Best Wheelchair For The People With Cerebral Palsy
One of the most common health challenges faced by children is cerebral palsy. The story was told of Mr. Fred’s father (by the friend himself) that his father was never given any chance in life because of his health condition during his days as an infant. Today, there is a breakthrough in medical research and people with this health challenge can live their normal life well into adulthood. What is cerebral palsy (CP)? This is a state of health that will not allow victims the ability to control the movement of their body parts. This is caused by insufficient oxygen to the brain, or it might be caused by trauma to the child during infancy. It can occur during the pregnancy period or the gestation period of the child. The following are symptoms of this disease:
- Spasticity
- Muscle spasms
- Involuntary movements
- Seizures
- Disturbance in gait and mobility
- Impairment of hearing, sight, and speech
We have three types: athetoid/dyskinetic, spastic, and ataxic. The needs and care of patients change with the age of the patient. Patients are faced with the challenge of coping with the signs of this disease besides the health risks suffered by people who are living normal lives. They face the following challenges:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Frailty
- Fracture risk
When patients with cerebral palsy advance in age, the challenges become more prominent, and preventive health care will become a challenge.
Things to Consider Before Buying A Wheelchair for A Person with Cerebral Palsy
Some issues must be addressed before ordering any cerebral palsy wheelchair. You must get the right answers to the following questions before making any order:
- What are the add-ons required to make the wheelchair comfortable for the patient?
- What are the compulsory movements needed for the patient?
- What is the posture need of the patient?
The terrain should be taken into consideration when you are ordering a wheelchair. If you want the model to last, do not order the model that is designed for a level surface and use it for an uneven surface. The state of health of the patient is another factor that should be considered if you want to achieve the best results. If the patient can control the movement of the wheelchair on their own, then the manual model will be a perfect fit. Where the patient’s ability to control the chair is questionable, the best option is the motorized models. If you opt for a model that requires an assistant, then life will be easier for the assistant if you go for a lightweight model. So, the individual’s medical state will determine the type of cerebral palsy wheelchair that will meet the demands of the patient. Patients who can move their muscles can choose manual models, while those with a greater disability will enjoy the electric models. If you want the ideal model for a patient, then you are advised to involve the experts if you want a soft landing. The professional will look at the limitations of the patient and the comfort of the helper (where there is a need for one) before arriving at the best cerebral palsy wheelchair that will serve a useful purpose. Help can be gotten through charity organizations that provide useful hints on the right model for patients. Some clinics can also offer help in this direction. It is important to take a look at the measurement of the cushioning of the model. There should be enough space between the legs and the frame. Thus, it will not allow the frame to push against the legs of the patients. The gap between the two should not exceed 7.6 cm (about 3 inches). The gap between the hips of the patient and the side of the model must not exceed 1.2 cm (about half an inch). The technology in the lateral convenience must be accommodating enough and comfortable enough to give support to the armpits.
Power Wheelchair
One of the best places to shop for the best models online is through Quantum. There is a brilliant selection of different cushion options available on their portal. Mention can be made of the core values of seating and positioning options that are available on their portal. If you want to achieve the best results in the following areas, then the place to be is the Quantum online portal. There you can customize your wheelchair to ensure the following:
- Individual asymmetries
- Tone management
- Provision of proper stability and support
- Pressure management
If you are an adult with the challenge of cerebral palsy, you must look at the logistics of the Edge 3 Wheelchair. They are world-class. It has technology that will enhance advanced mobility for patients. The easy-ride suspension technology of this model is best experienced rather than imagined. This model has custom features that will provide the expected support for the patients. The following features make this model a darling of cerebral palsy patients:
- Suspension Upgraded for a Smoother Ride
- A USB charger
- Color accents on the steering wheel
- Front and rear LED fender lights.
- great visibility
The above-listed features are the reasons why this model is popular amongst its users.
Standing Electric Wheelchairs
If you order the standing electric wheelchair, you achieve easy movement around with the benefits of stable balance and effective coordination while on the chair. Patients will have the opportunity to communicate with others on the model on a friendly level. Other factors going well for this type of chair are; effective circulation of blood, improvement in bowel health, and excellent urinary control.
Manual Wheelchairs
The manual models are ideal for children with this ailment who need to learn the process of proper walking through a supportive aid. This model requires the patient to push the chair into motion. This model is cheap and easy to fold. This is the reason it is popular online. Patients with severe challenges are not suitable for this model.
Mobility Scooters
There are various types of scooters around. They are categorized according to usage. The smallest is designed for traveling purposes. They are lightweight. But it can also be used for everyday purposes. If the target is for indoor and outdoor usage, then you can go for mid-range models. The biggest of the models can be used in the wild. They have the technology to navigate rough, uneven terrain. If you want to overcome problems with flexibility and shoulder stamina, or decreased upper limb mobility, then you can look in the direction of a scooter for effective results. Moving around will be easy when you use a wheelchair in your disabled situation. The scooter is a three- or four-wheeled device that aids in movement and stability development. The right power-operated vehicle must have sturdy hand bars, cushioned seats, a comfortable rest alignment for the feet, and a convenient foot pedal.
Tilt-in-Space
The best support that CP patients can get from the wheelchair is tilt-in-space. The reason for this is the technology in the seat arrangement. They can move around 30-60 degrees in the direction of an increase in height with one command. The knees and hips will be kept at 90 degrees. The chair will move backward while the user remains in the seating position with their knees bent in a comfortable direction. The following are benefits that come with tilting technology:
- Shifts the weight of the body mass—a bright way to relieve pressure.
- Allow for easy blood circulation.
- It provides excellent mobility benefits.
- allows patients to be moved into a better postural position.
- Effective control of spastic muscle responses
There are various studies that support the usefulness of tilt-in-space chairs for children who have the challenge of CP. but it has some problems too which you should keep in mind while buying this type of wheelchair option. Following are the drawbacks of tilt in wheelchairs:
- The technology is heavy and difficult to transport.
- They are too high and do not fit under tables.
Reclining Chairs
One of the challenges of reclining wheelchairs is the technology for sliding and sheering. Kids with spastic muscle control will encounter issues with this technology. When the child reclines on the chair, the force of gravity will push the child down from his seating position. This technology allows the elevation of the legs of the patient when the technology of the seating arrangement is set to a back angle. This technology allows users to be moved into useful positions on the chair.
Some of The Best Wheelchair Brands That You Can Consider
Lightweight Folding wheelchair
The ZYR model is a lightweight option that is easy to fold. This is an ideal technology for children as well as for adults with CP. The technology in the backrest and seat is sourced from PVC materials that make it a custom fit. You are going to get real value for your investment because the frame is made of sturdy steel that can withstand everyday use. It has non-slip hand technology and it can be detached from the chair. The folding technology makes it easy to carry along in the booth of the car when you are going a long distance outdoors. The following are other benefits that come with an investment in this model:
- It can fold with ease
- Portable
- Saves space
- Convenient
- It includes a shock absorber bracket as well as a shock absorber spring.
- Rear self-braking
This model is convenient for those looking for postoperative rehabilitation, pregnant women, adolescents, the elderly, and osteoporosis patients. If you need help in any area, please feel free to contact us.
Reclining Wheelchair
Reclining wheelchair options are portable and foldable. If you are after a model that you can carry along on a trip, then you can trust this model. It is safe and reliable thanks to the shock absorber technology that comes with this model. If you want to achieve your creative best through this model, you can trust A & D. This is best for children suffering from CP. It has an alloy frame that delivers excellent corrosion and oxidation protection. The backrest and seat are sourced from materials that deliver excellent comfort to users. This technology enables the child to lie down inside the seat. The handles provide a firm grip and can be detached with safety assurances. Through this amazing technology, a child suffering from CP will get all the features that matter.
Medical Reclining Wheelchair for User with Cerebral Palsy
The Dayang Medical Reclining Wheelchair cannot be ignored among the best models online. The chest support and pillow frame provide brilliant support for people with CP. The design of the tilting seat technology is another wow factor of this model. This is a technology that allows users to vary their position in the chair. There is enough space to lie down if they want to change from their sitting posture. Mention can be made of the head pillow, safety belt, and chest support, which combine to deliver amazing comfort to users of the chair. This model is safe for CP patients. Take a look at the features of this amazing product.
- The front 6" PVC castor
- A 16" PU mag wheel at the rear
- Seat widths of 38 cm and 44 cm are available.
- Aluminum wheelchair
- A detached armrest
- The detachable elevating leg rest
- A high back that reclines
- The Tilting Seat
Bottom Line
If you opt for the electric models, it will eat deep into your finances. It is a fact that families that have a challenge have a lot of financial issues that have to do with the medical care of their patients; the bills are on the high side. There is a soft landing for families that have the challenge of raising a CP child. You can get a chair at a reduced cost and get advanced features attached to them. There are several options that you can pick from online at friendly rates. The aid comes in any of the following forms:
- Direct benefits
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Loans
- Vouchers
- Subsidies
You can get help from the U.S. government. They fund several programs with financial aid for those with CP disabilities. You can get a financial lifeline through the program. You may qualify for state-sponsored help.