Understanding tips on how to take care of your wheelchair and make vital modifications could be important in enabling your wheelchair to do its job in getting you round.

After I first began utilizing a wheelchair, I relied closely on wheelchair companies to deal with all the repairs. Whereas that’s what they’re there for, it’s not at all times splendid.

Don’t get me incorrect, the man used to return out to do dwelling visits and was very pleasant. Most if not on a regular basis (if reminiscence serves) he had the components to repair my chair.

It’s inconvenient to be ready round at dwelling for somebody to make the restore so I might usually go to a neighborhood bike store and pay a fiver for altering inside tubes when wanted. Not a lot cash, however a further expense all the identical. A kind of further prices of being disabled that’s usually talked about. You possibly can learn extra about that within the Scope report right here.

Issue ranges

Very similar to wheelchair expertise, you’ll be able to break wheelchair upkeep into varied ranges of problem. As I’m a handbook chair person and my expertise lies there that’s what I’ll be focussing on on this weblog. Although I’m positive that the identical factor could possibly be stated for energy chairs.

For  all of those items of upkeep, if it’s one thing which you could’t do by yourself then it’s nonetheless helpful to know so that you could instruct a member of the family or pal to assist out.

The place do you be taught these expertise although? I’ve by no means seen any programs taught on wheelchair upkeep and each time I’ve wished to know tips on how to do one thing I’ve at all times checked out YouTube for the solutions.

There could be crossover with different sports activities or trade so if you will discover a wheelchair upkeep instance, strive focussing on the restore problem itself. For instance, should you’re taking a look at altering a tyre or tightening spokes then it could be helpful to seek for movies to do with bikes.

What instruments are you going to wish?

There’s an opportunity that you simply received a set of Allan keys along with your wheelchair. If not, then it’s one thing value investing in as they’re extremely helpful, together with a Philips (cross head) screwdriver and a spoke key used to tighten the spokes in your wheel. All of those are straightforward to search out at most {hardware} and bike outlets.

Holding your tyres pumped up will make it simpler so that you can push. Having semi-inflated tyres will imply that your pushing isn’t as environment friendly because it could possibly be and also you’ll be losing power.

I do know conserving my tyres topped as much as the proper stress one thing that may simply slip my thoughts, I’m positive it’s the identical for most individuals as all of us have one million issues happening. However once I prime up the air in my tyres, it’s noticeable how a lot simpler the pushing expertise is.

There are a few pumps that you should use with completely different energy sources.

• Automobile pump – it is a helpful possibility as a result of if you’re sat within the automotive you’ll be out of your wheelchair anyway and turning the tyre spherical to get to the valve will probably be simpler

• Mains pump – earlier than final 12 months, I hadn’t had a automotive in about 12 years so I discovered another in a pump that plugs right into a mains provide that I may use at dwelling

• Battery pump – I solely began utilizing considered one of these final 12 months when instructing how  to alter a tyre in a wheelchair expertise session and they’re a really moveable possibility if that’s what you want

Some fundamental bits of upkeep

So that you’ve received the tools you want and wish to do some upkeep however undecided the place to begin? Let’s take a look at some upkeep that you are able to do at dwelling with what instruments you might have and what you are able to do with out instruments.

1.      Tightening backrest

2.      Tightening seat

3.      Pumping tyres up

4.      Cleansing casters

5.      Transfer axle

6.      Tighten spokes

7.      Change inside tube/tyre

There could also be barely other ways to do every of the above relying on the mannequin of wheelchair you might have. Producers web sites and YouTube are a very good place to begin if you want to see how issues are maintained in your wheelchair mannequin.

What are you going to strive?

There are various phases to wheelchair upkeep, and it is dependent upon what you are feeling comfy doing. There’s a lot to be taught and wheelchair upkeep (and modification) goes past what I’ve lined on this weblog. I’ve not had the necessity/need to learn to weld but however who is aware of what I’ll want to repair sooner or later.

Hopefully in studying this weblog you’ve seen what a variety there may be in wheelchair upkeep going from tightening straps as much as utilizing energy instruments. It’s nice to have these expertise to maintain your wheelchair working easily so that you get on with these issues in each day life.