Pediatric Wheelchair Considerations

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Children are naturally active, so when your child needs the use of a pediatric wheelchair it is important to make the right choice so they don't have to miss out on all the fun. Let's face it; it is bad enough that they have to use the chair in the first place. By making an informed and careful choice, your child can still stay active and involved while maintaining their health.

Transportation

While an electric wheelchair may be the popular choice, you have got to consider how it will be transported. If you own a small car, for example, a more lightweight and foldable chair might be the most obvious choice. A wheelchair won't do you much good if you can't take it with you. The detachable hardware on a collapsible chair will make traveling with it much easier, not to mention it will be much easier on your back.

Size Matters

It is quite important that the wheelchair your child uses is proportionate to their size, otherwise maneuvering it may be too taxing for them to handle. Much like clothes, you should expect your child to out grow their wheelchair at which time you will need to get them a larger size. There are also chairs on the market today that are built to grow along with your child by lengthening the frame and the leg rests to accommodate your growing child. These wheel chairs can often last for a decade or more, making them a solid and sound investment.

Comfort

If you were going to be stuck in a wheelchair for any period of time whatsoever, you would want it to be comfortable. Why should your child be any different? Involve your child in selecting the right wheel chair cushion that is the best combination of comfort and stability. To avoid overly thick or thin cushions, a good rule of thumb to go by is the three finger rule. Cushions should be about the thickness of three fingers held side by side.

You should also take care to ensure that the leg supports and foot rests are neither too long nor too short. With a proper fit, the entire thigh should be supported while your child is seated.

Style and Color

Okay, the truth is that style and color probably don't matter to you, but they will definitely matter to your child. Be sure to consider their feelings, as being chair bound can be enough of a blow to their fragile emotions as it is. Pediatric wheelchairs are available these days in a wide array of colors and styles, one of which will no doubt be perfect for your kid. Involving them in the process and encouraging them to personalize their chair with stickers or other such accessories can often make a difficult time in their life much easier to deal with.

With so many things to consider when picking a pediatric wheelchair, you might not even think about the price, but you should. Though guilt might lead you toward the most expensive models, you should know that price does not mean you are getting the best chair for your child's needs. Maneuverability, comfort and support are all very important and there are so many chairs on the market that you can easily find a less expensive model that meets all these needs perfectly.