hey guys,

im new to this site, new to a chair and new to everything that a SCI injury brings..........

just wondering what you guys do when you are out of the chair/?? lying on the couch is great but as a newly injured para im so consciencous of those in company staring at my floppy legs.....

So what do you do once your out of your chair?? stretching out on the bed or couch is great but I just feel a lil lazy..........any good suggestions on what to do once out of the chair?? paralysied from waist down - floppy legs and feet.........

another quick q - any body still feel self conscious sitting out of chair when in company of friends???? will this go away??? just feel everybody is staring at me and the chair and how much help I need to go from one to the other??? will this go away??

thanks a mil for all your advise and suggestions - just wana know what you guys get up to out of this lovely piece of mental on wheels.........

thanks in advance

Personally I spend as much time out of my chair as possible, Whenever I am relaxing at either my house or friends houses I generally head straight for the sofa. I feel less self conscious out of my chair than in it, certainly I get less "looks"
Do you have any issues with your upper body considering you are a C5 injury? I understand that transferring on and off a sofa may not be the easiest thing if you do. I have a bit height difference between my chair and my sofa that can make getting off the sofa a bit of an effort at times. I, and also a few others I know, like to sit on the floor. I tend to sit on the floor playing on my nintendo wii or to stretch out, I have hard wood floors though so always sit on my cushion. I like the fact that when I am out of my chair, despite being more restricted mobility wise, I don't look or feel as disabled as when I am in it. There is also the comfort factor to take into consideration!

I do spend most of my time in my chair but when I’m out of it I do become conscious of some looks I get when people visit.
Some people do get confused & think because you’re in a wheelchair how can you get on a sofa etc, & also see them looking at your feet or legs for movement.
It’s still all new to me but I am learning to take no notice of other peoples ignorance.

hi please put me in the picture im either in bed or in my chair how do you manage to loaf about on a sofa ive got no balance the only thing which is floppy is my trunk and uper body i woulnt say i had floppy legs skinny but firm yes

I transfer from chair to sofa & sofa to chair just like from bed to chair & chair to bed

I have the sort of sofa that eats you when you sit in it so it's actually pretty supportive. What I usually do is put some cushions at one end and lie semi supine.
Me sat on the sofa.....
Click to view attachment
Much to my friends amusement I have a habit of falling asleep on the sofa too!
Click to view attachment

Trin,
What's that thing you're holding?
Looks almost human-like with the arms and legs and all but it's just too small.
Is it some sort of pet or mascot?
My lord, they don't have to be fed, do they?

Ah. Leave it to the Brit's to come up with something new and different.
Always ahead of the curve.

Getting out of my chair to sit some place else.
Shit. I've never even though of that.
No wonder my butt hurts all the time.

E

I am usually in my chair. I get out at night or if I'm really tired, but that really is about it.

Almost always get out of my chair to sit and watch tv, it's way more comfortable (don't have to sit up straight) and a lot better place to cuddle up to my girly. Could do with a higher sofa but the 8-10inch height difference between the sofa and my chair keeps my transfers honest :-)

Get out of the w/c and into a handcycle! It's great deviation from the sit, great exercise and just great fun! Most big cities in the States have some extras for use by the general public. Check out parks and recreation depts. Otherwise, get your own. You can get into one for less than 2K US dollars. And your doctor can write the scrip. It is a "durable medical good". Enjoy!

i tend to try and get out my chair as much as possible when i can.theres quiet a big height difference between my chair and the sofa so its not as easy as i would like it to be.once im on the sofa i feel a bit more "normal",like i would look no different to my friends.my sofa isnt very soft so i just have to kinda try and stay in the corner so im a bit more stable.

I can get in and out of my chair,, but choose not to. Being a bit,,,, no, a lot over my ideal weight, I find transfers of greater than a few inches in height are only accomplished with a lot of effort. I would rather not show my shortcomings to the world.

In my home I have a lift chair that I have rebuilt making the arms the same height as my chair. When watching a movie or something that means I won't be moving for several hours, I transfer across the arm and into the seat,, going back I take the same route. I don't do either when someone is over, being seen on the sofa or recliner doesn't bother me, but being seen transfering does.

Don't know if that helps or not, but I think it helped me by typing it.
ed

It's quite good to get out of your chair periodically - for pressure relief and for stretching ..etc. I'm always out of my chair, in fact, I'm out of my chair right now sitting in my office chair.

I think you'll get over the self conscious thing, but if does take time. I know when I am with someone I don't know very well I think - I wonder if they're looking at my skinny legs or wondering about this or that. But really, act like everything is under control and maybe make a joke about your "floppy legs", that sometimes breaks the tension. If your couch is comfy, I say lounge all day if you want!

I used to love to get out of my chair for years after my injury(injury July-1966). Now, however, transferring is becoming more and more difficult, independently. I still transfer out to drive and to use my manual chair at home--but never to lounge round. I kinda of miss it

Hi Wheelie,
Wow, but your posts are beginning to sound a little redundant.-lol

This is your 3rd post regarding being self conscious and out of the chair.-lol, lol

Sorry to get technical, but you are actually a Quadriplegic (tetraplegic, depending on where you reside).

Anyway, you don't have to say your new anymore.-lol

Welcome!!

My husband sometimes sits on the couch with his legs down, just like in the chair. Not sure how your balance is yet. He's been in the chair for 13 years. when he was first injured he sat on the couch with legs up on chair to help eliviate swelling. Also, we have recliners on both ends of our couch so he can put up the recliner to get his legs up. Swelling can be a problem because of the pour circulation. when around company he never really felt weird being in his chair all the time. we always made/make a joke of it. we always tell people don't worry about having an extra chair He brings his own. LOL. Joking helps people feel more at ease. I don't know since I'm not the one in the chair, but I'm going to say that that feeling should go away.

I pretty much agree with everyone else, I get out of my chair as much as possible, my sofa sounds very much like yours Trin, in that its one you sink into. I tend to sit at one end and let myself sink into the sofa. Trin your not the only one who falls asleep on the sofa, much to my husbands amusement since I have been ill i tend to do it quite alot!

As far as the looks go, you'll ignore them later on.

Every now and then I still get one and instead of letting it bother me, I catch their eyes with mine and give them a funny look, usually just a raised eyebrow or something. After that they may still stare, but they're less obvious about it.

It'll take a while to get used to, but eventually you may start to find humor in it or just completely ignore it.

I remember recovering in the hospital and in one of the group talk sessions, I mentioned I was so worried about going home and being so different then before the accident. I thought everyone was going to watch me move (and not move).

I got over it, you will too. I am out and about a lot and I really sometimes do not even think about me being in a chair. Some people stare because they are curious how the chair works, or what happen, I do not think it is rude. Maybe they think you are cute.

I just smile at someone if they are looking, and they smile back, I wave at the kids that do not understand the power chair, and would now love to have one.

If someone ask to help with something, if I want to do it I just thank them and do it myself, orI may just let them open the door, etc. I like it when people are nice.

I do not care if they stare or not. I do not think it is any problem now.

But, I am almost always in my chair, or my bed in mornings where I can do bills, watch TV , do my exercise and do somethings where I will be more comfortable. I can get down to the couch, but getting up is always a longer reach.

I have joked around with some friends that I would put a sign on the back of my chair: Questions $1
or I'd rather be fishing.

I do ride my horses with an adaptive saddle, so I am out of my chair then.

I wish I could get out of my chair to the floor and then back up. I may need to get more upper body strength if possible. But I am a t7 female and I just have not been able to do that.

Cowgirl

I have just the opposite situation as you since I am a C6-C7 incomplete I try and stay out of my chair period. I can last up to seven or eight days before the dysfunction and pain get to the point that I have to use my chair. I get the looks when I have to use it. I still hunt and lots of active stuff and places that I go a wheelchair would be useless most of the time. When I hunt I haul my chair two miles past the end of a dirt road so that when i NEED the support I have it.

I have been hunting three miles from my truck and lost my legs so I always carry enough gear so that I can spend a night away from camp if I have to. Sofar I have been able to lie down under a tree for a few hours and I get my legs back.

Im a C5 quad/tetra. I usually sit in my chair but ocassionaly I get on the couch. I fall asleep almost every time. I like being on the couch/recliner. I wish I was able to transfer myself so I could do it more. People stare but they just dont understand... I never did!

just glanced at your pix .... and you don't know why people stare? HA! You silly girl!

Well thanks, I guess. Im not sure if you are being sarcastic or not.

i'm a new c5 quad and am working so hard to build up my upper body and trunk balance JUST SO I can be able to transfer independently. i'm dying to get on the floor, sofa, recliner by myself. if i remain in my chair all day, my joints get incredibly stiff and my spasticity starts to act up. opposite of floppy and not pleasant.

I don't care so much about what people think, but i do relate to you in terms of needing help. i don't want the help! i would be less self conscious if i could get it done alone. i just hope i manage to learn it soon and that my extremely petite frame manages to bulk up and pull some weight!

I hate having to stay in my wheelchair for very long. My favorite to sprawl out on the floor at home on my stomach and stretch out my poor cramped up muscles so I can wrestle with my puppy.

When I'm in class I'll even transfer to a desk. When I got out to eat with friends I transfer into a booth. At people's houses I transfer where ever...couch, floor. It kinda makes me feel more "normal" I guess? Sometimes I probably look really weird transfering into akward spaces and it used to bother me...but you get used to it over time. People aren't gonna hang around with you for what your legs look like-and if they do I say go find better friends!

Just do whatever makes you comfortable-try different approaches and you'll figure it out. And if you do need help every now and then it's not a bad thing!