Wheelchair decoration/ideas

[Sodie]

My daughter uses a wheelchair (can only walk about 10 steps) she's 11. This is new as she got seriously unwell after covid in September and has been left needing a wheelchair. She's struggling to accept this and just after some ideas to make the chair a bit more individual. We have ordered personalised things for the wheels but I can't see anything about wrapping the metal to change the colour etc.

Glad you have the wheels sorted, was going to suggest spoke covers which look fun. Is it a manual chair? Self-propelled or pushed by someone? Or electric? (I have a folding electric and always think manual chairs look easier to decorate, but that might be wishful thinking).
Washi tape for the frame works well, or if you look on etsy there are a few people selling mobility aid decals, sticker type things designed to go on canes, walkers, charis etc. Currently on my walker I have some rainbow ribbon (so all the colours over a shortish length) wrapped in a spiral round the upright rods, and secured with black masking tape to match the frame. Could something like that work?

She's too young for instagram I think, but if you don't have an account, would be worth setting up an account to follow disabled creators to get ideas and help her gain confidence. There's lots of teens and young adults helping to destigmatise wheelchairs, plus some parent-run accounts for younger kids who are enjoying showing off their mobility aids.

I'd be very, very wary of getting her involved with disabled Instagram. It's an extremely toxic environment and the possible benefits are likely outweighed by the risks.

Also: paint! Badges! Tinsel! Mini lights!

(Am a veteran wheelchair-blinger. )

Hi. I use a wheelchair/mobility scooter/rollator/crutches depending on how I feel on the day
Washi tape I a good call, as are spoke covers.
I got a load of stickers from redbubble to decorate my mobility scooter with. It has skeletor on it and my favourite "I am not a robot" captcha sticker.

You could also wrap the metal in vinyl like you would for worktops etc, in any colour she likes.

A comfy cushion for sitting on also helps, and you can get some very decorative covers to go over her legs in the winter months so that she doesn't get cold.

A thought - is it yours? ie, could you even spray paint it her favourite colour?
I collect badges to go on the basket of mine, if something like that would be an option for the soft bits.

Some places selling decoration options, don't know what she's into
www.hellonwheels.club/

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1043224433/mobility-aid-decals-walking-stick?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=wheelchair+decals&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&pro=1&frs=1&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1016061841/elasticated-wheelchair-frame-protection?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=wheelchair+decals&ref=sr_gallery-1-29&organic_search_click=1

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1218900662/my-disability-is-not-a-topic-of?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=wheelchair+decals&ref=sr_gallery-1-22&sts=1&organic_search_click=1

It's a self propelled though she can't actually do this because of how weak she is. We had bought our own to see her through until wheelchair services had hers ready (it's taken 5 months). Her wheelchair we had was very pretty in pink and pale grey so we didn't need to do anything to it. But her new chair is not as fancy looking but is a lot sturdier, she has ptsd and other mental health issues induced from her long stay in hospital. So I just want to make her comfortable in this chair. I've got instagram will try to find accounts. Tape to cover the metal would be ideal.

Obviously she would need to be supervised until she's old enough to work out what's helpful and what's not.
However personally I've found it an invaluable source of connection and support, and very encouraging to see other young people using mobility aids. It can be very isolating otherwise.

@colouringfoxes I've participated. I know what it's like. I'm saying it's deeply toxic. Sounds like OP is going to follow your advice, which is a shame. All I can do is give the warning...

@Innocenta why is it toxic? Could you give some pointers for what exactly OP should be avoiding, assuming she wants to have a look?

Instagram is definitely a good source to show her that there are many other people in wheelchairs and encourage her to decorate hers and make it her own. It may also boost her confidence as I know it can be tough being in a chair at first.
Of course she'd need supervising and ensuring she's using the Internet safely, but it can be an invaluable source of encouragement, support and ideas

Innocenta I don't know what accounts you were following but I've never come across anything toxic on Instagram, I suppose I must he lucky and be following the genuinely supportive accounts.

@HerRoyalHappiness It's unfortunately more likely that you are embedded in the culture and unaware of it.

I’d go neon if I had to have a chair spray paint for bicycles would do it.

@Innocenta I can assure you I'm not the toxic one on here.

@colouringfoxes I'm really happy to talk on DM, to you or to OP, about this, but I don't want to dox myself to the whole board. Shoot me a message and I'll gladly explain the kind of thing I mean. These issues unfortunately are near ubiquitous (though not quite!) in spaces devoted to disability / chronic illness.

Now I really want this

I definitely won't be getting involved in any toxic groups, my daughter doesn't have instagram. She can't use any screens because it makes her cfs worse. I would more look on instagram for tags of wheelchair bling.

Those etsy stickers are just what I'm after, thinking of getting some in metalic red and black to use all over the frame (it's red and black). She loves crochet and has made her own blanket. We have a very good cushion which wheelchair services have provided but will make a funky cover for it. Thanks everyone ☺

@HerRoyalHappiness There's no need to descend to ad hominem. I wasn't saying you, personally, were toxic. That is a completely different thing from being embedded within a problematic culture.

I'm alright thanks, OP can PM you if she likes for specific criticisms/ accounts to avoid

This was the sort of thing I was thinking! Just having a look for pictures etc
Cushion cover sounds great, I hope it helps her feel more comfortable using it

@Innocenta I merely stated I'm not toxic. If you read more into that then that's a you issue.
@Sodie it sounds like you've some really good plans for her. Hopefully she'll soon get used to having her chair and will feel positive about it 😁

LED rope lights can look good around the rims of the wheels.

Izzywheels have done a disney collab if that's the sort of thing she likes or they have plenty of other options.

www.izzywheels.com/wheelchair-spoke-guards?page=3&fbclid=IwAR2cB1OEeFHdPgBOYNe1e0doOoa_qVmioHforGH4eTCn5zXD3U3dBc7exv4

@HerRoyalHappiness You've attacked me multiple times on MN so it was a (fairly obvious) swipe, regardless of the cheap attempt at deniability.

I've never once attacked you, but you do you. As I said to OP already, she has some ideas now and hopefully they'll help her daughter.

@colouringfoxes No bother! Just didn't want you to think I was refusing to answer your question. I've been involved on Instagram for... a really long time, and unfortunately my take would possibly be identifying. 😁😂