Wheelchairs have come a long way from their humble beginningas simple chairs with wheels. The modern wheelchair has been around for more than 200 years, and improvements continue to be made. At the same time, societies and cultures all over the world have come far in accepting and helping those who rely on wheelchairs.

However, random and fleeting encounters between people in wheelchairs and those who aren't, definitely do not prepare either for everyday interaction.

This first installment of our 3-part series on wheelchair etiquette deals with wheelchairs in the office. Below are tips for those who are in wheelchairs and for those who aren't.

If you're the one on a wheelchair

Unless someone at workreally dislikes you, your colleagues would most likely give you the space you need to move around. However, this doesn't give you the license to be president of the universe and demand that all work situations accommodate you.

Be pleasant and acknowledge the little favors everyone does for you. If you're male, it would be nice to let the girls go ahead of you sometimes. You may even open doors for them. Saying "thank you" will always get you further.

Sometimes, you colleagues could have the tendency to fuss over you a little too much, especially when they know you're not feeling well, or if they see that you have to deal with a tough load. It is perfectly fine to politely refuse their help when you're sure that you don't need any. On the flip side, offer them help when you can.

If you have a colleague in a wheelchair

You are never obliged to be nice. However, as a person, you are expected to be respectful. It would be helpful for you and everyone else to develop your peripheral vision. A lot of accidents could be avoided.

Saying that you're sorry when necessary will also get you a long way. Offer help whenever you can, and I'm sure that your disabled colleague will lend you a hand in turn. You might even end up being good friends!

Wheelchairshave been an important part of society. From helping wounded soldiers during the war, to helping the physically disabled to engage in various sporting activities—even allowing them to form professional athletic leagues of their own.

However, most of us, including those who use wheelchairs, don’t even know how wheelchairs came about. Below is a series of interesting wheelchair tidbits that are arranged in chronological order to give you a brief history of the wheelchair’s development.

Macedonia: 4000 B.C.

The wheel and the chair were two separate inventions that existed at the same period in Macedonia.

The Greeks: 530 B.C.

Illustrated vases found among Greek relics show beds on wheels. This suggests that the Greeks were the ones who initiated putting furniture on wheels.

The Chinese: 3rd Century A.D.

It was during the 3rd Century that the Chinese thought of attaching wheels to the legs of a chair to be able to transport the elderly and those who, for one reason or another, have difficulty walking.

The Romans 1553

The Romans, being…Romans, thought that wheels attached to chairs is a genius way of making the disabled work in the fields so that production won’t suffer.

King Philip II of Spain: 1595

The King wanted to be wheeled from one drinking spree to another in true royal comfort. So he decided that his wheeled-chair must have a footrest. We can all thank King Philip II for introducing the first wheelchair with a footrest.

Stephen Farfler: 1655

A disabled watch maker at 22, Stephen Farfler came up with the idea of making a self-propelled wheelchair. He got tired of having to wait for people to wheel him to where he needed to go. This allowed him to finish workingon more watches.

John Dawson: 1783

We owe the adjustable footrests and the reclining backrests to John Dawson. Dawson’s modifications opened people’s eyes to more opportunities to improve the wheelchair—including provisions for holding bags and cups.

Having to rely on a wheelchair could dissuade you from exploring the outdoors. However, spending some time away from the city could actually help make you feel better overall.

The idea of spending a night away from the comforts of your home could seem daunting. Taking smart precautions and being prepared will make the experience worth all the effort.

Make sure you have the right kind of wheelchair

Before you even consider going into the woods or camping by the lake, check if your wheelchair is up for the challenge. Your wheels should have enough traction for the type of terrain you’ll be up against. Bring a wheel patch kit for good measure. Waterproof the entire wheelchair to avoid rust later on. And make sure your wheelchair brakes do their job.

Based on your needs, activities, and the places you intend to go to, figure out whether a light wheelchair or a heavy, mechanized wheelchair is better. Remember that mechanized wheelchairs run on batteries so you might have to bring a spare battery to be safe.

Make sure people know where you are

This is a basic, general camping rule. If you and your buddies settle in a huge area, there is always a big risk of somebody getting lost. It would be wise to attach some kind of noise maker to your wheelchair so that it would be easy for you to find them and vice versa.

Equip your wheelchair with reflectors. Attach pouches and bags to your wheelchair to make space for basic needs like water, a little food, some money, and a change of clothes.

The buddy system

This is highly recommended for large groups. Everyone has an equal chance of getting left behind. Pick someone reliable and fairly knowledgeable of the outdoors. Brief your buddy on the basic functions of your wheelchair before you even leave for your trip.

If your buddy happens to be a girl, you might even follow up your trip together with a date.

Although wheelchairs require fewer parts than cars, the same care and attention should be given to wheelchairs. Because like a car, it is always a hassle to have something broken, causing a break down in the middle of the road.

As we wait for some brilliant capitalist to come up with a wheelchair-wash, you have to take things upon yourself and act now. Your wheelchair might not be able to wait for the wheelchair-wash to become a reality. Here are 3 simple tips on how you can do basic periodic wheelchair maintenance using cleaning stuff that are readily available.

1. Dry, damp, dry

This rule applies to every part of your wheelchair, and this is the rule that begins the maintenance process. Using a dry, soft cloth, wipe off dust and dirt from all surfaces. Then, use another cloth you can wet, and wipe the surfaces again. This is to remove stubborn stains. Go back to using your dry cloth for drying off.

2. Take precautionary measures against rust

Products that allow you to waterproof leather and fabric are great for your wheelchair seat. You won’t have to worry about the seat smelling bad or the leather peeling after being accidentally left out in the rain.

Products that protect metal from rust may be used for the frame of your wheelchair. Make sure you get the joints where parts are hinged or screwed together.

3. Make sure rubber parts still provide traction and grip

Wheel maintenance doesn’t end with making sure they are inflated. It is also important to be aware of whether or not they can still provide friction to make sure that you remain in control of where you want to go.

Check the lock and break mechanisms. Make sure the pads can still do their job to prevent accidents, especially if you often find yourself in uneven terrains.

Who said only cars have the right to bling and cool accessories? Your wheelchair can very well be a blank canvas on which you can do anything. Today, we give you 3 tips on how you can dress up your wheelchair. 

1. Add art
1. Air brush art

The best area to have anything airbrushed on is behind your backrest. Standard manual wheelchairs have nice smooth backrests ideal for air brush art. The surface area is big enough, making the artwork more visible and easier to apply. Even surfaces like your backrest also make drying more even.  

Usually, air brush art produces pieces in deep, bold colors with thick outlines. This is great if you like graffiti art or if you’re into neo-impressionism. Air bush is also the way to go if you’d like to immortalize actors or musicians on your backrest. 

2. Hand painted art

You’d be amazed to learn that you can fit murals in your backrest. With the right artist, you recreate famous frescos and even iconic paintings. If you prefer something edgier, you can have a little Andy Warhol painted on your backrest. If you fancy Warhol’s soup can, wheelchairs with a reclining back have enough space to accommodate that. 

2. Add bling

Instead of painted art, you can opt to add shiny metal pieces onto your wheelchair. You can make your wheelchair wear simple wardrobe accessories like spiky cuffs and wallet chains. For extra toughness, you can use an old, beat-up leather belt with metal studs. Have someone sew it onto the backrest or use super-glue.  

3. Accessorize

More and more employers are hiring people with disabilities, predominantly because employers have come to realize that disabilities do not hinder brilliant skills and potential. Perhaps you have worked with a person with disabilities before. But if it is your first time to work with people with disabilities, consider the following tips:

Seek more information about your co-worker’s disabilities

The more you know about your co-worker’s disability, the more you will understand what he is going through. The best way to know him is to befriend him and try to talk to him about it. Be aware though that disabled people have varying comfort levels when it comes to opening up about their disabilities. It is always best to be polite when asking. Another good idea is to research about the disability. There are a number of resources available online that would help co-workers understand how people deal with their disabilities and how to better interact with them.

Be sensitive to their needs

Lobby for office equipment and accommodations that cater to the needs of disabled co-employees. Automatic doors and ramped walkways must be available, especially if your co-employer’s mobility is impaired. The employer must also provide modified or adjustable workstations.

Focus on achieving targets

The most important thing to remember is that disabled people are like any other person. The only difference is that they may do things differently. However, you must remember that you all work to achieve the same results. It thus becomes important to look at your disabled co-employee as a member of your team. Focusing on delivering positive results will help you realize that your co-employee’s disability is not really a hindrance. In the end, what is important is that he can do his job well.

Nobody wants to be wheelchair-bound for the rest of his or her life. Here are 3 ways to help you or your loved one make the transition form wheelchair to walker:

1.      Think it, see it

The progression automatically begins the moment you genuinely think about wanting to get off your chair and start using a walker. You can strengthen this desire by checking out walker models and cool walker accessories. Print out a photo of the walker you like and place it where you're certain to see it every day. Better yet, post it on the backrest of your wheelchair so you can see it before settling into it every day. Every moment you get, visualize yourself using your walker.

2.      Write down what you want to achieve in "x" number of days

Knowing which walker you want is not enough. You have to work to deserve that shiny new walker. Having daily goals assures that you progress a little every day. Remember to set realistic goals so you don't end up frustrating yourself. Do not give yourself a reason to give up.

More than physical improvement, it is a good idea to find a deeper, more personal motivation to answer why you want to progress to a walker.

3.      Allow people to help you

Help does not mean letting others do everything for you. Help can mean allowing someone to cheer you on and to make sure that you stick to the game plan. Help can also mean having them do their own work out while you do yours—think of it as having a gym buddy. You can even come up with a reward system that allows you both to share a good meal or to catch a movie together after you both successfully complete particular individual goals.

You might not know it, but allowing people to become involved in your progression might give them the push they need to develop their own goals and eventually become successful.

Take control

Being in control of your condition is the key. Do not let the situation dictate what you can or cannot do. If you think that you want to do it, the method will follow. Below are 3 simple steps towards athleticism, and they don’t even require a single penny:

·         Honesty in assessing physical capabilities and limits so as you do not injure yourself

·         Set realistic goals as this will draw out your diet and training scheme

·         Start low and slow and then progress towards more weights or more reps, depending on your athletic goals

Think big

The Paralympics is a direct counterpart of the Olympics. It is a multi-sport event for physically-disabled athletes. The idea was conceived by Dr. Ludwig Guttman after World War I specifically for injured war veterans to better the recovery rate. In 1960, the Paralympics held in Rome became open to include non-veterans.

Although not everyone is given the chance to compete as a Paralympian (or even an Olympian for that matter), most communities and recovery centers host competitions similar to the Paralympics. Participating in these events can get your foot in the door for professional opportunities, endorsements and ultimately, a shot at becoming a Paralympian.

The right stuff

Being with the right coach and following a strict regimen is not enough. Like F1 racing, good equipment that the racer is comfortable with makes an athlete stand out from a crowd of talented sportsmen. You should put the same amount of attention to the training equipment you use. Make sure you know them and maximize what they can do for you.

We at GoWheelchair help build realities through mobility. GoWheelchair has precise equipment that helps in strength training and flexibility training, offered to you at better prices than the current market price.

What most people fail to realize is that disabled people can love like any other person. They are capable of feeling that emotional high when attracted towards another person, disabled or not. You have to remember that just like you, they are human beings who yearn for companionship, romance, and a life full of surprises. As lovers, disabled people are capable of being warm, caring, and compassionate—perhaps more than the average “normal” individual, who often takes for granted all five senses he or she possesses.

Finding love online

With the popularity surge of online dating sites, more and more disabled people are emboldened to meet and date other people online. These online dating sites make it a whole lot easier for disabled men and women to meet potential lovers and life companions.

Getting ready to meet and date

The introduction phase is very important when dating disabled people. Assess, albeit discreetly, how comfortable your date is with his or her disability. Doing so will help you understand and get to know your date better and would allow you to move forward with your relationship.

There are also a couple of things to consider when going out with a disabled person. When planning to dine in a restaurant for example, and your date is on a wheelchair, make sure that the restaurant is equipped with wheelchair-friendly facilities such as a ramp to the entrance. If your date uses a cane or uses crutches, make sure that there is enough room near the table you have reserved.

Also, be sensitive of your date’s needs. Try to understand his or her emotional reaction to and outlook regarding the disability. Try to learn how he or she copes with it. If you feel uncomfortable and you don’t know where to begin, there are a number of websites that offer a lot of helpful information for those who date disabled people.

If you have wallowed in self-pity for a long time because of your disability, now is the time to say “Stop.” Know that there are a lot of opportunities waiting for you, and there are so many things left for you to do. You are just like any other person, except that you navigate the world using a really cool machine – your wheelchair.

You may own a transport wheelchair, a manual wheelchair, a power wheelchair, or even a mobility scooter. Whichever ride you have, you can choose to travel and see the wonders of the world.

Yes, you can be a tourist and tour the world in style. In fact, there are a lot of travel programs and agencies dedicated to travelers with special needs. Traveling for people with disabilities has gone a notch higher; it has become a trend nowadays to temporarily swap your wheelchair-friendly home with another traveler’s, who shares the same needs as you. This way, you are assured that the home in which you will be staying while on vacation has assistive furniture that would work for your convenience.

There are also a lot of great places to discover that are recommended for those in wheelchairs and even for the slow walkers. This is good, because you can visit a tourist spot and take your time to enjoy the sights. Coordinate with your friendly travel agent to learn more about these spots.

Do not be afraid to see the different tourist attractions that the world offers. Connect with other people who are going through the same experience and you will see that you are still very lucky. Find these people in online communities and in networks and forums.

And while you are at it, you might want to consider a group travel tour. Not only would this be fun, you would also get to know more people, and in the process, build lasting friendships among people who understand how you feel.