Ramps really can make a wheelchair users life a lot easier by helping the wheelchair user to move from one level to another level, without struggling with steps.  The use of ramps means that a wheelchair user no longer has to rely (or depend) on other people to get down steps. 

Wheelchair ramps come in all shapes, sizes and lengths and are extremely useful around the home, particularly the Rubber Threshold Mat that smoothes out any steps in the home, so a wheelchair user can move freely from room to room without assistance.  Another useful ramp to have around the home is the Telescoping Platform Ramp, as this will enable a wheelchair user to get in and out of their house unassisted if there are steps.

Material wise, you can’t go wrong with aluminum for outside ramps and rubber for evening out the steps indoors.  The aluminum is light weight, often portable (like the Suitcase Ramp Advantage) and durable.   These portable ramps are easily assembled and disassembled and can put up at all sorts of different locations.  You can also make some ramps permanent structures (without building permission) and the fact that they are made of aluminum means that they require little maintenance.

One of the best ramps that I have come across is the TRIFOLD® Wheelchair Ramp, as not only is it portable, but you can use for all sorts of common everyday situations like steps, raised landings and getting in and out of vehicles.  Not only is it useful for wheelchairs, but mobility scooters too.

In purchasing a wheelchair ramp, Make sure that you read up on the subject and are well informed.  Also a good source of information is the experts at sites like GoWheelchair.com Ask them for recommendations and advice to make sure that you get your money’s worth, guarantee safety and make the best possible decision.

When people become wheelchair bound for whatever reason, illness or accident it suddenly becomes apparent how wheelchair unfriendly the home is.  Many people struggle with cranes and crutches, walkers and rollators for as long as they can, before resorting to a wheelchair, because of the wheelchair unfriendliness of their homes. 

People may say ‘why not sell up and move to a wheelchair friendly home?’, but often wheelchair customized homes are far and few between and out of many people’s housing budget. 

There are loans available to make modifications to make a house more accessible, but they rarely cover everything if corridors and doors need widening, a wheelchair stair lift is needed, a bathroom with reinforced walls suitable for installing grab bars on, needs to be put on the ground floor, and kitchen cupboards lowering – to name a few tasks. 

If you are lucky as regards to the housing front and everything is wide enough, you have a bathroom you can access easily, and then it could be that you just need a few accessories to make your home wheelchair friendly. 

It could be that all you need are some ramps to make getting up and down a step (Rubber Threshold ramp), or over a bump in a doorway (Threshold Wheelchair Ramp).  There are also some good ramps available for putting over steps to the entrance of your home like the Telescoping Platform Ramp.  

Other things that you could consider for making the house more wheelchair friendly are bed rails, assistive furniture like hip chairs and lift recliners, and accessories for bath safety. 

One of the most important things that wheelchair users want is mobility and some independence. Anyone who has ever had broken bone or bad back can understand this concept of mobility, so let’s answer some questions that will help ensure a wheelchair user is as mobile as possible. 

Should I choose a Manual Wheelchair, or a Power Wheelchair? 

This really depends on the disability and overall health of the wheelchair user.  A manual wheelchair either needs to be pushed, or strength in hands and arms and a good general standard of health is required, as wheeling yourself about in this manner can be exhausting at first, but does keep you fit.  A power wheelchair on the other hand is a lot easier to operate, and maneuver with a joystick to control it. 

How do I make my Wheelchair More Mobile in the Home? 

First of all, you need to make that doorways and corridors are wide enough for a wheelchair to fit through. Also ramps (like the Rubber Threshold Ramp and the Threshold Wheelchair Ramp) will need to be installed over steps within the home. There are some also assistive furniture choices you can make to make your living room more comfortable and accessible. 

How Do I Make the Bathroom More Accessible? 

There are grab bars that you strategically place around the bathroom to help you maneuver around.  Also there are toilet seats and toilet safety rails that can be installed to make going to the toilet unassisted easier. Transfer benches, shower sprays and non slip bath mats can be put in the bathroom to make showering and bathing more accessible too. 

It is no longer expected for a wheelchair user to be stuck in bed, or indeed your home, and the wheelchair is a device that allows you more freedom and mobility. 

Whenever the New  York marathon takes place, I am astonished at the speed of some of the wheelchairs that go around the twenty six mile course.  The one thing I have never seen though, is a normal, standard power wheelchair.  There is nothing to stop someone using a standard power wheelchair, although if they did, they would probably not finish any ware near the customized chairs, which the winning wheelchair athletes use. 

There are many activities and sports that anyone using a manual wheelchair can do, I’ve seen ballroom dancing, basketball, line dancing, handball and tennis just to name a few.  Of course, if you want to take your sport or activity to the next level, then a purposely built chair, for that particular activity, will probably be the best route, although an expensive one. 

Have you ever seen a normal manual wheelchair going round a skate park, doing the kind of tricks that you normally see done by guys or girls, on BMX bikes?  No, then take a look at the worlds first wheelchair back flip.  These guys are either nuts, brave or just down right stupid.  I think they are brilliant, and an inspiration to all. 

If there is any activity you want to take part in, then don’t let your wheelchair stop you.  If you have a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair, there should be no difference, you can still take part in any sport and almost any activity, even sky diving, but I’d leave behind the wheelchair on that one. 

Most sports centers will cater for wheelchair activities, but if they do not, then you have every right in the world to make sure they do.  It is not just a great way to meet other people, but an excellent way to keep fit.   

Wheelchair sports and activities don’t have to cost a fortune or need specialist chairs.  Almost every community has some kind of activity that is either especially for wheelchair users, or a mixed participation activity.  So get out there and wheel yourself to anything you want to be doing.

You may think that the title of this article is odd 'wheelchair users are people too', and think yes of course they are people.  But tell that to the wheelchair user who is struggling to get up on a curb, or having difficulty trying to get through a door, when everyone averts their eyes and walks straight past.

Thankfully, after a bit of practise the above actions become second nature to most wheelchair users, but being ignored is still an issue.  This is mainly down to ignorance, as many people don't know how to treat someone in a wheelchair, so they ignore them instead.  So the answer to that would be, treat them as you would anyone able bodied.

It is also good that there are products on the market, that assist wheelchair users like power wheelchairs so you don't have to depend on your arms all day to get you everywhere, like the manual wheelchairs users, but it is one sure fire way to keep you fit.

Also ramps are a godsend, especially the portable variety like the Invacare Portable Ramp, (although unfortunately it will need someone else other than the wheelchair user to carry it, as it is like a suitcase when portable).  So a good invention would be a ramp that can be carried, put down and picked up by a wheelchair user, particularly for those striving for as much independence as they can get.  Surely something like the Rubber Threshold Ramp could be adapted for curbs and one-steps?

Life for a wheelchair user can be enough of a struggle, without having to cope with peoples' negative attitude towards them as well. So next time you see a wheelchair user, why not stop and think how would I liked to be treated if that was me.  I know the answer will not be pretend not to see them and get on with my daily business.  If someone in a wheelchair (or anyone else for that matter) looks like they could do with a helping hand or even just a kindly smile, be the Good Samaritan.