Wheelchairs

[Sunshine]

I need a non motorized wheelchair to be able to accompany family to fun places, like a restaurant without curbside parking, to large shopping places such as TJMaxx, to meet up relatives in big hotels etc.

I want it to be light so I can put it in the back of my car. Other than that, I have no clue what to look for?

Any suggestions?

[Virginia]

BBS, you will have to wait for Agate or Cat maybe to come along. No matter how light weight I could not push myself, so I haven't looked into them. I think some others on here have.

[Howie]

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

[agate]

I haven't ever dealt with the kind of chair you're talking about but I know they exist. Some of the chairs shown in Howie's link should be what you're looking for. The lightest weight chairs on that page aren't for self-propelling. Someone else pushes you while you sit in the chair. But there are other fairly lightweight manual chairs.

My chair has snap-on wheels but I've hardly ever snapped them off because the mainframe can be lifted into a vehicle (by an able-bodied person). It's not considered a lightweight chair, however.

[Catdancer]

You do not want something called a "transport" chair for sure....they're only designed to be pushed by an attendant, and usually on smooth surfaces like tile floors. A foldable chair gives you the most versatility -- it will fit into most car trunks. The pop-off wheels are a nice feature as it makes the chair even smaller. Get foam filled tires....they care indestructible on all surfaces, indoor and out ( they will lose tread in time, like car tires, but we're talking years, here).

Things to consider: do you intend to propel yourself? Do you intend to drive yourself to places in your own car, or do you want the flexibility to ride in any vehicle? How much do you intend to use the chair...a lot, at which time I'd suggest you get a prescription to be properly fitted and measured for one (and for which Medicare and/or your insurance company will pay for it), or you look on eBay, or Craig's list for a used one. Or buy one. I usually buy mine at Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register... where there is a chart showing you how to measure yourself for a good fit, and where you can see lots of choices, including various scooters which, depending on your overall mobility, might serve you as well as a wheelchair.

[Lazarus]

My chair has snap on wheels but, like Agate, my chair fits easily in the car so I don't take them off that often. It is incredibly light weight. Made of titanium.

I had the seat set low so I could use my feet to sort of wheelwalk at the farmers market.

It takes a lot of practice to be able to push yourself but I can do it with arm strength as long as the ground is solid.

[Sunshine]

Thank you very much. I will pursue all these ideas. My kids are visiting until tomorrow and will study this Monday after they fly home,

[Jeanie Z]

:) Myself I prefer a light weight scooter. There are times when I do not have the energy to go out and the thought of having to push myself when that tired would be too much. I can do arm exercises to keep my arms strong, and I prefer that to pushing myself. Jeanie :)

[Sunshine]

My husband said carbon fiber WC are super light. Having trouble finding one in USA. One is in Britain. It weighs about 10 pounds, which seems impossible!

[Jeanie Z]

:) I found one that is only 24 lbs for $318. The website is Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register... It is on the right side about half way down the page. Jeanie :)

[Sunshine]

The link was a dead end for my iPad, but this one works
Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

Thank you Jeannie. I guess I should go to the store as, other than weight, I don't comprehend the features, the pros and cons of each feature like different cushions, foot rests and so forth. I am looking for something easy to lift and store in car, safe to operate and easy to operate. I'm guess I should just look and learn!

[Howie]

Yep, that one works. And it's LIGHT at a tad under 20 pounds. And from Karman, and I have a Karmann Ghia....it's a done deal!!!

[agate]

I like the way the backrest folds down when the chair is collapsed.

Among the options is a "UV resistant canopy top" but it's not pictured. I looked up some photos of them, and it could be a sort of umbrella, which could be very useful because I for one haven't figured out a way to propel my wheelchair with both hands while hanging onto an umbrella, and so I get drenched. My "answer" has been to wear a rainhat but it just keeps my head dry.

I see it has regular bicycle-type spokes instead of the plastic substitutes I've been getting in recent years. I can't see that the plastic ones are an improvement over the metal ones.

A couple of features that came with my freebie wheelchair are options that you pay for with this Karman chair--but they're not ultra-expensive: a seatbelt and the antitip wheels. They're both important to have, IMO.

[Howie]

I assume you could add any of those features later if you felt one might be handy.

[agate]

Yes, I'm sure you can--unless the company stops offering that feature.