Written by Robert Wise – PDA VIC Associate Director
Welcome to part two in a series of blogs focusing on some of the assisted technology and other items that I received NDIS funding for – enabling me to become a bit more independent and to continue to do the things that I like to do and, most importantly, helping me to achieve my goals.
I have been a NDIS recipient since 2018 and one of the first things granted in my first plan was a lightweight manual wheelchair. A wheelchair was one of the critical items I needed as a lower limb amputee. Many lower limb amputees are considered part time wheelchair users.
I need to use a wheelchair mainly whilst outside in the community, as a prosthetic is not an option for me and walking on crutches can be tiring at times. I also need a wheelchair to shower. I use it to transfer in and out of the shower as using crutches in wet areas is very dangerous. I also use a wheelchair to carry lightweight items as this is easier than trying to carry items whilst on crutches as both hands are needed to use them.
I do have a wheelchair that was issued through my state’s assisted tech program, but the one I was issued with was a very basic model with some minor customisation for my needs. One of the reasons I applied for a new wheelchair was that my current one had no tiedown loops to carry the chair with me in it in a wheelchair taxi or on a long-distance wheelchair accessible coach service. I found this out the hard way. Having booked a seat on a particular service, and having mentioned at the time that I needed wheelchair accessible space, I was told “no problems there”. However, when I arrived to board the coach which was “wheelchair accessible”, the coach driver took one look at my chair and said “this has no tie down loops so I cannot secure your chair and it has to go in the luggage area”. So I had no choice but to get out of the chair and use my crutches to struggle up the narrow steps into a seat.
After a great report, a couple of quotes and in very little time, I took delivery of a new HELIO wheelchair complete with many accessories including crutch carrier and an under seat luggage net to carry a small amount of shopping without effecting the centre of gravity. Most importantly it had tie down loops. The wheelchair is very lightweight and easy to fold flat for transporting in a normal car boot. It is easy to self-propel and glides smoothly on many surfaces.
Over the next year I customised this wheelchair some more with a power assist device known as a “Smoov One” that attaches to the rear of the wheelchair to assist with getting up hills or help when fatigue sets in. This device just moves the wheelchair. Steering and braking is still needed by the user, but that’s a minor issue. Another add-on was a set of off-road tires for getting across grass gravel etc if needed. I used to enjoy hiking to get to some nice locations and these wheels help me somewhat to see some of those sites again – but not all. I have an off-road Hand Cycle for more rugged areas (Check out my previous blog and video for that).
I have included a short video on some of the features of the wheelchair and I will include a video on the Smoov One power assist in another upcoming blog.
Stay tuned.
