Kids in wheelchairs may be seated, but that doesn’t mean they have to be sitting still. Whether they’re using a chair temporarily while recovering from a broken bone or other injury or they’re regular wheelchair users, one thing’s for sure: they have the same need to play and be active as every other kid. You can modify many active children’s games to be more inclusive so kids in wheelchairs can have fun, be active, and play with friends. Sometimes all it takes is to substitute larger or softer balls that are easier to grab, use props like pool noodles to make it easier for children in wheelchairs to extend their reach when playing games like tag, or tweak the rules a bit to reward cooperative play. Here are five examples of group games kids in wheelchairs can play: Related read: 14 games kids in casts can do to stay active Adapted sports Many kids will enjoy the challenge of playing a familiar sport while seated in a wheelchair. Here are a few examples of games you can play to build sports-related skills: Basketball: Lower a driveway basketball net, create a DIY version of a “hoop” to practice wheelchair basketball skills (it’s more challenging than it looks!), or practice dribbling and passing while seated. Hockey: Line up milk cartons or plastic bowling pins and try to knock them over by shooting a ball into them with a hockey stick, or just try passing a ball back and forth or shooting it into a hockey net. “Golf:” Set up hula hoop targets and toss bean bags into the circles. You can vary the challenges for each hole, requiring kids to throw from farther and farther away, for example. If this still feels too easy, see if they can land the bean bag on a smaller chalk circle, or try throwing backwards, blindfolded, or with the left hand for right-handed kids (the opposite for lefties!). No hoops? No problem: improvise using cardboard boxes, laundry hampers, or other items from around the house. Modify a game of musical chairs In a typical game of musical chairs, kids dance around until the music stops then race to find a chair. Since kids in wheelchairs bring their own seat wherever they go, that won’t work! You can adapt the game, however, by using bean bags, pillows, or cardboard “lily pads” for kids to claim when the music stops. Throw a wheelchair-friendly dance party All you need for this one is some killer tunes and space to boogie! Even if the child doesn’t have the arm strength or coordination to move their own chair, they’ll enjoy being twirled around the dance floor. Tip: it’s a good idea for the other dancers to wear shoes, in case the child accidentally rolls over someone’s toes! Related read: 8 activities kids in wheelchairs can try Set up an obstacle course challenge Take advantage of a long driveway, an empty basketball court, or a sleepy dead-end street and set up an obstacle course challenge using chalk, bean bags, pool noodles, hula hoops, and whatever else is at hand. Wheel along a wavy line or draw circles and see if you can toss rocks or bean bags into them. This will be more fun with siblings or friends around—and you can bet it’ll be the kids who will come up with the most fun ideas. Don’t be surprised if they want you to try doing the obstacle course too! Ready, set—race! Find a nice long stretch of asphalt and see how fast your child can wheel themselves from one end to the other. You can use your phone or wristwatch like a stopwatch, or just count out loud to see how many seconds it takes to cross the finish line or do a certain number of laps around the perimeter. Kids can take turns sitting in the wheelchair, or if there’s no other kids around, they can just keep trying to beat their own time. Learn more about inclusive play You can find more ideas for activities kids in wheelchairs can do alone or with other children on the Let’s Play B.C. website, which was developed for caregivers of children with disabilities by the B.C. Wheelchair Basketball Society.
A healthy lifestyle can improve your mood and your physical well being and reduce the risk of developing mortal health conditions. It is equally important to maintain your health and lifestyle if you use a wheelchair. Wheelchairs bring their share of problems and complications to your health. It can be more challenging to maintain your weight, and you are also more susceptible to suffer from mental issues than others. Depression and a lack of physical activity can drive you towards following an unhealthy lifestyle. It is not a secret that obesity is the greatest moral risk of the current age with exponential growth in the number of obese people around the world. It is an alarming situation that the percentage of wheelchair users who suffer from obesity is high. Corporate Wellness App CircleCare CircleCare employee engagement platform provides companies with a platform and tools to motivate their employees via positive reinforcements and rewards to establish and maintain healthy lifestyle choices.Learn More Having a good wheelchair can transform your everyday life to a great extent and reduce the chances of various injuries. Every individual is different, and you need to find the things that work for you and aligns with your preferences. Through this article, let us get to know about the 7 Healthy Living Tips For Wheelchair Users. 1. Stretching and Cardiovascular Exercises Stretching has several advantages to your joints and muscles.As a wheelchair user,one has to sit in a wheelchair for long duration’s without considerable movement of the body which can be detrimental to your health. Moving your wheelchair can build up tension in your muscles and joints and regular stretching aids in releasing the stress. Cardiovascular exercise is mandatory for maintaining the health of your lungs and heart.You can push your wheelchair for some time until you get sweaty and feel your heart racing.You can also engage in exercises with a rowing machine, a stationary hand bike, and swimming. The objective is to incrementally improve the intensity of your exercises by increasing the duration or distance you cover. 2. Sit In An Upright Position According to studies, sitting over long periods in a bad posture is injurious to health, and it can be difficult to maintain good posture while in a wheelchair. Good posture also makes it easier to move your chair and also reduces the chance of injuries. A good way to start sitting properly is by keeping your toes, legs, arms, torso, and head in a straight line. The design and back support of your chair also play a major role in keeping it upright. You can also use cushions to improve your sitting position and shift your posture every few minutes. Sitting in an incorrect position can lead to pressure sores, scoliosis, and restrict your ability to breath. Maintaining good posture is excellent for the health of your spine and bones. Engaging in exercises that strengthen your core muscles also helps in maintaining the right posture. 3. Get Adequate Sleep Getting proper sleep can be hard if you can not get to a comfortable sleeping position.You can use a body pillow to get over this situation by keeping it between your legs so that one leg will not apply too much pressure on the other leg. Sleeping is paramount for resting your body and mind, and your sleeping habits can have a significant impact on your health. Every individual requires a different number of hours to sleep every day and most adults need 6 to 8 hours of sleep. 4. Engage In Traveling Traveling has incredible benefits to your mental and physical well being and can open your mind to new perspectives and possibilities. Traveling is excellent for eliminating stress and can be an effective treatment for preventing depression and anxiety. Traveling should be among the most helpful things you can do to have good mental health and create memories worth revisiting. However, you need to take the proper precautions and equipment such as a foldable electric wheelchair that you can store easily with your luggage while traveling. 5. Drink Fluids Fluid intake is a requirement for maintaining overall health and brain function. However, you must try to avoid drinking sugary and unhealthy fizzy drinks and instead opt for water to re-hydrate your body. Sugary drinks contain excess calories that can lead to gaining weight and also make you host a variety of illnesses. Topping up the fluid reserves of your body will help you recover from illnesses faster and also in losing weight. 6. Maintain Proper Hygiene Taking a shower every day will keep you clean, and it is essential for maintaining a healthy mind. Cleanliness and hygiene are important for the well being of any person, and even if it is difficult to take a shower in a wheelchair, you must take regular showers. You can also try using shower aids such as barrier-free roll-in showers and shower safety aids to help people with disabilities take a shower independently. 7. Eat A Nutritious Diet The human body requires a combination of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals to function properly. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts can provide the best combination of nutrients that replenish every cell in your body. Ensure that you eat at least the daily minimum requirement of every nutrient by daily diet planning. Conclusion Being in a wheelchair is nothing to feel ashamed of, and you can live a fulfilling and healthy life by adopting the right lifestyle. Your mental and physical fitness has an intimate connection, and you cannot have either without adopting a holistic approach. Having a positive outlook on life is necessary at all stages, and you can follow a healthy lifestyle and diet to get a positive mindset. With the right motivation and advice, you can rise above your circumstances and limitations and lead a fulfilling and complete life.
Darren maneuvered the truck carefully back into the loading bay. Then, he opened the door of the truck. He reached over his shoulder and brought out a frame. Laying it on its side, he snapped on a wheel. Then he flipped the frame over and attached the second wheel. He then righted the chair. Grasping the steering wheel of the big truck, Darren swung like a monkey from the truck to his chair. I’ve been in a wheelchair for a half my life,” Darren told impressed onlookers. “It doesn’t affect my trucker skills.” Thanks to modern technology, people with mobility challenges can drive as well as they did before they lost the use of their legs. Paraplegics drive cars and in a few cases, even big rigs. However, there are some things you need to do to ensure you and others who share the road are safe. First, it is very important that mobility-challenged drivers—young and old—declare their medical condition. How You Can Start Drive from Wheelchair 1. Learn the Disabled Driving Laws Driving a car from a wheelchair was once unheard of. However, today, it is increasingly common. Drivers with mobility challenges must learn disabled driving laws. Federal disabled driving laws deal with the ability of disabled individuals to operate a motor vehicle on American highways and roads. The term “disabled” for the purposes of driving laws refers to someone who has lost the ability to use one or more limbs. Their situation requires special adjustments so that they can operate a motor vehicle safely. The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that disabled people are not discriminated against or harassed at work or in public. With The Americans with Disabilities Act in place, state Departments of Motor Vehicles cannot deny an individual the right to a driver’s license based on his/her disability. Accommodations for vehicles driven by mobility-challenged drivers must be in place. These disabled parking spaces, a minimum of eight feet wide with eight-foot loading zones and wheelchair ramps, must be available at every business. Every state has its own motor vehicle laws regarding disabled drivers. Disabled drivers are required to inform the DMV about their disability and a restricted license may be issued based on limited vision, hearing, or mobility. Vehicular modification laws also vary from state to state, and mobility equipment should be installed by an approved vendor. 2. Get Proper Driver Training Just like other driver’s education, disabled driver’s education focuses on knowing and obeying the rules of the road. However, driver’s education for disabled individuals has specific lessons aimed at being a responsible driver, disability notwithstanding. If you are driving car from wheelchair like me whose disability is limited mobility, search for a training center that is accessible. Find a driver training business where hand controls have been installed in the driver training vehicles. It is important to have actual behind-the-wheel practice. All American drivers –including disabled drivers—must be sixteen or older. They may start driver’s education at fifteen. Make sure you have an instructor who is familiar with the road test for disabled drivers. You need to be prepared for, and have lots of practice, at the things the driver test official will ask you to do. 3. Pass the Road Test Before you start in-car training, as a disabled driver, you have to pass a multiple-choice driving theory test. You also have tests of your perception skills. It is important that you are honest with driver testing officials about the nature and extent of your challenges. The final segment of the driver’s test is the road test. It is given by a road test adjudicator who specializes in disabled driving testing. 4. Do you Need to Buy a Vehicle? Like me, you may already have a vehicle that is wheelchair accessible. The adaptations for your vehicle so you can drive it may be as simple as adding hand controls. There may already be a ramp or other means of your getting into the vehicle as a passenger that works for you as a driver. If you need to purchase a vehicle, there are some considerations that will help. Find a seller who knows aboutwheelchair accessible vehicles. There is no perfect vehicle for every mobility challenged driver. Work with someone who is a certified mobility consultant. Get a free evaluation. This will help you discover what adaptations you need to make the most informed choice. Ask specific questions aimed at a vehicle that meets your unique needs. 5. Get a Disabled Parking Permit If you have been in a wheelchair for a while, you may already have a disabled parking permit. Rules for handicap parking permits vary from state to state. Check out the procedures for the state in which you live. In some states, you can download the application. In others, you must to a Department of Motor Vehicles office. Your doctor or other healthcare professional may have to fill out part of the application. Check out what you need to do with your doctor or go to your nearest DMV office for details. 6. Have Hand Controls Installed The car you will be driving will need to be fitted with hand controls. These are connected to the accelerator and brake of your vehicle using a driving arm. This miraculous device takes some getting used to. If possible, make that part of your driver training program. If the company does not have one, they might be willing to do your driver’s education in your car. 7. Get a Docking Station If you are driving your vehicle from your actual chair the way I do, then the vehicle will need a docking station. This floor-mounted device clicks onto your electric or manual wheelchair. It holds your chair securely in place while you drive directly from your wheelchair. If like my friend Darren, you get into the regular driver’s seat and put your wheelchair in the back seat or the trunk then this docking station isn’t necessary. You can add it later if you need to drive from your chair. 8.
Our goal with Wheelchair Adventures Manitoba is to share a wide range of information on different kinds of resources, activities and adventures for people in wheelchairs.
