Wheelchair users can live full and bountiful lives on their terms. However, such possibilities aren’t always clear to them, especially if they’re new to the chair and struggling to adapt to their circumstances.
Regardless of a user’s level of wheelchair experience, there can still be occasional curveballs regarding the challenges such a life can bring. If you’re in a wheelchair yourself, you may understand this. Still, you must preserve your dignity and know your self-worth. Even if you’ve led a fully independent life up until now, there can still be the occasional hardship that can seemingly undermine what you’ve set out to achieve.
Though situations vary, many wheelchair users wish to attain and maintain a stronger sense of independence. If you feel similarly, the below measures might help with those goals.
Buy A WAV
A wheelchair-accessible vehicle can give you much autonomy in your daily life. They’re outfitted with a range of features to ensure that each journey you make is safe and comfortable.
You might know what you need yourself, and that’s okay. By talking with mobility advisors first, you can ensure that you make a more informed decision before making any spending decision. Being independent doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help on big life decisions, so try to access some top-tier guidance if you can.
These purchases can be more affordable than you might presume, too. For instance, used WAVs can be procured from Allied Mobility for a cost-effective sum of £7,995. If you have a bigger budget, that’s fine too, and you can use the filters on their website to set your ideal price range. You can also browse by make, model, fuel type, wheelchair spaces, and more. Moreover, Allied Mobility also invite you to discuss your needs with their mobility advisors, which is recommended!
WAVs have lowered floors and rear access ramps and lifts to make each travel you make safer and more straightforward. They can also be small for the use of yourself and a partner or built to accommodate larger groups of people. Whatever your cost or logistics needs, leading specialists like Allied Mobility will have you covered.
Strive To Be Open-Minded
It can seem like many restrictions have been imposed upon you as a wheelchair user. It’s not right or fair, but it’s important to realise that these disabilities may not hold you back as much as you might fear.
Obviously, your attitudes here may vary, depending on how long you’ve been in the wheelchair before. Nobody is above an effort to build self-confidence, so even if you believe you’ve mastered the art of being open-minded about yourself, a few reminders won’t go amiss.
You can still cook and clean from a seated position. You can lower counters and other surfaces if you need to by implementing a few modifications. More changes can be made too, such as:
- Widening doorways
- Fitting grab bars in bathrooms
- Installing stair lifts
- Featuring ramps
Some modifications can be expensive, but by researching government grants and having your home assessed by your local council, official bodies may be able to cover many of these costs on your behalf. Ultimately, you have options when it comes to your comfort, so keep that in mind.
Surround Yourself With The Right People
Being independent doesn’t mean flying solo. It means recognising your self-worth and doing what you can for yourself; often, others can play a crucial role in your self-discovery journey, which can be constant and ever-changing as you grow.
There may be days when your view of yourself and your capabilities is distorted. Sometimes, it can take much-loved family and friends to help you realise your potential. Surround yourself with people that encourage you and introduce you to new life paths and opportunities. Perhaps pity isn’t helpful to you, but some proactive suggestions to help you live your life more fully can be useful.
Of course, you don’t have to agree to everything that comes your way. However, it may help to keep a few positive influences close, as they can inspire you to lead your life a certain way with a certain attitude. You can learn from people, even if you’re not always on a parallel wavelength.
Enrol In Wheelchair-Friendly Activities
Many wheelchair users enjoy partaking in adaptive sports, wheelchair-friendly exercises, and other seniors’ joyful independent living hobbies that encourage creativity and social engagement. It’s highly recommended that you do the same, especially if you’re striving to be more independent.
Speaking of surrounding yourself with the right people, a huge benefit of taking up some new physical activities is that you’ll meet peers doing the same. New friendships can be started, and you’ll be immersed in an environment that radiates positive energy and is wholly devoted to steady progress around self-improvement. There is a range of activities to enjoy too. For example, reports from the end of 2022 showed that some wheelchair users found dance classes life-changing, revitalising their sense of self and aspirations. Others gravitate toward tennis, with those reaching the pinnacle of this arena playing at Wimbledon like anybody else. There’s enormous scope here for expression and talent.