Tips for new wheelchair users
Adjusting to life in a wheelchair isn’t easy, whether in childhood or older age. Becoming a wheelchair user is a life-changing transition, requiring patience and lots of support. In this guide, you will discover a range of tips for new wheelchair users, covering everything from mental health to the accessibility of your home.
Understand the emotional adjustment
Accept the change
Transitioning to using a wheelchair can be emotionally challenging. It's important to understand that feeling frustrated or that you have lost independence is entirely normal. This might not make the situation any easier, but you are expected to find the change difficult to embrace.
It can be easy to try and deny what is happening, but by accepting the situation, you will find the transition mentally and physically easier. With complicated emotions coming to the surface, don’t hesitate to seek support from family, friends, or a professional counsellor.
Carrie-Ann Lightley, a blogger and wheelchair user, has highlighted the importance of embracing the change: “Adjusting to life as a wheelchair user can feel overwhelming, but my top tip is to embrace your new perspective. Focus on the things you can still do, and the new ways to experience life.
“Surround yourself with supportive people, seek out accessible resources, and give yourself time to adapt. Celebrate small victories and don't be afraid to ask for help. Life might be different now, but it can still be rich and fulfilling, full of adventures and possibilities you might not have imagined.”
Build a support system
The transition to life in a wheelchair will be hard without the right support system around you. It’s important to accept the help being offered, whether it be family, friends or a wider community, including wheelchair user groups, online forums, and local meetups.
The internet can be a valuable resource at this time if used correctly, with wheelchair users sharing advice and experiences. There are also UK-based support networks, charities, and organisations to utilise, such as Scope, a disability charity which offers “practical information and emotional support when it's most needed.”
Create a more accessible home
Introduce home modifications
Life as a wheelchair user can be made much easier and safer with a home that is properly accessible. Analyse your home with help from your support network and determine which home modifications you would benefit from.
Your home needs to become suitable for a wheelchair user’s needs. For example, ramps to help you get in and out, low-level kitchen cabinets, and step-free access into each room. You will also want to ensure the bathroom is accessible by installing wet rooms and easy-access showers.
Consider a home lift
The stairs are one of the biggest obstacles to life in a wheelchair, but they can be overcome with mobility aids like a home lift. Installing a lift in your home will make travelling to different floors quick and easy. You won’t have to rely on help from a carer and can avoid the danger that stairs present.
Lifts can also be convenient additions to your home, helping you transport heavy items like shopping bags safely. The transition to life as a wheelchair user will be much smoother if you can retain your independence, and a home lift can play a key role in making this happen.
READ ALSO: How a homelift can benefit you
Become comfortable in your wheelchair
Choose the right wheelchair
Choosing the right wheelchair is also an important process, as the type of wheelchair you select must fit your lifestyle, body size, and accessibility needs. For example, you might benefit more from a powered wheelchair than a manual wheelchair. You can get a wheelchair via the NHS if you ask your GP to refer you to your local wheelchair service. You will then be assessed to determine what type of wheelchair suits you.
You can learn more about getting an NHS wheelchair or buying one via Which’s wheelchair guide.
Practice mobility skills
When you get your wheelchair, it will take time to get used to manoeuvring around. Practice makes perfect, but there is help available. For example, free online video tutorials can show you the basics, such as the series of videos by the Wheelchair Skills College. Your local NHS wheelchair service may be able to recommend courses, and your GP or social worker can also direct you to available support.
Care for your wheelchair
Part of life as a wheelchair user involves learning how to care for your wheelchair. This mobility aid will likely be used every day, helping you to enjoy life and perform everyday tasks, so it’s important to keep it in good condition and make time for regular wheelchair maintenance, such as checking tyres, cleaning parts, testing brakes and making sure everything functions correctly.
Stay active and healthy
Keep fit and strong
Staying active is essential for wheelchair users to maintain strength and flexibility. Upper body exercises, like resistance band training or chair yoga, can improve mobility and posture. Engaging in adaptive sports such as wheelchair basketball or tennis supports physical health and provides social interaction.
Look after your mental health and well-being
Prioritising your mental health through activities like art, reading, or spending time outdoors is one of the most important parts of the process. Remember that just because you now use a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Additionally, engaging in hobbies can help manage stress while connecting with others—whether through sports or support groups—enhances emotional well-being.
Navigate public spaces and transport
Learn about your area’s accessible facilities
To help you navigate your local area in a wheelchair, learn about what accessible facilities are available. For example, you will want to know about accessible transportation like buses and trains and what restaurants and shops can accommodate your wheelchair.
Do your research when travelling
Before travelling somewhere new, research to see how accessible it is. For occasions like holidays, make sure to book a hotel that is wheelchair accessible and determine whether attractions are suitable for people with limited mobility. Most websites will provide basic accessibility information, but you can always call up the attraction to find out specific details.
Build confidence and independence
Find your independence
Regaining independence as a wheelchair user involves small adjustments. For example, you can organise your daily routine to suit your accessibility needs and explore adaptive technologies like voice-activated systems or accessible smartphones to simplify tasks.
READ ALSO: Is it time to install a homelift?
Adapt to social situations
Social interactions may change after becoming a wheelchair user, so building confidence is key. Setting boundaries with people and communicating openly when you need help is important. Also, remember that dealing with curiosity or questions about your wheelchair gets easier over time.
Top tips for wheelchair users
- Accept the change
- Build a support system
- Introduce home modifications
- Consider a home lift
- Choose the right wheelchair
- Practice mobility skills
- Care for your wheelchair
- Keep fit and strong
- Look after your mental health and well-being
- Learn about your area’s accessible facilities
- Do your research when travelling
- Find your independence
- Adapt to social situations
Hopefully, these tips have proved useful. If you are adapting to life as a wheelchair user, you may benefit from having a lift installed at home. Learn more about home lifts by requesting a callback or booking a free home assessment.