If you've wrestled with your friend's
heavy wheelchair long enough to get it into the car so that you can
head out on your road trip adventure, you may be wondering if there
is a solution that would make the whole thing easier. Quick –
before you get discouraged – the answer is Yes. There are
lightweight wheelchairs that fold up easily and can be tucked into
the truck or back seat of most cars.
If your friend or relative who is a
potential travel buddy lives their entire life in a wheelchair, it's
likely a heavy-duty unit that is set up to hold up for the long haul.
Motorized wheelchairs are even heavier, and next to impossible in
traveling situations if you don't have a van and a ramp to get the
chair into the vehicle. While everyday wheelchairs are loaded with
features that make your pal's life and ability to navigate around the
house a whole lot easier, they are simply not convenient for an
overnight trip or daytrips to visit cool and unusual places.
Lightweight travel wheelchairs are less
expensive to purchase than those that are durable and designed for
long-term, constant daily use. The travel budget may not stretch far
enough to cover a chair, especially if you only head out on the road
occasionally. If traveling together becomes a regular routine, then
is the time to start shopping. You may also consider the purchase of
a travel wheelchair if you will be taking an elderly relative to
church, on outings and on family visits regularly.
Renting a travel wheelchair is a great
alternative for spontaneous and occasional trips. Your local medical
supply and equipment shop is the best source for rentals that may be
set up by-the-day or on a weekly rental basis. Test the chair out
around the neighborhood before you head out on the road, just to
ensure that it is sturdy, stable and easy to handle.