Whilst I just want to dive in and write about all of the amazing adventure’s that I’ve been lucky enough to have, I’m reigning myself in and starting with a basic question which is always at the top of my travel list:

What Wheelchair Shall I Take? 

I’m not an expert on chairs so I’m not going to run through all the different types of chairs that there are or the specs etc. (I’ll leave that to the real experts!). Instead, I’m going to list the pro’s and cons of the wheelchairs I’ve used in the past.

1. What I call – The Chair with the BIG Wheels

My first ever wheelchair was bright green. I say it as if it were a fond memory but when my mum and dad reluctantly presented me with the chair, I got all whelmed up. I was upset because it was like looking into the future – this odd, alien contraption was going to become another limb for me (quite literally) – but on the other hand, I knew how hard it was for my parents to come to terms with the turn-around of my life (and their visions of my life) and it really did feel like a gift. A gift of acceptance, of a chance to be able to move around the world.

Anyway, I used this chair for two years, whilst finishing off sixth form and travelling to Europe several times.

Pro’s

• What I like about this style of chair is it offers a level of independence. You don’t have to rely on anyone moving you from place to place, you can use the huge wheels at the back to move yourself about.
• They offer more stability. They tend to have sturdier frames, meaning that you don’t feel anxious when you’re being wheeled over a curb or a bump. The amount of times I grip the arm rests of a chair because I’m terrified that I’m about to be thrown out of the chair! I tend to find that this style offers a little more piece of mind when being wheeled about.
• They are usually more comfortable that a simple style chair (my version of a simple style chair is shown below). Not only are the seats a little wider and more padded, but the large wheels seem to offer more suspension (again, I’m not an expert). I find that when using this style chair, I don’t feel as many lumps and bumps and I’m not shaken about, which is really good when you’re feeling a lot of pain!

Cons: 

• They are BIG and BULKY. And I mean the emphasis. Trying to lug one of these in and out of a boot of your average sized car is an art. The wheels get caught, the back doesn’t go down properly – urgh, nightmare! And that’s just if you travel in a car. Try getting on a plane or a boat with one of these – it has caused more stress for me than any other aspect of travelling with a chair.

2. What I Call – A Simple Style Chair 

My current chair is in this style. Eventually my bright green chair became worn and wobbly and we opted to buy one in this style. Not only are they cheaper (wheelchairs are so very,very expensive!) but at time, they are more convenient, especially when travelling.

Pro’s

• Lightweight. Compared to the other style wheelchair, these baby’s are so lightweight. They can be lifted from boot to floor, from boat deck to boat deck, from plane to gate with ease.
• With small wheels at the back, these are easier to pack away. You don’t have to deal with the huge wheels that keep spinning. This chair just folds neatly and bam! It’s tucked away and out of the way.
• This is a personal POV one but I’m going throw it in there anyway – for the person that’s wheeling you, these can be easier to handle. My husband has always said that he likes this style because he can dart in and out of crowded places without hitting any ankles. I know that the style of chair should come down to the users preference, but I like to take into account my ‘pusher’s’ preference as well. It’s stressful enough having to navigate me around the world, I’m happy to make it easier for him.

Cons: 

• You cannot move yourself about. Without the big wheels to hold onto and direct yourself around, you have to rely on your ‘pusher’ to get you from A to B, even if it’s just a few yards away. The lack of independence, when you are already confined to a chair, is a massive con.
• They aren’t as sturdy and because of this, it can make for an uncomfortable ride sometimes. You can feel every bump, every hole and every surface type and sometimes feel yourself being shaken about, especially if you pick up speed.
• They aren’t as comfortable in general – the seat tend to be thinner, the arm rests higher as you sink down into the thin seat.

Conclusion?

I know that the second style has more cons but I have to admit, I’ve travelled more in this style than the first. I think the pro’s for the smaller wheeled style outweigh the pros of the other style, especially when out in the world. Having said this, we are currently looking into going back to big wheels. I need a new chair but can’t decide what I want and for the money they cost and how long I will have it, it’s a big decision.

Again, it all comes down personal preference. I will never assume to advise you one way or the other because we all have different needs. When it comes to travelling, you need the best thing for you – what is most comfortable, what is the easiest and less stressful. Over time, I’ve found that it’s all trial and error, after all, being in a chair does make things that little more complicated when making your travel plans.

From my point of view, the easiest style to travel with has always been the second style. It may be less comfortable but taking this style abroad has proved to be less stressful for my travel party and I.

But what do you think? Do you think I’m completely wrong and am missing out on something better or easier?