5mo ago

What should I know about using a wheelchair for the first time?

I just messed my ankle up and am going to a conference in a couple days where I normally walk 15-25 miles/day for the next week.

I've been advised to use a wheelchair instead of crutches. And will rent one when I get there.

I get the feeling that I'm throwing myself into the fire here, having never used a wheelchair before, and likely spending a crazy amount of time in one moving around over the next week.

I usually can't deal with sitting down for more than an hour or so before my back hurts, so I'm worried about that.

What advice do you all have for me? What do I need to know? What pro-tips should I take for the next week?

30 comments

If you can, get one of these:

I've never used one, but I know 2 people who have and most of what they have said is positive.
- Definitely this, and maybe a motorized scooter for days that really require you to move around. Also check the conference site or call them to see if they offer any accommodations. But, OP, you're probably not gonna be making it 15-25 miles a day no matter what you do. Be honest with yourself and others about your limitations and don't push yourself too hard. Have a backup plan to get around if you need to.
- This looks sick. 100% might be just what I need.
- From what I've been told, these things are terrible on your knees if you put your weight on them. So think of it as a crutch, not a skateboard.
  YMMV.
  
  You can pretty much sit down completely on them. I had ankle surgery and rode down the street all the time on it lol.
- Exactly what I was going to suggest. My mom had ankle surgery earlier this year and used one for a few weeks while recovering.

Just make sure you practice before trying the advanced stuff.
- It saddens me that the clip ended early. I have no idea if he did a sweet trick and stuck the landing, or is dead. There is no inbetween.

A rental wheelchair is going to be kind of the worst, because it's not fitted to you and your needs. But at least you can stand up now and then for a break. Be prepared for the fact you're no longer at eye level with most people around you, and you're probably at boob level for many of the women. Some say this is why the old tradition of having a lap blanket began, but I just made that up. If you're trying to get across the street and idiots are standing around on the curb cut, don't get there and say "Excuse me." Because they're selfish bastards and you'll get run over by a car before they move. Cross full speed, (whether you or someone else is pushing) and about ¾ of the way there, yell "WATCH YER BACK!" so they can jump in self-preservation. The phrase also works in crowds.
Oh, and wear your seatbelt.

Go up ramps backwards to prevent falling onto your head.
Wheelchair ramps rarely have the correct slope. Every day is arm day.
I don’t know what’s wrong with you and sitting, but you can put in the brake for your wheelchair and do dips or something if it helps
- Thanks for the tip and advice.
  Yeah it's just that poor posture over time (been fixing it with PT) has caused... Problems. Sitting usually results in ever increasingly intense lower back pain, especially if there is minimal lumbar support

Maybe you could rent a mobility scooter instead? Some are suitable for indoors (3 wheels) and the speed is adjustable. It might save the use of your arms and hands, which are not used to the movements you need to make

My suggestions:
Use crutches. If the wheelchair causes even more hurt, it's no good.
Switch between standing (with crutches) and sitting as often as possible, all day long.
Watch your hurt foot: I assume you should not put your weight on it at all.
Watch your other foot: If you give it double work (that would be the natural thing), it is going to hurt soon.
Forget the 25 miles. Or, if you absolutely need to go the 25 miles, you need that wheelchair and someone who pushes you.
- Yeah, I'm learning already after just an evening on it that the other foot pulling double duty is not liking it.
  Is the armpit pain from crutches something you just get used to?
  
  Fun fact: even "regular style" crutches are not actually supposed to rest in your armpits! You are supposed to hold onto the arm portion and use them similarly to the above crutches. When we adjusted that for the spouse, we had to shorten the crutches by like 2-3 inches and he said it was WAY more comfortable.
  There are some videos on YouTube by physiotherapists etc that were supremely helpful - recommend giving them a quick watch and readjusting your crutches.
  Source: spouse recently broke the hell out of his foot and also Had Shit To Do™.
  
  I recommend the style of crutches that don't go to your armpit, forearm crutches. I was on crutches for months a few years back and that was much more comfortable for me at least.
  
  Is the armpit pain from crutches something you just get used to?
  I don't know. Ours do not touch any armpits, they are looking like this:
  https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Ay17TzMCL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

Make sure you have your shiv handy so when someone is "helpful" and tries to push you without asking first you can get em right in the kidney

Maybe get an electric wheelchair if you can. If you're not working out regularly, pushing a wheelchair by hand all day could be a challenge, and you'll definitely sore to the bone the next day.

Black Hat.

If you're going through the airport, and you request a wheelchair pusher, ask them if they accept tips.
If they do, tip them a $20. You'll make their day. But don't offer food as a tip. Don't offer foreign money, or $2 bills, or coin dollars. It's not neat. It's not cool. It's either a currency I can't use to pay my rent, or it's a really really low amount of currency that I can't cover rent with.
And if you see one guy doing the work of 7 guys, don't complain that you have to go get your bags. EVERYBODY has to go get your bags, and if one guy is doing everything, it means they're short staffed. If thats the case, squeeky wheel gets the oil is the opposite. Squeeky wheel gets left the longest in hopes that family will take them instead.

30 comments