Adjusting to a new wheelchair

Shopping for and purchasing your first wheelchair, or a new wheelchair, is an extremely personal process. Ensuring you do your research, ask questions and hear from other wheelchair users can help make this transition easier.

Georgina, who has myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), got her first manual wheelchair when she was 14, and then changed over to an electric wheelchair when she was 21. She first thought about using a mobility aid when exploring ways of ge ing out of the house, and when she no longer had the physical energy to walk any distance, using a wheelchair become a reality.

“I resented the whole idea as I felt more disabled than ever before, like I was surrendering to my condition,” admits Georgina. “It took me a long time to accept that a wheelchair was going to be a good thing. Not a hindrance, not giving in to the condition, it would be freedom.

“My wheelchair has now made me more liberated and independent than I could ever have imagined.”

Considerations

If you are about to start the search for a new wheelchair, there’s a lot to think about.

“The things I consider are comfort; how much support it gives; style; transportability; if it’s safe on airlines; cost; general size; the surfaces it can travel over; ba ery life and weight,” o ers Georgina.

Georgina’s main advice is to test drive the wheelchairs you are interested in, allowing you to get a feel of the chair.

“In my first moment in my latest electric wheelchair, my entire body language changed, I was genuinely so happy,” shares Georgina.

This can be an exciting time, finding out what is available and what suits your needs, but it can also come with some drawbacks.

“There is a limited range of options available on the market for the younger generation,” reveals Georgina. “My other concerns would be comfort and ease of use. Finding a wheelchair that’s within your price point and ticks the boxes you need is quite di cult, so when possible, take your time.”

Adjusting

Once you decide on the right wheelchair and you receive it, there might be an adjustment period as you get used to it, and it’s normal to feel anxious during your first outings.

“Don’t put any pressure on yourself, it’s going to feel weird and new and will probably take a while for you to feel comfortable and accept this new change,” explains Georgina. “However, you will get there. It will be worth it, and you will be rocking it.

“Things will be di erent yes, but you’ll be the same person, nothing will change that. It’ll become a part of you but not everything you are.”

In moments of doubt or frustration, Georgina likes to list all of the things that using a wheelchair enables her to do, how it’s going to help manage her pain and her mobility. Most importantly, remember you are making this decision to best suit your needs, and you are the only person who can truly understand these.

For More Information

Georgina shares more of her experiences as a wheelchair user and posts about accessibility on Instagram @georginawasdall