Child Wheelchair Seats and Cushions
Kids have a hard time sitting still. Even when they do sit still they need to be comfortable. If your son is reading Harry Potter or The Hobbit, you definitely don't want to break the spell with a wheelchair seat that doesn't fit.
Fortunately, child wheelchairs are designed to accommodate kids' squirminess. The typical seat width is 11 inches or 27.5 cm. You can request some adult wheelchairs in kids' sizes. If your child still wiggles around, invest in comfortable foam seat cushions for when your child is on the move or has to sit for long periods such as doing homework. Cooling cushions and heating pads can be therapeutic too.
Tried everything? Your son may just need to be out of the chair. No matter how adaptable the wheelchair, wheelchairs can be hard on the back. A standing seat option or standing frame wheelchair may be the way to go.
So now when your kids won't sit still and listen to you, take comfort. It's not their pediatric wheelchairs, they're just being kids.
Sports/Lightweight Chairs for Everyday Use
Even if your little basketball/soccer/gymnastics fan shudders at the idea of being athletic, she can still use lightweight/sports child wheel chairs with wheel chair accessories for children, such as spoke guards with the NY Knicks logo.
Sports/lightweight pediatric wheelchairs have become popular by parents selecting child wheelchairs for daily use. They look sporty, with colors such as "slime green," and move easily. Sports child wheelchairs gently handle the rough-and-tumble days of childhood. They're also easy to transport by car.
"Lightweight" doesn't mean lack of support. When you have your child measured for a wheelchair, your doctor or mobility aid specialist will make recommendations about wheelchairs that will support your child. Lightweight pediatric wheelchairs offer the same support as other child wheelchairs¡ªthey're just easier to operate. Consult with your doctor about lightweight child wheel chairs.
Even if your child claims to be allergic to sports, she won't hesitate to get active and play outside with her friends, or go cheer on her favorite team.
Standing Wheel Chair Frames for Children
Now you can say to your children, "Stand up straight," even when they're in child wheelchairs. If your child still has use of both legs and isn't an amputee but requires a wheelchair, standing frame pediatric wheelchairs give her a boost. If she needs an alternative to her walker or crutches, standing frame child wheel chairs are easier to operate and have room to place her bookbag, cell phone, sports equipment, science projects, or CD player.
Standing frame child wheel chairs lessen conditions like progressive scoliosis, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy (wheelchair-bound kids have a high risk of hip dislocation), and build skeletomuscular strength, improving range of motion. Children with arthritis can do physical therapy during their normal daily activities, and feel confident. This is especially true for children who are recovering from temporary illness or injury.
Changing positions from standing to sitting in conventional wheelchairs can put unneccessary pressure on muscles and joints. Inappropriate positions can cause tremendous pain.
The upshot? Your child can be more confident. Kids hate being shorter than their peers, but with a standing frame chair, your son can look that starting forward on the school basketball team in the eye. No need to worry about being left out of class trips, dances and carnivals! Your child can win that ring toss with the improved muscle tone and coordination from all that exercise. You may worry about muscle spasms with many diseases, but standing frame pediatric wheelchairs can decrease these so that your child can hit the bullseye with a steady hand.
One of the best benefits of a standing frame wheelchair? You can hug your child and get hugged back. That's definitely a reason for your kids to stand tall and proud.
Child Wheelchairs and Sports
Your child was born with big dreams as well as limited mobility. Your daughter loves racing and soccer, but you're worried that child wheel chairs won't let her bend it like Beckham.
Many pediatric wheelchairs such as the Little Dipper from Colours by Permobil let your child play sports and, even better, help child wheelchairs fit in the team van. Your Pete Sampras can enjoy team spirit and Gatorade with his friends thanks to a dual axle rear receiver that allows him to roll into the van and onto the tennis court, then win the match! The dual axle rear receiver, which you can request, also helps off the tennis or basketball court.
There are also sport-specific child wheel chairs such as the QuickIe T-Tube Racer, if you want to encourage sports participation to the max. However, this may not be an affordable option for every family. The Little Dipper additions are a great alternative.
No one likes to be picked last or left on the sidelines, and kids need physical activity. After all, you always knew your little girl could do anything the boys could do...and better!
Wheelchairs Before Kindergarten
Your children are paralyzed or unable to walk, but they're not old enough for child wheelchairs. We know you love your kids no matter what and want their ride to be smooth even though their life isn't.
Take heart: You can choose pre-wheelchairs, pediatric mobility aids, that look like bumper cars. The Tumble Forms Ready Racer is a cool way for your child to get around indoors. Your son or daughter can scoot around with other kids in a race-car-style conveyance that has the maneuverability of pediatric wheelchairs. The Ready Racer builds up upper body and arm strength and improves perceptual motor skills while allowing your child independence. Your child can tear around across that shag carpet. And other kids will think it's awesome!
Just be mindful of safety as you are with any other wheeled contraption your child would drive, although the Ready Racer is safer. Also, the Ready Racer is mainly intended for indoor use.
As an alternative, the MiniBot and GoBot from Mobility4Kids offer the same freedom as the Ready Racer. However, the MiniBot operates in closed spaces while the GoBot can handle dirt, grass and carpet.
Anothe choice for the stroller crowd is the Kid Kart, which is easy for parents/caregivers and comes in bright colors. The Kids brand child wheel chairs are designed just for use by toddlers. Since both of these need you to push them, you may not want to use them for long if you desire to give your child more independence.
*Get the adjustable handle for easier carrying and handling. Enjoy life with your hot rodding child!
Helmets, Gloves and Elbow Pads
What do you always say as parents?
"Wear your helmet."
"Don't go out without your hat and gloves!"
"Where do you think you're going without elbow and knee pads?"
Child wheel chairs don't, and shouldn't, give your kid a "No Parenting" pass. The proper equipment gives them more independence. Invest in kneepad protectors, fabric attachments for the lower frame of child wheelchairs.
You can still use the hat and gloves line. Select Velcro-sealing tough but soft gloves just like the ones kids use for scooters and bikes. For kids in manual pediatric wheelchairs, chapped hands and friction are constant problems. No one likes to feel self-conscious because of red and blistered hands.
Also, don't forget softening lotion such as Vaseline or Johnson and Johnson baby oil. Your kids should also carry hand wipes for that common parental complaint, "Wash your hands--you don't know who touched that last!"
All that parental advice will make your kids grumble, but secretly, they'll feel happy that you care.
Cool Wheel Chair Accessories
Kids can be cruel to each other. Sometimes other kids can't see beyond the wheelchair to the fun best friend/science expert/Monopoly champion you know your child is. The answers are simple:
1) Help your child to be outgoing.
2) Never let her give up.
3) Accessorize!
There are wheel chair accessories for children and adults that can add sparkle to child wheelchairs, or at least can pump up the "cool" factor. Some suggestions:
? Mounts to hold laptop computers, boomboxes or cell phones for older kids and toys for younger kids
? Desktops so kids can play board or card games with friends
? Spoke guards in different colors or with pictures of dolphins, the American flag, or a happy face
? Seat covers in animal prints
? Cup holders
Children can get creative with pediatric wheelchairs. That picture from art class, decals and stickers, glow-in-the-dark garlands on the handlebars, a photo of the family pet, bumper stickers with funny (not offensive) sayings...a child's imagination and enthusiasm to dress up the world has no limits. Encourage creativity, it's the best accessory of all.
What are the best wheel chair accessories for children? Friends.
Growth Kits, Growth Options
Your precious little girl cuddled in your arms and just cooed whenever she was happy. Now she's too big for her bed...and her wheelchair. You want her to be healthy and safe, but you can't keep buying brand new child wheel chairs.
Now, you don't have to. The latest in wheel chair accessories for children: Growth options or "growth kits" that come with growth child wheelchairs or can be purchased separately¡ªthey're more affordable than buying new child wheelchairs.
More than mere wheel chair accessories for children, growth kits allow you and your kids to make adjustments to pediatric wheelchairs as your little angels with wheels grow. Growth kits include replaceable components that you can expand to larger sizes. For example, the Colours pediatric wheelchair line by Permobil offers new wheelchair frames with upholstery and footrests.
Think your insurance won't pay? Sometimes insurance companies do cover growth kits, depending on your policy. Ask the underwriting department or check the fine print. If you don't have insurance, growth kits are still a relatively inexpensive option.
After all, no matter how fast your child grows, she never will outgrow your love.