How to Fold Wheelchairs
A rigid wheelchair is made for the convenience of the user. It is relatively light and an extension of the user's body. However, a folding wheelchair is more for the convenience of the people with the wheelchair user or the people pushing a wheelchair. Folding wheelchairs are not as sturdy as rigid wheelchairs but have swing-away leg rests, allow for easy storage in a vehicle and tend to be more flexible. (Ref. 2)
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Instructions
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Roll the folding wheelchair near the place where it is to be stowed. Put the brakes of the folding wheelchair on.
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Remove the seat cushion of the wheelchair. Most folding wheelchair models have detachable seats which are firm and therefore do not fold along with the chair. Some cushions lay unattached while others have buckles, Velcro or some form of securing device. Gently pull off or unbuckle the cushion and set it aside. If you are storing the wheelchair in a car, put the cushion immediately in the trunk or backseat of the car so you do not forget it.
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3
Check the space in your car trunk. Many car trunks have space for a folding wheelchair, but not always with the legs or headrests attached. Remove the legs using the lever just behind the top of the legs' attachment to the chair. Swing one leg out to the side of the chair at a 90-degree angle and then slide the leg attachment up and out of its place. Repeat this step for the other leg.
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Set the legs aside. If you are placing the wheelchair into your car, leave the legs out of the trunk or back seat until after you have placed the folding wheelchair into the car.
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Lift the headrest, if there is one, up and apart from the chair. Do not pull too hard or at an angle. Place the headrest with the other removable parts of the wheelchair.
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Remove the brakes from the wheels. Hold the wheelchair with both hands--one hand on each handle. Lift the chair slightly up and simultaneously push the two handles toward each other. The back of the chair will fold in the middle, and the wheels will come closer together. This movement is possible because the frame of a folding wheelchair is collapsible by the use of an X mechanism in the frame.
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Lift the wheelchair up and into the back seat or trunk of your car or into its storage area. Place the legs and headrest next to the chair, in the trunk around the chair or in the back seat of your car.
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Tips & Warnings
Always keep the parts of the folding wheelchair together. When you know where everything is, it is faster and simpler to assemble, disassemble and fold.
Folding wheelchairs can be very heavy. If you have back pain or do not have sufficient upper body strength, do not lift the folding wheelchair on your own.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit wheelchairs image by Gina Smith from Fotolia.com
