Wheelchair that is easy to self-propel?

[Hangingbellyofbabylon]

Dd is 5 and has CP. She wants to be able to self-propel in her wheelchair but it is ridiculous, she'd need arms like an orangutan to be able to reach the wheels, the wheelchair is so heavy. I want to look at other wheelchairs, (will be seeking funding from charity probably). Any recommendations? I think she deserves to be able to self-propel if she had the right equipment.

[MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay]

Take a look at some of these;
www.r82.com/en-IE/Products/Cheetah.aspx

I have several friends who love R82 stuff..

Ottobock are another.. one friend has the tiniest child in their smallest wheelchair..she was independent in it by aged 2!

www.ottobock.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ob_uk_en/hs.xsl/1276.html

We had a kuschall for my son .. loved it (sadly long outgrown now ahs rubbish NHS issue)
www.hsc-mobility.co.uk/html/Paediatric.htm

Worth taking a look and getting some quotes:)

[HairyMaclary]

Hi Hanging Belly - as you know DS has cp too and is now 6. We looked into this last year - Ottobock were not suitable, R82 ok but Kushall were the best. In the end we decided not to go for it for a variety of reasons but will revisit this next year and probably go for the Kushall.

DS just started to self propel his w/c its an active 3 but v narrow and he can reach the wheels. it's too heavy for any distances but it give him enough independence to move small distances when he doesn't want to walk.

[Hangingbellyofbabylon]

thanks, I'm going to look into these

[EndOfTheRoad2011]

hiya Hanging,

Our DD has an Active 3 too and it does the job for small distances and she is independent at school. She started off in an ottobock which was great as long as the flooring was suitable.

hth x

[Tewkespeggy]

good on her! when i was little my best firend had spina bifida (she still has it but now she's groen up) .... anyway my point is that when she was tiny her dad took a wooden 'in-tray' and put multiway casters on it so she could reach the floor and propell herself along. I cant tell you the hours of fun we had with her

I think this idea might be a bit little for her but i'm sure you'll find something

[madwomanintheattic]

are they still running kidz north and kidz south? if so, it's well worth trying to get to the nearest and trying out loads with dd... the reps are usually really helpful.

[EndOfTheRoad2011]

Kidz Up North ? Thursday, 24th November 2011, Reebok Stadium, Bolton

Kidz in the Middle ? Thursday, 29th March 2012, Jaguar Exhibition Hall at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Really really friendly and useful, we went last year and it was great!

[madwomanintheattic]

ah, ta, endoftheroad - apparently they've renamed it 'middle'! didn't it used to be in reading and be called 'south'?

[HairyMaclary]

There is one down south too - I think it's still in REading - nearly went last year but DS had an appointment!

[EndOfTheRoad2011]

There is one down South too but that has been and gone in June or July :)

[madwomanintheattic]

wow, three now! fab!

[isw]

DD 3.5 picked up her Active 3 today and stunned us all by being able to self propel - she can only do short distances but its better than nothing. Definately no problem with her being able to reach the wheels.

[chatee]

rgk and helium are popular with kids 11+ as have just spent a week with loads of wheelchair using kids and these were the most popular or the most wanted...