Standing Wheelchairs help you stand proud!
- A standing wheelchair is an interesting invention! Almost like a robotic transformer, it can take it's occupant from a seated position to a standing position, keeping him balanced and strapped safely to the chair while perched on a very steeply inclined seat - stretching him to nearly his full erect height.
- The nice thing about most wheelchairs that let you "stand" is that they also let you sit down. They can be used as a primary wheelchair as well as a supplement to your existing wheelchair resources.
- This type of power chair offers many conveniences for wheelchair users, that those not confined to a chair may not even have considered.
- For one, the expanding height of the wheelchair user allows the him to reach things that are placed out of reach on a high shelf or counter top.
- Also, the wheelchair user can elevate himself so that he is eye-to-eye with conversational partners who are also standing. This can feel more natural and social at cocktail parties or other events where most folks are standing and it feels awkward to be the only one close to the ground.
- A few things to watch out for in a standing wheelchair are the configuration and flexibility of the chair when it is NOT in it's standing position. Some users have noticed that the chair creates a very tall seated platform and that even when they're not standing their hips remain relatively high off the ground, making it difficult or impossible for them to get their legs under a table, and forcing them to eat off of a lap tray.
- Other users have commented on the large number of moving parts that the chairs contain - parts that need to be tightened and adjusted on a regular basis to ensure the wheelchair stays in good working order.
- Third, what is the comfort level of the positions that do not involve standing. Can you adjust your legs or recline while seated to make sure that you are comfortable and not stiff or sore? Knowing what to watch out for can help you make a smart decision if you decide to invest in this type of wheel chair.