Many Quads out there who have limited strength in their arms are usually worried of losing control of their manual wheelchair when going down a steep slope.

As Quads have limited hand function, it is not always easy for them to get sufficient grip on their wheel rims or tires to stop their chair quickly and safely in an emergency. Likewise, controlled descent of steep slopes is always tricky.

The following trick/tip, helps someone with limited hand function safely descend a steep slope, or stop their chair quickly in an emergency.

1. Before descending the slope, hook one arm around the pushing handle on the back of your chair to stop you from being pushed forwards out of your wheelchair.

2. Use your other hand to push your brake, the harder you push, the more your wheelchair will turn towards the side you are applying the brake.

3. To compensate the turning effect above, with your other arm still hooked around your push handle, lower your hand onto your tyre/wheel rims, and apply pressure. This will correct your travel direction.

4. Applying equal pressure on your tyre and brake simutaneously will cause you to come to a standstill.

With practice, you can use this method to steer your wheelchair at speed in a controlled manner down hills and ramps.

Make sure you wear gloves when braking with your hand on the wheel rims or tyres, as friction burns can occure.

See the photograph for guidance, if there are any questions, feel free to ask away!

Regards

Simon.

Thanks for the idea, one question, the gloves shown in the picture where do you get them? I've been looking for some good gloves for ages, my email is Christinemeto1@yahoo.com

Hi Christine,

Well I get mine made for me, but the originals were made by the Occupational Therapy department at my spinal unit in Sheffield.

If you know someone with a sewing machine, I'll get the sewing pattern and post the sewing directions here for you. It'll take a couple of days for me to sort it out though.

Even if you don't use the pattern, someone else may.

Regards

Simon

I have now added a page with instructions and a pattern on how to make these gloves. Go to:

http://www.apparelyzed.com/quadriplegic_gloves.html

Regards

Simon.

I used to use the brake handle technique but since I wore a chest strap I used both hands on the brake handles directly.

Okay, you have given us a tip about getting down the slope, what about a tip about going up the slope?



Get an electric wheelchair

I also use the brake handles to slow down on down hills. For uphills I use the grade aides. I am very slow going uphill but get up more of the than I used to be able to get up.

Topic bumped for Doug.

Simon

Topic read and now understood by Doug.

Thanks Simon,

Doug

cool!

How long did it take to master? Or was it more trial and error?

Gonna try..