This article is aimed at non wheelchair users as well as wheelchair users.  But the wheelchair users will know most of what is written here, whilst the majority of non wheelchair users will be pretty clueless. 

Do you think that anyone not in a wheelchair truly appreciates the accessibility issues?   

Thing like the difference between the heights of curbs on pavements can be a nightmare to navigate for a new wheelchair user (particularly manual wheelchairs, as power wheelchairs have a little bit of extra oomph).  That’s just the start of it. 

Travelling on a bus can be a task in itself, as some buses will drive straight past you if you are in a wheelchair, either because it is too full or not a disabled access bus.  On a lot of occasions the wheelchair space will be with someone’s tat, the owner of which, who doesn’t care that that space could be wanted by someone struggling to get into the centre of town. 

What about going to popular parks and tourist spots?  How many of these places cater properly for disabled access? Many of these places do cater for wheelchair users, but only if you phone them in advance to make sure that some help is on hand.  That and gravel paths don’t do wheelchair users any favors. 

Now non wheelchair users, have you read this post carefully?  None of these things will seem like daily challenges to you, but think about them and what it would feel like if you were in a wheelchair for just one day.  And next time you find a building, bus, pavement or tourist spot that doesn’t appear to have adequate disabled access, then please say something on a wheelchair user’s behalf.

We all get to that point, when shopping becomes a bit of a pain.  We do have the internet to help us, but we do not all ways need the amount in which we have to order, just to get a delivery from the shop we have ordered from.  We could drive to the shop I suppose, but not all of us can drive and some of us are more conscious of our environment anyway. 

So what would you think the answer to this conundrum is?  Well I think I have it, at least an idea to help with this problem.  Whether you are young, old or not quite able, then why not get a basket with wheels?  I don’t mean take a shopping trolley from the shop; I mean have your own piece of equipment that will allow you to carry your shopping home, without breaking your back. 

If you go to a site like gowheelchair.com you can find things like the Winnie Wagon.  This type of trolley or shopping basket on wheels, is perfect for carrying your shopping home without all the hassle of carrying bags.  The Winnie Wagon is just one type of wheeled carrying device, that is available to help people who don’t want to carry shopping. 

This particular model comes in a lightweight metal frame, that is sturdy and strong, the wheels are made from rubber and are of a size that enables you to travel over most surfaces, it folds away for convenient storage and the size of the basket itself is enough to carry most of your groceries, washing or any personal items you might wish to transport.   

There are also types of these baskets that have covers over them, either to give you some privacy as to what you are carrying, or just to keep the objects dry.  Whatever your choice of cart, have a look at gowheelchair.com to see if this idea is the one for you.

If you are someone who has a heart problem or you know someone that has a heart problem, then you will know that checking the pulse rate is something that should be done on a regular basis.  It can even save a life by pre-empting a heart attack.  Even people that have minor angina can do with checking their pulse every now and then. 

Now the normal way of checking your pulse, with your finger on your wrist or your neck is fine, but this is not always the easiest of methods, especially if someone is having an attack of some sort.  So make it easier and safer for yourself or someone else, by having an accurate reading from a machine. 

All you need to do with a Digit Finger Pulse Oximeter is stick your forefinger in it and wait for the reading.  This little gadget can save a life, it’s compact and can be carried anywhere.  There are many different brands and type of pulse meter devices, there are even ones that can tell you about your blood oxygen levels.  The Fingertip Pulse Oximeter does this and can also be carried anywhere, because of its size. 

If you look on sites like gowheelchair.com you can find these amazing little instruments that will save lives.  Even if the person that is using the fingertip pulse oximeter is wearing nail polish of any color it will make no difference, it will still give an accurate reading. 

Nearly all of these pulse readers are motion resistant, give a clear and precise reading and have around one thousand hours of use before the battery runs down.  Like I said before, look at sites like gowheelchair.com for the best kind of pulse oximeter and be prepared.  Do remember that they are designed for spot checks only and not as a constant pulse reader.  You could still save your life or someone else’s.

No, I am not talking about the rising price of wheelchairs and their accessories, although that should be something we could talk about.  What I’m talking about, is the air that inflates the inner tubes of the wheels. 

We all know that having an inner tube, surrounded by a tire, that is then attached to the wheel frame, is the most comfortable type of wheel you can use on a wheelchair, but it does have its draw backs, punctures.  Now isn’t it a pain in the nether region, when for some un-known reason you get a puncture and there is nothing you can do about it, until it can be fixed.  Which means you have to struggle home, fix it where you are or phone a friend to give you a hand. 

Well, this does not have to be the case.  Have you ever thought about using that foam stuff in a can, that is used for car tires, you know the stuff that can be sprayed directly into the valve, where the pump goes, to inflate the tire and fix the puncture, even if it is only a quick fix. 

You can get many different types of this quick fix in a can, but generally it is made up of a latex mixture, which seals the puncture whilst inflating the tire.  You will need to replace the inner tube after using this stuff, but it is quick and easy to use. 

You can find different types of cans of quick fix puncture kits in most bicycle stores or garages, but the best ones for wheelchairs, do seem to be the ones which are used for BMX bikes and mountain bikes.  The more extreme the sport, the more extreme the puncture it seems to be, so the more worthy the solution.   

Adult incontinence is something that could happen to people of any age and any gender and is something that one should not be embarrassed about.  Basically adult incontinence is an inability to control the passing of urine, and can make people accidently urinate. 

It is far more common in people who are older, pregnant and menopausal women, and people who are wheelchair bound unable access a toilet unaided. The cause of incontinence can be many things like stress, illness, or even weak pelvic floor muscles.  While some causes of incontinence can be diagnosed and treated by the doctor, with bladder training or treatment, there will be time period when you need adult incontinence underwear, adult briefs, or bladder control pads. 

Someone with adult incontinence can experience urine leakage when they laugh, bend over, lift heavy objects or exercise. If you experience any of these problems, then a visit a doctor, and in the meantime use bladder control pads or adult incontinence underwear (available for both men and women) to stop any embarrassing leakages when you are out and about. 

Some people may be embarrassed to walk into a shop and ask for adult incontinence underwear, adult briefs, or bladder control pads, while they should not be embarrassed, the advent of the internet means that they can order anonymously online. 

None of us know what is going to happen tomorrow, it maybe as we get older we suffer from a bladder problem, we might end up in a wheelchair by illness or accident, so we should have compassion for those already suffering from adult incontinence.  All of us feel embarrassed about adult incontinence, so don’t make someone suffer more than they are already.  Let them buy adult incontinence underwear, adult briefs, or bladder control pads anonymously online and may you never know they have a problem. 

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.