotten the brand names of some of these components but I'm sure the wheelchair expert will know what they are. One more thing..... get a wheelchair assessment from the hospital and do not take the advice of the saleman who will claim to be an expert but does not understand physiology etc.
Good Luck!
I didn't want my boys to be able to drive, they ran into everything! they still did it though!
Mary Bortz
Mar 11th, 2009 - 4:15 AM
My girls always leaned to the left - so much that we had to park Mary Alice next to a wall! Anyway, like Peg said, we used pillows, stuffed anything we could think of to keep her upright with little success. After all these years Abby's last chair (Quickie tilt in space) was customed fit to her body - some kind of computerized seating and it worked. She sat up a straight as could be. I was amazed. So, there is something out there I just don't know why it took so long to get it. The tech that fit the chair was wonderful. There is a difference. You might want to check the websites for the various companies to see what accessories (headrest, footplates, etc.) they offer that you think Ryan would be comfortable with. That way you'll have more of an idea what you may want. Also, the Invacare that Nori mentioned has a handle that can be tilted so we taller care providers can push it easier - not available on the Quickie. Do your homework and plan for the future - the chair will probably have to last for 5-6 years before being replaced.
Posted by Lisa Faret
Mar 8th, 2009 - 1:54 PM
Hi,
Ryan took a fall during PT last week. He sprained his ankle pretty badly. He has a simple fold-up type of wheel chair, but we need to order a more customized wheel chair for him that would be good for long term use. Does anyone have suggestions of what features I should ask for in a wheel chair for him? He's 21 years old, about 6' tall and weighs about 190 lbs.
Thanks,
Lisa
Tini Montavon
Mar 9th, 2009 - 5:15 AM
Hi Lisa, Sorry to hear of Ryan's fall.
Here are some things you may want to consider when deciding on a new chair for Ryan. These things were important to me, they may be for you to or may not be. I wanted Jeff to be able to move himself independently in the new chair. He wheeled himself about in the fold up chair and got where he wanted to be in the classroom and at home, I did not want to take that away from him. This was very important to me. I also wanted a tilt option, so that when he fell asleep he could be tilted back to help eliminate the head drooping or the excessive leaning. Think of what Ryan's needs are and share with your PT. Also think of what future needs may be. Remember you will have this chair for a few years. We have a tray that goes on his chair but have not used it yet, but its here when we decide it may be useful. Good communication of your wants. Good Luck.
Georgia Sharp
Mar 9th, 2009 - 6:02 AM
Hi Lisa,
I woould recommend a custom seat, made out of gel to avoid bottom sores, side supports, a chest harness, leg/foot supports that are adjustable(bend and lock like a knee), a foot brake bar, and that the wheelchair be tiltable. I also highly recommend a tray that slides, not clips, over the armrests. Head support gets tricky....we have tried at least 5 with no success for either girl. Both like to left lean and put their head and neck under or to the side of the head rest. We have tried forehead straps, again with no success. You'll have to experiment in this area, and it will change as time goes on. If head/neck support becomes an issue, I highly recommend a hessinger neck support, not attached to the chair. It is like a neck collar, but much more comfortable. We waited to long to address Korry's head hanging, and now we have to use botox to loosen her up. Hope this helps, feel free to contact me directly is you have any questions. I could probably get my husband to e-mail you photos of our chairs if you would like. Georgia
peg davis
Mar 10th, 2009 - 10:15 AM
hello! when Holly started to lean i tried about everything i could think of but finally just put a small pillow on the side she was leaning on and she would stop--if she leaned the other way i would transfewr it to that side--she doesn't lean on it--seems to be just a reminder??? Peg
Nori
Mar 9th, 2009 - 7:18 AM
Lisa,
I am very sorry to hear that Ryan is at this point. He has always reminded me of my two boys so much, our boys were big strapping boys who maintained thier abilities to walk, talk etc. for a long time like Ryan has. They were both very friendly and loved to interact with people..............anyway Ryan is very much like them It took a a long time to get the right chair set up for them but we finally got it right. We got the "InvaCare Tilt-in-Space" chairs. The tilting ability is infinite and does not put pressure on the great veins at the tops of the legs. (to avoid blood clots) We used "honeycomb" seat cushions because they could be washed in the washer after bladder accidents and completely avoided pressure sores. We had tall curved back rests that were in place of side supports because side supports caused sores. We used a very wide head support that was as wide as the backrest that they couldn't slide their heads off to the side and chest straps instead of a "butterfly" vest to avoid stagulation accidents. I have forgotten the brand names of some of these components but I'm sure the wheelchair expert will know what they are. One more thing..... get a wheelchair assessment from the hospital and do not take the advice of the saleman who will claim to be an expert but does not understand physiology etc.
Good Luck!
I didn't want my boys to be able to drive, they ran into everything! they still did it though!
Mary Bortz
Mar 11th, 2009 - 4:15 AM
My girls always leaned to the left - so much that we had to park Mary Alice next to a wall! Anyway, like Peg said, we used pillows, stuffed anything we could think of to keep her upright with little success. After all these years Abby's last chair (Quickie tilt in space) was customed fit to her body - some kind of computerized seating and it worked. She sat up a straight as could be. I was amazed. So, there is something out there I just don't know why it took so long to get it. The tech that fit the chair was wonderful. There is a difference. You might want to check the websites for the various companies to see what accessories (headrest, footplates, etc.) they offer that you think Ryan would be comfortable with. That way you'll have more of an idea what you may want. Also, the Invacare that Nori mentioned has a handle that can be tilted so we taller care providers can push it easier - not available on the Quickie. Do your homework and plan for the future - the chair will probably have to last for 5-6 years before being replaced.