Have you ever been without your car for a few days and wondered how you were going to get from one place to another? It can be surprisingly frustrating to have to rely on another person or even public transportation to get around. But imagine if you weren’t able move around your home or the community because your legs will not function like they used to. Imagine all the support you would need from your family and friends just to shower, transfer to the bathroom or cook a simple meal. 

For individuals who have had a stroke, head injury, spinal cord injury, back injury, ALS, multiple sclerosis or are undergoing cancer treatment, getting a safe way to move around your home and community can be life changing.

For those who are requiring a wheelchair, an occupational therapist (OTR) and assistive technology practitioner (ATP) can do a wheelchair assessment, which helps them evaluate your home and physical strength to determine what kind of wheelchair would meet your needs and be covered by your insurance.

If you have good arm strength, you may benefit from a lightweight or ultralight manual wheelchair. If you are undergoing cancer treatment, you may be experiencing trouble with your stamina, falling more often and having difficulty attending doctor visits. In this case, a scooter or power wheelchair may be best for you. If you’ve had a stroke or have a progressive neurological condition like multiple sclerosis, you may benefit from a power wheelchair that can help with pressure relief, custom cushions to accommodate for postural changes, standing features and the ability to raise and lower the seat height to get into cabinets and reach your kitchen counters.

If you want to be more independent and have a safer and more efficient way to move around your home and community, please talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for a wheelchair assessment. We have a wheelchair clinic day at Aultman Massillon therapy the third Thursday of every month, and we would love to help you meet your mobility needs.