Five Ways to Personalise your Wheelchair
Sometimes you might feel that your wheelchair needs something extra. Whether you need to make it more comfortable, more convenient or just more interesting to look at, these five tips will help freshen up the look, feel and function of your wheelchair.
Custom cushions
A great way to both express your personality and improve the physical comfort of your wheelchair, customising your cushions is simple and offers plenty of ways to show your creativity.
Custom cushion covers can come in pretty much any design and will really help add some variety to the design and aesthetic of your wheelchair. You can swap out different designs as you wish, so your wheelchair can sport a new look every day, and if you can’t find suitable designs for purchase, you can create brand new designs using your own fabric and materials.
If the cushion on your chair isn’t providing you the comfort or support you need, it’s a good idea to look into installing pressure relieving cushions. These kinds of cushions are specifically designed to make your wheelchair much more comfortable to sit in, and will relieve pressure and pain from things like sores or bruises.
Cup holder
For total convenience, attaching a cup holder to your wheelchair provides an incredibly helpful accessory that will no doubt see a lot of use every day. Cup holders can come in plastic or alloy varieties, in different sizes to suit different kinds of drink – mugs, cans bottles etc – and in a variety of colours.
Generally, alloy ‘cage’ style holders are preferred as they are more durable and are often much deeper, so you can hold bigger bottles than a plastic holder could.
Cup holders for wheelchairs are simple to attach. Plastic holders screw onto the frame while alloy ones are zip tied securely to the leg of the wheelchair, and both can be uninstalled easily if you want to replace cup holders or change its location.
Wheelchair gloves
Another practical addition that can make life in a wheelchair much easier to manage, wheelchair gloves are great for protection against blisters and injuries like carpal tunnel. Wheelchair gloves can also keep your hands warm while you’re out and about on a cold winter’s day.
Wheelchair gloves come in a variety of styles, each providing different benefits to the user. Gel padded gloves provide extra comfort while protecting against chafing, injury and abrasion. They absorb impact and are incredibly comfortable to wear.
If you suffer from limited hand movement and find it hard to put gloves on, hand wraps will also work wonders. They strap around the hands using velcro, and are comfortable and provide the same grip and protection you would find from full gloves.
Wheelchair gloves can be found in many colours so there’s plenty of choice if you want to tailor your choice to suit a certain theme or style.
LED caster wheels
If you’re a night owl and have noticed that it’s difficult for people to see or be aware of you when you’re out after dark, light up LED casters will ensure that you’ll be seen coming even in the late pitch black.
LED casters don’t need batteries and can come in a variety of colours, making them an ideal way to spruce up any wheelchair. If you want to make things a bit more fun, try mixing and matching colours for different wheels, but be sure to find the right size and fit for your wheelchair.
Spoke reflectors
Another way to improve visibility in the dark – but for those who don’t particularly want their wheels to flash with every turn – spoke reflectors are an easy and affordable way to enhance the safety of your chair.
Spoke reflectors allow for as much or little customisation as you want. If you fancy an elaborate design or just want to add a few extra lights to your chair, spoke reflectors cater to your needs, and will likely offer improved visibility over LEDs exclusive to your casters.
Stechford Mobility offer expert mobility equipment and services to customers in and around Birmingham, including wheelchairs. Our experienced and friendly team are happy to help and will advise you on any mobility issues you might have. To discuss the mobility aids and equipment we offer, and to arrange a no-obligation home visit, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.