An odd request, probably...

[sami]

... but a few days ago, I broke my leg in three places. Unstable ankle fracture means I can't put any weight on it for months; chronic shoulder injury means I can't use crutches, either, so moving around is a struggle and I'm going to be in a wheelchair if I want to leave the house before April.

So what I want to ask is: Does anyone have any warnings or advice on things I might not have thought of about living with a wheelchair? After all the accessibility fails I've read of and seen, I'm a little nervous about what I might run into.

Comments

[staranise]

It's a tiny thing, but: gloves are a big plus, especially if it's winter where you are. Bicycle or motorcycle gloves especially. It's really easy for your hands to get dirty if you're pushing through any kind of muck.

A lot of wheelchair places will let you try a wheelchair out first. Talk it over with an expert; if you've got a chronically injured shoulder, you may not be able to push yourself everywhere. Wheelchairs best set up to be pushed are different than ones where people propel themselves with their feet. Some kinds of walkers might also be a good idea.

[sami]

It's summer here. I'll likely be going for one set up for pushing - given that I was rarely able to go out alone *before* my injury, for mental health reasons, my loving housemates have assured me that I'm definitely not going out alone with a shattered ankle.

I do have a walker already. The hospital sent me home with a walker, a shower chair, and a toilet chair to render my house acceptably accessible.

[staranise]

Sounds like you've got some good things going for you already. Good luck!