With summer almost upon us, more and more people are planning trips to the beach. It seems just about everyone loves to visit the ocean — people who use wheelchairs are no different. In the past, a traditional wheelchair has been an obstacle to beach going. But thanks to today’s “beach wheelchairs,” those who have mobility-related disabilities can be the first ones in the sun.
What is a beach wheelchair?
A beach wheelchair is a wheelchair especially designed for beach use. Creators of beach wheelchairs saw an obvious need that people with mobility-related disabilities had and fulfilled it. Today, many people use beach wheelchairs in the summer.
What are some benefits of a beach wheelchair?
A beach wheelchair has the ability to…
– Float as well as wheel
– Support up to 550 pounds
– Give people with disabilities the opportunities to take part in all aspects of family vacations and summer fun
– Give users a new sense of freedom of mobility
Would you like to purchase a beach wheelchair?
If so, you can find them on the following sites:
– http://www.hippocampe.co.uk/
– http://www.hotshotproducts.org/
– http://www.beachwheelchair.com/
If you are not able to afford to buy a sometimes-expensive beach wheelchair, you may be able to rent one.
Looking for a beach in Canada that is wheelchair-accessible?
If so, you might want to take a summer trip to Prince Edward Island. PEI National Park recently added a $500,000 pedestrian ramp to Brackley Beach. Unfortunately, national park beaches are not required to be wheelchair-accessible. That’s what sets Prince Edward Island National Park apart.
Beach wheelchairs are also able to be used at the PEI National Park. The best news is, they are free!
Are you strapped for cash? Would you really like to try out a beach wheelchair? If so, Prince Edward Island would be a great summer vacation spot for you.
Developments such as the beach wheelchair prove that mobility options are on the increase for people with disabilities.
That should give us all hope that even more mobility options will continue to be created. People with disabilities are truly experiencing increasing amounts of mobility-related freedom.
Sources:
http://everyoneoutdoors.blogspot.com/2010/08/beach-wheelchairs-what-is-your.html
http://www.spinalcord.org/beach-wheelchairs/
Image made available by adactio on Flickr through Creative Commons License.
*Please note: All research for this article is compiled from direct and third party sources. Mention of programs, organizations and companies does not imply support of The National Benefit Authority. Pictures are for creative purposes only; they are not intended to sell or promote products for the NBA and belong to the accredited individual, organization or company.
Let’s Talk About It
Have you ever used a beach wheelchair? Tell us about your experience.
How does it make you feel to know that mobility devices such as the beach wheelchair are regularly being developed?
I would like to know where I could rent a beach wheelchair in Grand Ben as my daughter is getting married at the beach in July, any information would help me.Thank you.
HI ALL , I HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD ALL MY LIFE, SINCE I WAS 14 YEARS OLD HELPING MY FARTHER,BUILDING THINGS. FURNITURE, HOUSES, ETC . LEARNED A LOT . HAD MY OWN BUSINESS IN 2001 MY OWN BOSS IN MY STORE , LIFTED A HEAVY ITEM, OVER MY HEAD AND HEARED A POP IN MY BACK . COULD NOT WALK THE NEXT DAY, SAW FAMILY DOCTOR , GOT CAT SCAN, FOUND OUT THAT I HAD A HERNIATED DISK. ALSO DEGENERATED DISKS, FROM ARTHRITIS . WAITED FOR 2 YEARS TO FIND SERGON TO OPERATE ON MY BACK. ALL THIS TIME I WAS IN PAIN SO MUCH I COULD NOT SLEEP. ONE KIDNEY SHUT DOWN , ALL MY STOMACH MUSCLES WENT RIBED . LOTS OF ICE, TO TAKE KEEP THE SWELLING DOWN . FINALY HAD SURGERY , 4 HOURS LATER WITH 6 SCREWS 2 RODS , AND A FUSION ON THE LOWER BACK . STILL WITH LOTS OF PAIN. FAMILY DOCTOR GAVE ME OXIY COTTON , THEY DID NOT WORK, AFTER TWO YEARS STOP THEM . LOST MY SHORT TERM MEMERY , AND SOME OF MY EYE SITE. ANY WAY NOW I GO TO MY CHIROPRACTOR, FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT, AND ICE . AS OF NOW I DO NOT RECEVE ANY MONEY FROM ANY GOVERNMENT. I WORK 2 DAYS AWEEK , AND THE REST I AM IN PAIN . THIS HAS CHANGED MY WHOLE LIFE AROUND. I DO MORE THINGS FOR MY-SELF NOW. NOT FOR OTHERS, I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WAY BEFORE. WE ALL HAVE TO LOOK AFTER OURSELVES. SO KEEP YOU BODY, MIND, SPIRIT, CLEAN. ON MY DAYS OFF I GO WALKING THOUGH THE PARKS, OF TORONTO. AND TAKE PHOTOS OF WILD LIFE ETC. IT TAKES ME TO ANOTHER PLACE AND TIME. THANK-YOU FOR READING THIS ARTICLE ON PART OF MY LIFE . MARK
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