Daniel was dreading the first day at his new school. Any kid
would be a little nervous to be starting at someplace new, but
Daniel was extra-worried because he uses a wheelchair. He wondered
how the other kids would react. Would they stare and make fun of
him?
On the first day of school, he rolled into his new classroom and
met his teacher. She asked if it would be OK to talk to the class
about his wheelchair and Daniel agreed. Whew! He felt so relieved
when she did. Mrs. Boyle told everyone that wheelchairs are just a
good way of getting around if a person has trouble walking.
"It helps Daniel be independent," she said.
What Does a Wheelchair Do?
Daniel's motorized wheelchair was nothing like the old-fashioned
kind you see in black and white movies - or like the one President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt used. No longer are wheelchairs heavy and
difficult to maneuver. Today's wheelchairs are lighter, faster,
and easier to use. Many use computer technology and offer better
support for a person's back, neck, head, and legs. They also
include safety features such as automatic brakes and anti-tipping
devices.
Power wheelchairs have many advantages for kids who need them.
Electronic controllers can help a kid who uses a wheelchair drive
smoothly, brake easily, and make the wheelchair move with the touch
of a hand or even by puffing on a special straw! Some hand
controllers look like a joystick used to play a video game and are
easy to operate.
Who Needs a Wheelchair?
Kids may need wheelchairs for many different reasons. Some have
had injuries either to their legs or
spine
, which controls leg movement. Others have disabilities due to
muscular dystrophy
or
cerebral palsy
. In some cases, kids have wheelchairs but don't need to use
them all the time. For example, they might be able to walk with the
aid of crutches or a walker sometimes.
What's Life Like?
Kids who use wheelchairs usually fall into two categories: kids
who use wheelchairs for a short time and kids who use wheelchairs
for a long time, or permanently. A kid who uses a wheelchair short
term might be someone who breaks a leg or who has surgery.
Eventually, the kid won't need the wheelchair anymore. Even
though a kid who uses a wheelchair for a short time may feel
frustrated or sad that he or she has to rely on others to get
around. But he or she knows that someday the wheelchair won't
be necessary.
For a kid who depends on a wheelchair for the long term, life is
different. He or she will need to learn how to use the wheelchair
in lots of different situations - from home, to school, to the
beach on vacation. In some cases, it will be hard to use the
wheelchair or it might take a long time. That can be frustrating,
but wheelchairs are getting better all the time. Also comforting is
that researchers continue to look for treatments and cures for the
medical problems that lead to paralysis.
People who use wheelchairs can shop, work, go to school, play,
drive cars - even compete in some special types of sports
competitions. But they also must look for handicapped-accessible
buildings, special ramps, parking places, and environments that are
wheelchair-friendly. Not everyone is as accepting as Daniel's
teacher, and life can be hard for someone who uses a wheelchair. A
person may be teased, feel left out, and get treated differently
than other kids.
The next time you see a kid using a wheelchair, try to be a
friend. Usually, kids in wheelchairs don't need to be pushed
around, but they might need other kinds of help. Opening a door or
clearing the path will be appreciated. But the best help of all is
to be kind and friendly and not to tease or stare. People who use
wheelchairs are the same as everyone else. They just get around on
wheels instead of feet!
Reviewed by:
Michael A. Alexander, MD
Date reviewed: May 2006
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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