Some Things Nobody Tells You About Being in a Wheelchair
You’re gonna get all sorts of advice on how to think, what to think, how to be positive, how to keep abled-bodied people comfortable. However, almost nobody is going to tell you how to be disabled, if you catch my drift. Very few people actually want to talk about it, so without further adieu, here are some things I wish somebody told me:
-Getting out of your car in the rain is terrifying. It’s a slippery, wet hell.
-The snow is even worse. People are going to shovel into accessible parking spots. Or worse, they won’t shovel it. You will inexplicably have to cancel plans at some point or another due to the snow.
-Mud and dirt. All over your hands, all the time.
-Yes, your shoulders are going to be sore for the first few months, and anytime you over exert.
-Yes, your butt is going to ache after sitting all day.
-Invest in side guards!! Seriously, they’ll save your clothes. I personally like the removable kind, because it’s easier to transfer with them off.
-Scissor breaks (or undermount breaks) are fantastic for saving your thumbs from the pain of jamming them on the break, however they’re more money.
-You will face-plant. It will happen, and it will be mortifying. We’ve all been there.
-Get some cycling gloves!
-They also really do ask inappropriate questions. Be prepared.
-The world isn’t all that accessible. Even when places claim to be, they aren’t always. Restaurants are a personal hell for me because the tables are always too close together and they never have accessible bathrooms.
-Your hands are going to get gross. Mine are calloused and nasty 24/7. If you get manicures then this won’t be as bad, but you’ll still have to say goodbye to smooth hands.
-Learn how to wheelie. You’re going to have to wheelie of curbs, bumps in the sidewalk, all the stuff.
-Your shoes are going to last forever, which is fantastic, but it’s almost impossible to break them in.
-If you put a backpack on the back of your chair (which you should) make sure it’s not too heavy, or else you’ll fall backwards when you wheelie.
-Keep your chair clean. Tweeze the grime and hair from your caster wheels at least every 4 weeks. Keep your tires full of air.
-Carry around an allen wrench in your bag or backpack. You might never need it, but if you do, you’ll be really glad to have it.
-If you’re planning of wear high heels, consider lowering your footplate so that your knees aren’t too high up.
-Consider getting a hand held shower head. It just makes life easier.
-High waisted pants and long tops are a blessing.
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