The most of people take their abilities as a given – being able to walk, run, jump, or just go up the curb. But such simple tasks could be outright impossible for a lot of wheelchair users, and that we should be mindful of that.
Especially when living with someone who utilizes a wheelchair, we should be considerate of all the aforementioned activities, and much more. This is, of course, very doable and doesn't require much effort once a routine is made, but there are still several things we should be reminded of ever-so-often, or that people should learn if we are new to such a situation.
Step by Step
The the very first thing involves anyone's mind in this situation is how to manage stairs. We take them for granted, often even jumping several at any given time if we're in a rush, and have a tendency to not even notice them in public areas, unless it is a long flight of stairs. Though if you're going on wheels- You need to have somebody that can help you.
It's basic manners, really. If you notice someone struggling, you should offer to help them. And when sharing a full time income space having a wheelchair user, you ought to be used to helping them overcome doorsteps and up the stairs. If, for reasons uknown, you do not have a suitable lift inside your home and you have to take the steps to get up don't forget this:
Getting Around
Transportation is another burning issue, only one which has many solutions to it. Cars may be easily adapted to meet these needs, with specialists for example Brook Miller being able to provide vehicle adaptations to simply accept a wheelchair safely, as well as give instructions regarding how to properly use it. Private transportation is, of course, typically the most popular option by far the most comfortable, particularly if you don't forget to carry those with disability sticker that will help you with parking.
Public transportation is another thing, and its troubles are much more difficult to overcome. Those who are in a rush and don't pay attention to anyone below them, huge gaps between sidewalks and bus doors, and metro stations without correct lifts. To help with a minimum of a little bit of this, be sure to accompany them whenever feasible, as a bit of support can mean not only pushing them around.
How to obtain Something?
People with all of healthy limbs, even if they are able to, rarely do any vigorous exercise with regard to their own health. And they also get lazy and weak, and lots of gain a few extra pounds too. Well, this same problem exists for wheelchair users too, except that their choices for workout are very limited, particularly if they do not have one to practice together.
It is extremely easy to find a list of sports adapted to wheelchair users, but a little harder to find sports clubs that really accept disabled members. As cardio exercises really are a bit harder to do whenever you can't move about fast, strength and endurance exercises are a legitimate alternative.
And sure, we have seen great feats of strength done by wheelchair users, only using their upper body strength. Though a very active sport, such as ping pong, is invaluable, and you can likewise try competing against them even if you have both healthy legs.
The Gearworks
While covering this topic, we mustn't overlook the key piece of technology here – the wheelchair itself. A very fine invention it is, also it should be handled carefully, and inspected regularly. Though most householders will know how to do that themselves, sometimes, for example with seniors or the very disabled, they need some assistance with this.
You will be able to understand how to take it apart, oil the moving parts, tighten the unmovable parts, and put it all up again. You can do this rather quickly in most cases only needs a few wrench keys and a screwdriver. On the other hand, if searching for a new wheelchair, neither of you should be carrying this out alone as both will be either sitting in it or pushing it from time to time, so you should agree on what model is best.
Though let's be honest, the wheelchair user has got the last word here as they're the ones who are spending most of their waking hours inside it.
Social Life Isn't a Chore
More people than in the past have anxiety, and also the social pressure we feel to “fit in” is growing every year, driven by media and echoed by society. And while it is sometimes hard for acne-covered teenagers to look operator, disabled people, especially children, have it much harder.
Wheelchair users fall under this group, and that we see from recent reports the way a very large quantity of factors influence the social life from the physically disabled. Most civilized world have, luckily, developed successful mechanisms of helping such youth in school and the employment market, but it's their loved ones and friends who they look as much as the most.
Being there on their behalf is much more than just physically moving them around, it's which makes them feel accepted so that as a normal member of society, who just happens to have to be in a wheelchair. They aren't a burden anymore than someone else can be.
It is important, therefore, that we accept them for who they really are, and remember how it doesn't take much to help them, but it means a great deal to them. We are able to only guess when will everyone start thinking about the disabled as equal, and when will public spaces be planned accordingly, though in the meantime we are able to have a small part of the overall direction we hope everyone will follow.