Being in a wheelchair can make life more difficult for a child physically, but it can also make life more difficult emotionally. Children who have to use wheelchairs on a daily basis can sometimes feel as though they have no independence at all. If you want to be sure that your child is able to move around with ease and start to build their independence, choosing the right chair for him or her is important. The following guide walks you through a few things to look for when searching for a wheelchair for your child.
Choose Between Power or Manual Operation
If your child does not have full use of his or her arms, you need to choose a wheelchair that is power operated. He or she can maneuver the wheelchair with a lever so that they still have their independence, but do not have to use muscle strength to move. If your child has a fully functioning upper body, choose a manual wheelchair. This allows him or her to build muscle strength as they push themselves around in the chair.
Choose an Adjustable Chair
Unlike adults, most children's bodies are constantly growing and changing. Wheelchairs can be very expensive, so you want to be sure that you invest in a chair that is adjustable. There are wheelchairs that just about every aspect of them can be adjusted to ensure that your child is always as comfortable as they can be and is able to maneuver the chair with ease regardless of how much their size changes over the years.
Allow Your Child to Choose the Colors
Wheelchairs are available in a wide array of colors. Allow your child to choose the color scheme they think looks the best so that they can be proud to have their wheelchair when it arrives. They are the one who will be using it so they should be the one to choose the colors for it.
Choose the Right Performance Ability
If your child is someone who enjoys being active and wants to play sports, choose a wheelchair that is highly maneuverable so that he or she can move around quickly. There are wheelchairs that are designed for sports, such as basketball, that have front wheels that can adjust to different directions instantly so your child never has to worry about getting stuck or having to back up as they play.
Once you have taken these factors into consideration, you will be able to choose the right wheelchair to suit your child needs. Be sure to let your child operate the wheelchair for a bit before sending him or her out into the world in it to make sure that it is perfectly adjusted to fit their arm length so they can operate it with ease.
For assistance, talk to a handicapped equipment and supplies company.
