A Brief History
Since their invention by Canadian George Klein in 1953 to assist injured veterans after after World War II, electric wheelchairs revolutionized the world of mobility devices by offering users more independence and options with flexibility and travel. Manual wheelchairs have certain limitations due to which people with chronic ailments or in old age struggle with them. Their weak upper body and lack of fitness do not allow them to move around in those self-propelled wheelchairs with ease. They feel dependent and as a result, exhibit low self-esteem, which ultimately isolates them from society; however, a portable folding wheelchair removes most of the barriers.
The new-age portable wheelchair that you can quickly load into your car’s trunk allows your aged or ailing family members to meet their loved ones, go on for picnics and spent some quality time as others. You get all the facilities of a standard powered wheelchair in the folding options so that users can go anywhere independently without exhausting his or her energy. It enables them to shop, visit friends, and travel to their destination with less discomfort. Let us explore more about their utility to understand whether you should get it or not.
Digging Deeper
Easy storage
Since you can fold them, they occupy comparatively a lesser space, whether you keep in your car’s trunk or home. Therefore, you do not have to create any particular place to store them. And since most of them can go into any car with ease, you do not need ramps or elevators to push them. It makes your job quite easy.
Convenience for a caregiver
If you or someone else is a caregiver for your family member, you can also find some relief when it comes to folding or detaching certain parts. These are usually comfortable to handle and move. Hence, you do not get exhausted soon; however, make sure you check all the folding options well as some chairs may not allow you to disassemble parts.
Usability
The battery-operated folding wheelchairs can perform well as their non-folding peers. It is only that their range can be lesser than the latter one by 4 km or so. It depends on makes and models also. So, at the time of purchasing, do inquire about their usage. Anyway, their ability to adapt to most of the types of vehicles and expand travel options makes them a unique choice.
From this, it is clear that a powered folding wheelchair can serve your needs just like any other conventional style wheelchair. The main difference between the two is the enhanced flexibility that you get to experience with the folding option. You can use and transport it effortlessly. Consequently, you can see your loved one traveling more and avoid the risk of loneliness occurring due to social isolation. Plus, it can make them feel more independent than before.
Just make sure when you buy this mobility equipment, you get it from a reputed store only, especially those who specialize in this segment. It is essential for the security of your investment and the quality of the product or service that you receive. For surety, you can check customer reviews and ratings.
Question for students (and subscribers) to ponder: Have you ever used a wheelchair?
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Fortney, James. Driving Tips for Electric Wheelchairs Owners. 2013.
The featured image in this article, a photograph of George Klein and others with his Klein Drive Chair 1953, is in the public domain, because it is Subject to Crown Copyright and published before 1964.