who uses a wheelchair, and why?

[frame]

im just curious. i use one because of the whole complete paralysis fiasco.
who uses one because they do the "drunk frankenstien" walk? who because they walk fine, but become soooo tired that they need one? or any other reason that my speckled brain cant think of right now.

my situation is that i got hit with a spot on the brain that messes w my balance, so when i was working i did the whole crazy walking thing. then fortune smiled on me and gave me the lesion that paralyzed me.

so the whole reason i'm asking is this: i'm working on improving leg strength. i can stand yet (and its been about 13 months since the paralysis). but one day i'm hoping to take a few steps. i really dont know what to look forward to...

[stillstANNding]

Hi frame,

I use an electric scooter to save energy when necessary and on days when I must get to bank or drug store or post office and I just couldn't mount the energy if I had to walk to the bus.

The good part is that I can get to those places and many more in my community independently.

My balance is mostly OK except for falling up stairs right into the steps and also falling backwards over my heels without warning.

One of the stevens (stevenjspr, I think) made a good case for a light weight manual. I'd like to try that.

I hope your efforts are rewarded w some progress,
ANN

[Cat Dancer]

I use a wheelchair 'cuz it beat the heck out of lying in bed all day, or sitting in a stationary chair! :)

I started using a chair because I couldn't shop without getting exhausted, just getting essentials at the grocery. Then I used the chair because it was harder and harder to stand in line. Then I used it because I could no longer walk more than a car length or two, with forearm crutches. Then I used it because I couldn't walk through my house without sitting in every chair along the way.

While I can still stand long enough to transfer, or reach something from a high shelf, I cannot walk more than a couple of paces with forearm crutches. So while I'm not totally paralyzed...I'm close.

[vms]

i was using a walker but fell and needed one.

Vincent

[SalpalSally]

Hmmmmm, a very good question. I have been DX since 1976 and was in remission until 1993, and then started with an occasional cane to, having to use a cane to, a walker to a rollator with a seat. In 2000, I got a mini van with a scooter for shopping.

In 2004, after my Hubby died, I got an indoor scooter, for safety, since I was now alone. I could still walk with my walker, but I would fall and sometimes needed help getting up. It does save a bunch of energy, so I can do more. I am extremely weak when standing for more than 5 minutes, even holding on.

I'm getting older and age and MS are not good companions :mad: , so, even though I'm not paralized, the scooter is my new best friend.

Frame, Dear, my wish for you is to attain the strength to stand and walk again soon. :)

[dorvad]

I use one for 2 main reasons, walking any distance is not possible, and if my wife and I go shopping it is the only way we can do it as a couple.
I also have a 3 wheel electric scooter, this gives me some independence as I am not allowed to drive.

[Abby2006]

my situation is that i got hit with a spot on the brain that messes w my balance, so when i was working i did the whole crazy walking thing. then fortune smiled on me and gave me the lesion that paralyzed me.

I don't know why but that made me cry, I guess because I can relate and know that I also am one lesion away and there is no way to stop it.

Like I've said before I have my manual chair and legs are getting worse. spend time paralized on the floor waiting for it to pass, but fear that someday...

I stay on my legs until the pain is so unbearable (about an hour) and then kind of walk the walls/objects to get to recliner then so tired from it all sleep for a few hours and get up and finish what it was I was doing. This is no way to navigate!!!!

Abby

[Maine/Boston]

Everyone has said it best as to why, but once you use it often you will most likely lose your walking mobility. That is what happened to me but it is better to be safe then fall and break something. Good luck and stay strong.

If you do get one get a light weight one.

Jan

[bluesky63]

I completely understand why you would say that once you use a chair, you will most likely lose your walking mobility. It's an insidious process. But there's always hope for improvement. :-)

I have recently been looking at the Jimmy Heuga programs:

http://www.heuga.org/programs/candoset.htm

No matter what your condition, you can believe you have the chance to improve.

You sound like you're definitely ready to do more. Check out the Jimmy Heuga programs. Maybe we could both benefit. :-)

[Wheelchair Eccentric]

Hi,
I use a wheelchair because I can no longer walk. I am not paralyzed and must admit I can "crab" walk and hang on to something. I cannot straighten my knees and both feet are numb. So, If I want to get anywhere, I use a manual wheelchair and have an electric scooter.

[Gabriella7]

As my MS has progressed my mobility accessories has also. In the beginning I could manage with a cane as I needed it for balance. Then I got a walker with a seat so I could use the basket for my purse, etc. and the seat if I got tired. Last summer, I was in such a weakened condition from 2 years of UTI's that I needed to pursue getting a wheelchair. It was a good move as I have been able to be independent with the chair. I can manage it on my own as it weighs 23 #'s with the wheels removed.

My neurologist wrote the scrip for an "ultra-light weight foldable portable" type chair and I have been using it to get into the doctor's offices from the parking deck and to go on outings to museums, malls, shopping, etc. If I ever get to the place where I need a scooter or electric wheelchair, I will bite the bullet and get the van, lift and electric scooter or wheelchair. The reason for getting the wheelchair was to maintain some independence and be able to get out of the house to enjoy life. The alternative is to sit at home.;)

Gabriella

[karlee]

I use a scooter inside the house and I have a manual wheelchair in the trunk of the car for when my DH and I go out. I no longer drive.

I use a wheelchair because my legs no longer support me.

1. I was tripping, stumbling and falling with a cane. And then with two canes.
2. I was falling when I used the rollator. I could no longer get up off the ground when I fell.
3. I can no longer lift either leg or foot off the ground unless I use my hands to lift them.
4. I use the wheelchair when out because the travel scooter is heavy and takes longer for my DH to assemble.
5. I can transfer from the scooter to a regular chair if the chair has arms. Any standing must be supported, and even then, I can only swivel myself into the new spot.

I can transfer to a raised toilet as long as there is a well-placed grab bar. I can transfer to my bed most of the time without my legs giving out. Usually.

I have to use a lift-chair to get back up to a "standing", transfer/swivel position. I've lost count of the times I have sunk to the ground because my legs gave out after 5-10 seconds of trying to stand. Again, I can't get up, so I have to call for help - DH if he's home, or a neighbor if he isn't.

Paraplegia. It's a good reason for a wheelchair.

[Abby2006]

'crab' walk, thats what its called. I look so drunk out there getting the mail and taking the trash out I know.

Abby

[elizabeth]

I use a wheelchair, though I am lucky in that I do not need it all the time. My use of my chair is largely due to my balance and profound weakness in my right leg. When the MS is is less freaked out and active, I can get away with a walkerl, or even a cane. Sometimes I can walk with no aid at all, but I run the risk of falling on my face and breaking something -- like ribs, an arm, or a fibula (all of which have happened in the past 3 years).

I am not sure, given the risks of falling, and the costs associated with it in terms of fractures, that skipping the chair or the cane or walker, is worth the "freedom", so to speak. I hate the nosey people who ask why I have the chair when I can stand, etc. And people ARE nosey, believe me. On the other hand, the injuries aren't worth it, for sure!

I LOVE my chair -- it's a Quickie 2, utlralight titanium framed folding chair, custom made and fit to m-- good, since I am 5'9" and very long legged. The whole thing, decked out with wheels and pads, etc. weighs in at 26.8 pounds, and it fits in the backseat of my VW New Beetle in about 5 seconds flat when I pop the wheels off (which takes virtually no time at all). I have airless pneumatic tires, and oversize front cambers, and the things rolls like a dream -- the arms remove easily for sports, and it's screaming hot pink, which suits my personality and taste perfectly.

I should use it more. Writing this I realize that, and I guess I will. AT least that way I will always have a seat, too! ;) I just speant all weekend at bowling tournaments (for my son) wishing the seating situation was easier -- and it could have been had I only been THINKING!

BTW, my little guy WON the whole thing today -- took first out of 128 bowlers (ages 6-21). He won the final by a score of 246-214 against a 16 year old (Pablo, my son, just turned 11). I am very proud of him for keeping his cool and bowling a really strong, steady TEN GAME tournament to get there. Whew. I am also exhausted and so wired I can't sleep. Where are the good drugs when I need 'em?! I need to go rummage in the bathroom, still... :rolleyes:

So, that's my WC story, though NOT in brief! :)

[frame]

right on, thanks for all the answers.
being in a wheelchair by the time i was 24 is kind of a bummer. i was hoping to get over it, but god really has it in for me :0

[renee]

Can't walk at all since December 3-4, 1996.
Same day as dx.

Wheelchair is better than crawling on floor or lying on the futon all day
:D

[mmcc53]

I used a wheelchair for one day. Then got a scooter.

I do not use it in the house - when things are really acting up - cramping, etc., I use a rollator in the house, otherwise I walk.

I use the scooter when I go anywhere at all. I put it in my car (Honda Element) with a foldable ramp and use an inverter to charge it. That one is a 3 wheeler. I have a large 4 wheeler to use at home because I have a very large yard and garden and am outside almost all the time.

I do not agree at all that using a wheelchair/scooter make you more dependent on it. Every day I walk to the limit of what I can do, but that is not that much. I would much rather go do things on the scooter than sit at home. I have never seen the point in avoiding scooters because I would rather use my limited walking in the house or doing fun things than knocking myself out walking across a parking lot.

I HATE wheelchairs - you are too limited in how far you can go (at least I am because of arm strength), people treat you wierdly, and I absolutely hate to be dependent unless I have to - being pushed in a wheelchair is my idea of ****.

It took time to work out the right combination to make it easy for me to load and travel around with my scooter but it was worth the effort. If I become unable to lift the ramps, I will get an electric lifter, but under no circumstance will I ever use a manual chair.

I drive with hand controls, but there is no reason for me not to drive (no eye problems).

[dagaz]

I have a Candy Purple Quickie GPS... it's beautiful, I use it when we go to the mall and I know I won't beable to keep up or last more that 50 steps. I kind of walk with one leg straight I don't exactly drag it but often the tip of my toe or shoe will get hung up. I don't have the co-ordination to bend the knee and swing the leg forward with my right leg like I do my left... I have no idea why?:confused: When I get tired the worse my walking is, that is when I use my chair... also my chair has a 15degree camber, like a basket ball chair... it's too cool:cool:

[TrueOutlaw29]

I use both my Powerchair and walker, early in the year I started to develope a real balance problem and was taking a lot of falls not being able to brake my walker in time. My O.T. developed some balance exercizes that enable me to walk short distances safely but I still develope the dizzyness and collapses at time, so on the bad days the chair is handy, Oledr members on this forum will remember that I Do not drive any longer due to the M.S. and sporatic vision problems and not being able in good sense to put myself behind the wheel a couple of tons of machinery. I have however found a great mental uplifting in being able to get myself to and from the stores and my doctors appointments on my chair anf have now logged 127 miles that I could not have accomplished The feeling of freedom is very threaputic. I still use the walker when I am out with my wife for the short shopping and grocery store trips. It is all a matter of balance and not becoming lazy( I am still pretty mobile and the term lazy refers ONLY to me is not intended to insult those using chair full time) and weakening my muscles and daily ability to fight back at this damned disease. Equal baqlance of Chair and walker help keep the muscle tone and strength and the freedom of getting around independantly. Have a great day.

[barbarab]

I ususlly walk with my forearm crutches...a cane won't work for me because of arm tremors. When I get to a store, I grab a cart in the parking lot to use as a walker. In the garage, I have a walker with seat and brakes, a maual chair I can get in the car myself, and a 4 wheel electric scooter to use in summer outside, as the heat paralyzes me. Have you been evaluted for orthotics? I used to use a hinged AFO for knee hyperextension and foot drop, then didn't require it for a couple years, think I may be needing two soon! I just keep trying to walk as much as I can while I can as I live alone.