22 replies to this topic

[jaquie_farmer]

So it's a rainy day here in Georgia and it got me thinking of a few questions.

1) For people who load manual chairs into their cars, any advice? I guess this could be rain or shine. I have a rigid type chair btw.

2) Are there any options for umbrellas?

[Jax]

jaquie_farmer, on Mar 27 2009, 07:55 AM, said:

So it's a rainy day here in Georgia and it got me thinking of a few questions.

1) For people who load manual chairs into their cars, any advice? I guess this could be rain or shine. I have a rigid type chair btw.

2) Are there any options for umbrellas?

Just load it fast. That's all I know to do. I drive an extended cab Ranger, but I have found this works in several cars too. Just set the chair in a different position in the truck than in the car. I take the wheels off first and put them in behind the driver seat. Then I lay the driver seat back and put the chair in behind the passenger seat. I still haven't figured out posting pictures on here, but I will put some up on myspace tonight.


PS-I am working with a friend of mine on designing an umbrella-type device for the door of the vehicle. I will post if we have any success. Also, we are working on a cart for behind the chair. It should be done soon, and it will be a great help in taking out trash.

[Hikkakaru]

Jaquie, since you are kind of in the same boat as me (walking para) i'll tell you what I prefer.

Since I drive a coupe (with limited room in it on top of that) I have been searching for a cheap used aluminum folding chair to go along with the rigid frame tilite zr-a I use normally. The only reason I am searching for a folder is because I am a real nit picky type person when it comes to my cars leather and if I scuff/marr any of my interior i'd kick myself in the ass, haha. Right now I usually load up my rigid frame chair in the rear of the car and very scarily stumble myself to the drivers seat, but with a folder you can just collapse it while sitting in the drivers seat and throw it behind you. Much more conveinent.

-Sam

[Oldsparkie]

jaquie_farmer, on Mar 28 2009, 12:55 AM, said:

So it's a rainy day here in Georgia and it got me thinking of a few questions.

Your lucky Jaquie, dam dry down here in Southern Australia what we wouldn't give for your rain. Mind you wheelin around in the rain is no fun I agree, but it's not a problem I have to face very often.

[KarenFerguson]

When I would load my chair when it rained, I'd bring a towel with me to put on my lap. That way my wheels and chair itself wouldn't get my clothing all dirty. Also I'd put a towel on the passenger seat (where I kept my chair) so it wouldn't get all wet as well.

As far as umbrellas go I've tried it all. Tried carrying them, pushing with one hand ... yeah, that's a bit tough in the rain. Between my knees, and resting on my shoulder ... that was just hard on my neck. Finally I said screw it ... and just went with a hooded jacket or a hat. That's the best solution I've found for the rain. Sure your knees might get a bit wet, but that's life in a chair I suppose.

[purple_faeries]

there are umbrellas and sun parasols that you can get that will clip onto a wheelchair like you do on a pram, the umbrella is specifically for wheelchair users or the person pushing the pram and the parasols i think are mainly for the baby market but you can also buy them for the disabled market. Also if it's marketed for the baby market then it won't be as expensive as for the disabled market!!

I don't know if this is of any use to you at all but I hope you can think of something, actually thinking about it you could get a clip on umbrella or parasol or something and then clip it onto the car door and that would work also i think the towel on the lap and on back seat etc is a very good idea!!

take care

Hannah

Edited by purple_faeries, 29 March 2009 - 09:04 AM.

[greybeard]

purple_faeries, on Mar 29 2009, 09:03 AM, said:

there are umbrellas and sun parasols that you can get that will clip onto a wheelchair like you do on a pram, the umbrella is specifically for wheelchair users or the person pushing the pram and the parasols i think are mainly for the baby market but you can also buy them for the disabled market. Also if it's marketed for the baby market then it won't be as expensive as for the disabled market!!

I don't know if this is of any use to you at all but I hope you can think of something, actually thinking about it you could get a clip on umbrella or parasol or something and then clip it onto the car door and that would work also

take care

Hannah

Don't try it in high winds though. You'll end up paragliding.

Edited by greybeard, 29 March 2009 - 09:07 AM.

[wheelywendy]

purple_faeries, on Mar 29 2009, 09:03 AM, said:

there are umbrellas and sun parasols that you can get that will clip onto a wheelchair like you do on a pram, the umbrella is specifically for wheelchair users or the person pushing the pram and the parasols i think are mainly for the baby market but you can also buy them for the disabled market. Also if it's marketed for the baby market then it won't be as expensive as for the disabled market!!

I don't know if this is of any use to you at all but I hope you can think of something, actually thinking about it you could get a clip on umbrella or parasol or something and then clip it onto the car door and that would work also i think the towel on the lap and on back seat etc is a very good idea!!

take care

Hannah

I have this one that i attatch to just infront of my seat on my wheelchair when its really wet it is also ok in not too strong winds as it is double vented so doesnt tend to turn inside out or trap the wind, i leave the bracket on permenantly and just take the brolly off (theres several diffrent fixings supplied so you just need to work out what suits your chair best), i found it covered me better attatched to front of chair rather than the back, also i found i can tilt the brolly out of my way when i'm wheeling and not using the brolly without it being stuck out, (bracket is on my old chair at moment as had it at dog agility show last weekend so will try and do some photos to show you) meanwhile its off ebay take a look at item no Item number: 260384275229 this is the ebay photo (i got mine for £17.99 and its a strong well made one not flimsy) hope this helps

[greybeard]

Don't you find that the bracket tends to swivel round wherever you put it, and no matter how hard you tighten the nuts?
I tried one on my scooter and found this happened with the slightest breeze.

[airart1]

i used speed, and that was about it, i once had a wife who cared, but decided she couldnt live a full life with someone in a chair, so after that i either waited for the rain to ease up or just tuffed it out, speed is key.........

[wheelywendy]

greybeard, on Mar 29 2009, 11:07 AM, said:

Don't you find that the bracket tends to swivel round wherever you put it, and no matter how hard you tighten the nuts?
I tried one on my scooter and found this happened with the slightest breeze.

there is a little bit of swivel on it but i use that to twist it out of the way when the umberella is down, even with the slight swivel i've not found its moved even in reasonable winds, its very sturdy and i guess it doesnt sway about as much as the ones without the double vents, not been a problem so far and have used it quite a lot, particularly at dog agility shows where it can be very open and very windy, i've not used it on an electric chair or scooter though, i would have thought at those type of speeds the drag would be a problem, theyre really for manual chairs and walkers buggies etc. dont think any brolly would be successful at speed.

[greybeard]

wheelywendy, on Mar 29 2009, 03:15 PM, said:

, i've not used it on an electric chair or scooter though, i would have thought at those type of speeds the drag would be a problem, theyre really for manual chairs and walkers buggies etc. dont think any brolly would be successful at speed.

The only time I tried it was out walking the dogs, and going at no more than walking speed. The brolly I have is double vented, but the wind turned it inside out and the bracket span round the tilller bar I had fixed it to. It is a different make to the one you gave the link for, sold as an accessory for a golf cart. If you really recommend yours, I'll invest in one.

[wheelywendy]

[attachment=58
10:Picture_283.jpg]photos of brolley on my chair


sorry for poor quality photos and the fact theyre side on, cant get them to rotate and stay that way and had to do them on my mobile as did some much better ones outdoors on camera but it wont let me load them on this site as file too big

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[wheelywendy]

greybeard, on Mar 29 2009, 03:35 PM, said:

wheelywendy, on Mar 29 2009, 03:15 PM, said:

, i've not used it on an electric chair or scooter though, i would have thought at those type of speeds the drag would be a problem, theyre really for manual chairs and walkers buggies etc. dont think any brolly would be successful at speed.

The only time I tried it was out walking the dogs, and going at no more than walking speed. The brolly I have is double vented, but the wind turned it inside out and the bracket span round the tilller bar I had fixed it to. It is a different make to the one you gave the link for, sold as an accessory for a golf cart. If you really recommend yours, I'll invest in one.

yes sorry didnt think of going at walikng pace on scooter, i guess it because if i'm in electric chair or scooter i have tendecy to go flat out, i get frustrated at walking speed, plus my dogs love running the short distance to the fields or bridletracks. (the two big ones that is the little one gets a lift on my knee!!)
tell you what i dont have a scooter but if you like i'll attatch it to my 6mph electric chair (the 8mph chair isnt working at moment) and try it out for you during the week if you like, that would give you a better idea of wether it'd work on your scooter, we have some fairly exposed areas so should be reasonable test, (not tried it on electric chairs as tend to put my motorbike all in one waterproofs on if its raining when i walk the dogs so dont need it then, i tend to use it for shopping etc)

Edited by wheelywendy, 29 March 2009 - 04:46 PM.

[BenjaminLucas]

Hey Jaquie, I know exactly what you're talking about.

I just make sure I wear gloves and use my tires to push so my hands don't slip on my handrims. When I transfer to the car, I immediately put my cushion in before anything else.

And, it's going to be wet, so after I get home I transfer out of it for about an hour and let it dry some.

This past week has been horrendous for us!

Edited by BenjaminLucas, 29 March 2009 - 05:08 PM.

[jaquie_farmer]

airart1, on Mar 29 2009, 08:32 AM, said:

i used speed, and that was about it, i once had a wife who cared, but decided she couldnt live a full life with someone in a chair, so after that i either waited for the rain to ease up or just tuffed it out, speed is key.........

im a quad so speed isnt easy for me. pushing is hard enough as it is.

[greybeard]

wheelywendy, on Mar 29 2009, 04:45 PM, said:

greybeard, on Mar 29 2009, 03:35 PM, said:

wheelywendy, on Mar 29 2009, 03:15 PM, said:

, i've not used it on an electric chair or scooter though, i would have thought at those type of speeds the drag would be a problem, theyre really for manual chairs and walkers buggies etc. dont think any brolly would be successful at speed.

The only time I tried it was out walking the dogs, and going at no more than walking speed. The brolly I have is double vented, but the wind turned it inside out and the bracket span round the tilller bar I had fixed it to. It is a different make to the one you gave the link for, sold as an accessory for a golf cart. If you really recommend yours, I'll invest in one.

yes sorry didnt think of going at walikng pace on scooter, i guess it because if i'm in electric chair or scooter i have tendecy to go flat out, i get frustrated at walking speed, plus my dogs love running the short distance to the fields or bridletracks. (the two big ones that is the little one gets a lift on my knee!!)
tell you what i dont have a scooter but if you like i'll attatch it to my 6mph electric chair (the 8mph chair isnt working at moment) and try it out for you during the week if you like, that would give you a better idea of wether it'd work on your scooter, we have some fairly exposed areas so should be reasonable test, (not tried it on electric chairs as tend to put my motorbike all in one waterproofs on if its raining when i walk the dogs so dont need it then, i tend to use it for shopping etc)

Don't worry WW, but thanks anyway. I've gone a head and put a bid in already.

[fredspike]

KarenFerguson, on Mar 28 2009, 08:20 PM, said:

When I would load my chair when it rained, I'd bring a towel with me to put on my lap. That way my wheels and chair itself wouldn't get my clothing all dirty. Also I'd put a towel on the passenger seat (where I kept my chair) so it wouldn't get all wet as well.

As far as umbrellas go I've tried it all. Tried carrying them, pushing with one hand ... yeah, that's a bit tough in the rain. Between my knees, and resting on my shoulder ... that was just hard on my neck. Finally I said screw it ... and just went with a hooded jacket or a hat. That's the best solution I've found for the rain. Sure your knees might get a bit wet, but that's life in a chair I suppose.

Yeah i do pretty much this same thing. I always have a towel in my care and one on the seat, i go to school in erie, pa and live in buffalo ny so winter i'm dealing with the wet all the time. the first thing i do is put my cushion in the car and the back rest down, the rest of the chair really doesnt absorb water so i dont worry about it. I also bought myself i pretty good rain coat and it it is really raining i just put a poncho over my legs and tuck in underneath them, usually keeps them fairly dry.

Basically it is just one of those thing you have to get used to living with.

[edlee]

Wasn't it just last year that you guys in Georgia were having a drought?
ed

[Hawkeye]

Quote

1) For people who load manual chairs into their cars, any advice?

I know this doesn't help now, but next chair, consider a folder. Much faster than a rigid. If you get a 21st century folder like a Quickie Neon/GTX or Kuschall Champion. You can use it like a rigid, even load it like a rigid, but have the speed and ease of loading a folder when wanted/needed.

Quote

2) Are there any options for umbrellas?

I generally keep a hat handy. Doesn't really help much, but at least it keeps the rain off my eye glasses.

Good Luck...

Joe

[gsp23]

I always keep a blanket covering my back seat. My wheels and cushion go behind me and my chair behind the passenger seat. This prevents getting mud, snow, etc on my seat and instead just wash the blanked from time to time. Comming up on 3 yrs and back seat still look new so must be working!

Also, I keep a towel on the floor behind my seat that I can grab to wipe down the door and other interior that gets wet when loading the chair. I also keep a pullover raincoat with a hood in my truck. If I am out and its raining or rain is expected then I wear the coat so my head stays dry and I dont get that wet spray up my forearms. I wear certain gloves with grip as well so my hands dont just slip on the handrims, neoprene gloves are good for this since they are meant to be used in the water for grip. I have a couple pairs of wind pants that are actually water proof as well so if I am going out somewhere and rain is expected and I will likely be outside quite a bit (going to a fair on a day of scattered showers for example) then I will wear my water proof pants and throw my raincoat and gloves in my waterproof backpack. The raincoat I wear is very light weight and rolls up small so not much to travel with.

Or like last year I was at a fair and my niece was with, she just sat on my lap and held the umbrella which was a trade off for the ride

[edlee]

finally,,, a GOOD reason to have kids.
ed

[wheelywendy]

Or like last year I was at a fair and my niece was with, she just sat on my lap and held the umbrella which was a trade off for the ride
[/quote - gsp23]

nice one i like it! child labour!! i'd do the same withy m nephew but prob is i have back seats out for dog cage, so chair has to go on passenger seat when i'm on my own or it just fits between cage and backdoor (sideways) if i have a passenger that can lift it in, maybe i'll make use of my nephew when hes big enought to lift my chair in!! (hes only just turned two so bit of a wait!!) til then i'll just have to get wet!!

Edited by wheelywendy, 31 March 2009 - 09:12 PM.