Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

Wheel Chairs For Sale

Wheelchairs

For many people walking is difficult or even impossible due to a serious illness, injury or disability. Wheel Chairs designed to help people who can’t walk by themselves are dated as early as the year 1595,when King Phillip II of Spain was first seen using an aid which resembled the modern wheelchair.

Since these early designs many types of wheelchairs and other mobility devices have been developed to enable people to regain their mobility.

A wheelchair is a mobility device in which a person sits in order to go from one place to another. You will find many methods by which a wheelchair can be driven. Usually, wheelchairs are propelled either manually or automatically.

The first proper wheelchair is considered to have been invented in Germany. In the year 1665, a German watch maker named Stephan Farfler conceived a mobility aid which looked more like a modern handcycle.

In 1783, John Dawson from England developed the first real wheelchair. Dawson’s model was self propelled by pushing the wheels.

The motorized wheelchair was developed in 1918 and the first folding wheelchair in 1933. Since then, continuous developments have been made for an increase in comfort and reliability.

Wheelchairs come in many variations of the standard design and are usually highly customized to best fit the user’s specific needs.

The user can customize the seat size, footrests, seat to floor height, front caster outriggers, backrests, controls and many more features. Some users even have the entire wheelchair custom-built to meet their special needs.

Optional features and accessories are also available. For instance, safety belts, anti-tip bars or recline features can be added to most models. Electric wheelchairs can be operated even by a simple joystick and can have complete freedom of movement.

There are many types of devices which help people with mobility problems lead an better life. Wheelchairs remain the most popular mobility devices in the world today.