[pistol_pete]

Not sure where to put this, so here it be.

O.K I did the right thing before asking and did a search for anything relating to this mother of all transfers and I couldn't find much.

How the hell do you manage the floor to chair?
Do you need the strength of Hercules and the faith of Abraham?
How many of you out there can do this?

I haven't been swimming in the river or down the beach or anywhere for that matter for all summer. Mainly because the act of getting back up onto
the chair is a pain in the arse. My wife has to help me which stresses her out and puts her at risk of injury.
I miss rolling around on the floor. If I could get on the ground knowing I was able to get back up I would be able to do so much more.

I always thought I was a pretty strong, confident guy. But when it comes to the floor to chair I'm a big weakling wussy pussy boy.
I was shown in rehab. Those AB PT's made it look really easy, which I'm sure it is when you have Abdominal and leg muscle control.

Any tips from all you wise, incredibly knowledgable people out there?

I miss rolling around on the grass and getting muddy wet down at the river.

[MrBump]

i use something in between the floor n chair and do 2 transfers...............

[RacingAxe]

Hey pistol_pete, I can do a floor to chair but it sure isn't pretty. I haven't put in enough time practicing I suppose. There are some videos out there of people that have the technique perfected. Take a look and see if you can adapt some of what they are doing to help you. Although not really a floor to chair transfer, one of the tricks I use is find some stairs, get to where I am sitting on the second step, and transfer from there to the chair.

[JesseB]

Yeah Pete, it's tough. I can only do it if I have something else to push up with. Like the edge of a bottom of a couch. Anything will work, as long as its sturdy. Help's alot.

In inpatient rehab the PT's tried to show me a couple other way's. like, sitting infront of your chair and grabbing onto the frame and pushing yourself up.
Buuut, for me its really uncomfertable, I cant bend my arms that far back and push up at the same time. but you could give it a shot.

Or climbing into you're chair from the frontways, then twisting yourself to sit in. I don't really reccomend trying that one though...

Also there's quite a few videos on youtube about transfering. Some are helpfull. Some, not so much.

[guido]

Hi Pete

I worried about this one when I got out of hospital, and it wasn't until I was chatting to this french girl a lot on the phone that I really liked, and we were arranging for her to come over, and she asked if we'd be able to lie on the grass, talking together, and so I said sure (then realised I had to learn it fast!).

I see you're a higher injury than me, and I can't say how that makes a difference, but it's all in the technique - though there are a couple of things that people can do (without lifting) to make it easier.

1. You want to place the chair next to / just behind you (got to be right as you need a fluid movement and can't move the chair mid flow)
2. Place feet together and in front of the foot plates.
3. Get your bum up close to them. (At this point, someone can hold your feet & ankles to keep them solid and stop legs flopping)
4. Down side hand on floor (I do it on knuckles as it strengthens my wrists and gives me a little extra height)
5. Up side hand on chair (I grab the far side bend in frame in front of seat)
6. Then it's technique & balance: head forward enough and low enough to lift bum up and back in air high enough to get it on seat.
7. Then push yourself up and re-adjust onto seat.

Here's a vid I found, and he makes it look waaaaaaaay easier than I do! And his technique is slightly different to mine.

[Wheelsonfire]

It's all shoulders and triceps.( If your a skinny dude like the bloke in the you tube post then a gust of wind will get you up and down)

It's no bother when the strength is there.

To build and get you ready, sit on the floor, put a kitchen chair either side of you, one hand on each and do dips. great exercise using ones own body weight.

To start do 3 sets of 10,and then work on 5 sets to failure, in no length of time floor to chair is easier.

I find using the straight leg, ass to edge of cushion and hands on forks, and dip down to floor, on the way back up, grab either side of forks and use dip like motion to get back up.

This post has been edited by Wheelsonfire: 27 January 2010 - 12:46 PM

[LuckyinKentucky]

i do them like guido explained and quite similar to the dude in the vid... i do keep my legs/knees together though.

[Wheelsonfire]

LuckyinKentucky, on Jan 27 2010, 01:19 PM, said:

i do them like guido explained and quite similar to the dude in the vid... i do keep my legs/knees together though.

With Pete's level the abs don't come into play for balance, L's and low T's have retained abs which help a great deal.

[Avocado Baby]

I can't do it either!!

[pistol_pete]

With Pete's level the abs don't come into play for balance, L's and low T's have retained abs which help a great deal.

I was just thinking that myself Wheels. It would be a whole lot easier if ab's were in play.
The technique Guido described and the one in the video is the way I was instructed in rehab.
I guess my triceps aren't as strong as I thought. When I lean forward to get my arse in the air my head hits the dirt.
Went to a gym today to scope out the machines and meet a physiologist who is setting up a program for me.
So I'll be working the tri's and shoulders big time.
I'm gonna nail this sucker if it's the last thing I do dagnabit!!!!! GRRRRRR!!!!!!

Thanks for the tips and advices good people.

[Wheelsonfire]

Quote

I was just thinking that myself Wheels. It would be a whole lot easier if ab's were in play.
The technique Guido described and the one in the video is the way I was instructed in rehab.
I guess my triceps aren't as strong as I thought. When I lean forward to get my arse in the air my head hits the dirt.
Went to a gym today to scope out the machines and meet a physiologist who is setting up a program for me.
So I'll be working the tri's and shoulders big time.
I'm gonna nail this sucker if it's the last thing I do dagnabit!!!!! GRRRRRR!!!!!!

Thanks for the tips and advices good people.

For shoulders
Front lateral raise
Rear lateral raise
Side lateral raise
military press
Shrugs

tri's
Tricep pushdowns
French press
One arm extensions


Do 3 sets, to build strength do 6-10 reps and working towards 4 sets of 10 using heavy weight.

Regards

[McTavish]

The only way I can get onto the floor is if I fall out of my chair. Will have to practice, the guy in the video makes it look so simple.

[Texaswheelz]

Hmm I know the new camera my wife just got will shoot video, but no idea how the quality of it is, I'll see if I can make a video. To do it the way the guy in the video above did it, you do need rather long arms.

[silone74]

I could never do this transfer and it was nothing to do with strength as I am very strong in my arms and shoulders it is down to something that my physio puts down to short arm syndrome LOL I just have short arms and when my arm is at full extenstion I am only slighty too low to get my butt on the chair I have a long back and long legs but according to the physio my arms are not in proportion so making that transfer not doable for me and believe me I tried to do it day in day out when in rehab I can do ever other transfer they taught me it was floor to chair that was the only one that I could never do.


Si

This post has been edited by silone74: 27 January 2010 - 04:25 PM

[Survivor35]

Pete,

This transfer is a huge pain in the ass. As a T6 female, my PT's didn't have a lot of hope... of course, the idiots didn't know how to even show me to do it... I didn't go to the best outpatient rehab, the choices are limited in my area.

I don't scoot up backwards, I have to get myself into a tall kneeling position in front of my chair, with my knees against my footplate... I then place my hands on my wheels and lift up, once my upper body is over my seat and the back of the chair, I place my left on my right wheel and rotate my body around, getting my rear end on the edge of the seat and scoot back... this took months of practice. As far as getting onto the floor from my chair, I've never tried, I always transfer onto the couch, scoot to the edge, roll over and slide so my belly is on the couch and then down on my knees, turning again so I land on my butt. You have to be really careful, your legs can get twisted while doing this. I think practice is the biggest key, though. I have heard that everyone has their own little method, depending on their chair and their own strength levels.

[knightrider]

Its all about technique, the way i do it is:
- Put the front of the chair facing the side of me
-Bring my knees up to my stomach and my feet are as close to my ass as possible (will help you lift higher)
-I then put my hand on the frame and left hand in a fist next to my ass
-Lean fowards and push up with my left hand as high as i can then i let my right arm take over for the rest
-then its just swing onto the chair, put both hands on the frame and then get myself comfy....Job done!

I can still do it even though the front of my chair is higher now since fitting Frogs legs suspension the other month, I thought i wouldnt be able to, so the other night i thought i'd give it a go, and well i can. It's all about bringing your knees up as much as you can and then leaning forwards, if you done lean forwards you won't get the height, simple as.

[silone74]

I tried every version going had the experiance of 3 physios at one point all with a new approach to doing it and they just never worked for me when I have been out of the chair now I need to use something to transfer onto that is lower than the chair then I can just hop over to the chair and I am good at all of the other transfers I can get in the bath and out again but the floor to chair just does me in.

Si

[qbounce]

I get up on a 2 inch cushion first. Then put my feet together like the guy in the video. Then push myself up to a bench first (one hand on bench, the other on chair), and finally my chair. Not pretty, but it works. The first time it felt like I'd climbed Mt. Rushmore! haha

btw, I have limited triceps and absolutely no core strength what-so-ever. So, if you can't do it in one fell swoop, you compromise to doing something else that works for you.

[Wheelsonfire]

qbounce, on Jan 27 2010, 08:46 PM, said:

I get up on a 2 inch cushion first. Then put my feet together like the guy in the video. Then push myself up to a bench first (one hand on bench, the other on chair), and finally my chair. Not pretty, but it works. The first time it felt like I'd climbed Mt. Rushmore! haha

btw, I have limited triceps and absolutely no core strength what-so-ever. So, if you can't do it in one fell swoop, you compromise to doing something else that works for you.

That's a first for me, fair deuce, I didn't think it would be possible for a C injury to do that, knowing that tri's were weak.
You must have really put your time in to master that one.
With most pushing/lifting and pressing the tri's are a major factor.

Again, I too learn something new each day.

Regards
John

[qbounce]

Wheelsonfire, on Jan 27 2010, 03:09 PM, said:

That's a first for me, fair deuce, I didn't think it would be possible for a C injury to do that, knowing that tri's were weak.
You must have really put your time in to master that one.
With most pushing/lifting and pressing the tri's are a major factor.

Again, I too learn something new each day.

Regards
John

Actually John,
I had fallen, and I was alone and a little paniced the first time I did this. So, maybe the rush in adrenalin didn't hurt, either. haha

But, I've met other C6/7 quads with either similar abilities, or more strength than myself. At this level it's nothing special.

Cheers

[E-DOG]

First, I always make sure I have my fone with me.
Second, if I end up on the floor, I call the fire dept., have 'em send out 3 or 4 big, strong guys and have 'em pick me up and put me back in the chair.
Gotta keep it simple.

E

[gordonr]

Nobody has mentionned the brute strength method.

Sit on the footrests, with your back not quite touching the edge of your seat.

Legs straight out in front.

Reach up behind you, one hand on the edge of the seat, and one hand on the frame as it angles down to your footrest.

Then just haul yourself straight up backwards onto the seat.

This method gives you no height advantage like kneeling or swinging up over your bent legs. But if you have the blunt strength, it works fine.

I used to do this, but am now reduced to the baby steps method described by q-bounce.

When I was still doing it, I found great advantage in putting my hand on something a little higher than the footrest frame. For instance, the bumper of a parked car. And yes, I did work this out while I was lying in the street. Combining this with the Q-insight, you can use the chair and car bumper to get on the curb, and then (with the chair still in the street and hence lower) on up into the chair. This is an invaluable skill in the wee small hours, when you are drunk enough to botch your curb climbing moves and still to proud to start howling for help.

And you can also ask a friend (one that you like to see on all fours), assume that position beside you, and then put your hand up on her (or his) ass and the height is just right. Alternatively (once again with a partner, but not one who is so well trained) get the person to put their hands together with the fingers interlaced. You then take your grip on that with one hand, and the seat of the chair with the other. This will be pretty easy if you have some strength because your friend can help haul you up if things get sticky.

I remember doing my bowel routine in hotels where I could not get thorugh the bathroom door. I transferred to the floor and pulled myself to the toilet (with my wife helping with foot drag) and got on the toilet, one hand on the seat, and one hand in my wife's hands as described.

wow. amazing what normal looked like then. I used to just go to places with no idea at all of how I was to function. but it always worked out.

Today, I shit on the hotel bed using a little seat contraption of my own device, where the shit goes in a plastic bag which I throw out the next day. And I do it on the bed because that way I dont have to put legs on my toilet seat. Very minimal. Very effective. All of my personal care items, including the toilet seat/bench are in one carry-on size bag. Of course they always ask me to open it after it goes through x-ray. And I am always proud to explain in detail what it is and how I use it.

OK. The toilet seat stuff is off topic. But it works. Specifications on request.

(And if you have ever had your luggage lost, as I have, you will realize just how comforting it is to know that everything you need for your bowel routine is with you in the cabin of the plane, and NOT checked into luggage limbo)

Best Regards,

Gordon

This post has been edited by gordonr: 28 January 2010 - 02:45 AM

[pistol_pete]

Thanks everyone. It's good to know there is lots of people who struggle with this.
It truly is the holy grail of transfers I think. If I get it right I will feel like a very clever little cripple.

I wish I had a video camera to capture my initial attempts, you'll piss yourself laughing.

Off to the gym now.

[Tetracyclone]

pistol_pete, on Jan 27 2010, 09:52 PM, said:

Thanks everyone. It's good to know there is lots of people who struggle with this.
It truly is the holy grail of transfers I think. If I get it right I will feel like a very clever little cripple.

I wish I had a video camera to capture my initial attempts, you'll piss yourself laughing.

Off to the gym now.

SOMEONE AT THE GYM WILL HAVE A VIDEO PHONE. GET THE VIDS FOR US!!! I 'll wear diapers.

[guido]

pistol_pete, on Jan 28 2010, 02:52 AM, said:

Thanks everyone. It's good to know there is lots of people who struggle with this.
It truly is the holy grail of transfers I think. If I get it right I will feel like a very clever little cripple.

I wish I had a video camera to capture my initial attempts, you'll piss yourself laughing.

Off to the gym now.

Gotta say, this thread has made me laugh out loud. Best way to do a floor to chair is have no alternative. You'll manage somehow...

[Ches]

guido, on Jan 28 2010, 12:26 PM, said:

Gotta say, this thread has made me laugh out loud. Best way to do a floor to chair is have no alternative. You'll manage somehow...[/color]

Agreed.. I have no skills, so to speak, but I always manage to figure it out when needed. Will power is amazing.

[steviek]

I struggle with this, I'm a T5/6, I do believe that abs count for a hell of a lot when it comes to floor to chair transfers.

[knightrider]

steviek, on Jan 28 2010, 07:56 PM, said:

I struggle with this, I'm a T5/6, I do believe that abs count for a hell of a lot when it comes to floor to chair transfers.

You don't need abs at all, its all shoulders and triceps and knowing how. I'm T6 aswell but learnt the tricks back in rehab, and i know a C7 who can do it too. If you struggle why don't you try sitting on your cushion which will add an inch or two then once transferred find somewhere to transfer to and put the cushion back on. My chair with my thick cushion is 24 inches high and can still do it.

[Wheelsonfire]

gordonr, on Jan 28 2010, 01:51 AM, said:

Nobody has mentionned the brute strength method.

Sit on the footrests, with your back not quite touching the edge of your seat.

Legs straight out in front.

Reach up behind you, one hand on the edge of the seat, and one hand on the frame as it angles down to your footrest.

Then just haul yourself straight up backwards onto the seat.

This method gives you no height advantage like kneeling or swinging up over your bent legs. But if you have the blunt strength, it works fine.

I used to do this, but am now reduced to the baby steps method described by q-bounce.

When I was still doing it, I found great advantage in putting my hand on something a little higher than the footrest frame. For instance, the bumper of a parked car. And yes, I did work this out while I was lying in the street. Combining this with the Q-insight, you can use the chair and car bumper to get on the curb, and then (with the chair still in the street and hence lower) on up into the chair. This is an invaluable skill in the wee small hours, when you are drunk enough to botch your curb climbing moves and still to proud to start howling for help.

And you can also ask a friend (one that you like to see on all fours), assume that position beside you, and then put your hand up on her (or his) ass and the height is just right. Alternatively (once again with a partner, but not one who is so well trained) get the person to put their hands together with the fingers interlaced. You then take your grip on that with one hand, and the seat of the chair with the other. This will be pretty easy if you have some strength because your friend can help haul you up if things get sticky.

I remember doing my bowel routine in hotels where I could not get thorugh the bathroom door. I transferred to the floor and pulled myself to the toilet (with my wife helping with foot drag) and got on the toilet, one hand on the seat, and one hand in my wife's hands as described.

wow. amazing what normal looked like then. I used to just go to places with no idea at all of how I was to function. but it always worked out.

Today, I shit on the hotel bed using a little seat contraption of my own device, where the shit goes in a plastic bag which I throw out the next day. And I do it on the bed because that way I dont have to put legs on my toilet seat. Very minimal. Very effective. All of my personal care items, including the toilet seat/bench are in one carry-on size bag. Of course they always ask me to open it after it goes through x-ray. And I am always proud to explain in detail what it is and how I use it.

OK. The toilet seat stuff is off topic. But it works. Specifications on request.

(And if you have ever had your luggage lost, as I have, you will realize just how comforting it is to know that everything you need for your bowel routine is with you in the cabin of the plane, and NOT checked into luggage limbo)

Best Regards,

Gordon

Hi Gordon

I too prefer the brute strength approach, the endorphins that's released can be therapeutic.

I'd be interested in getting further info on the setup you created for "The evacuation" of the upper and lower bowel.
Or as you put it "shit holder"

Regards

John

[rue2you]

I can do it. Actually, I did it for my therapist today and I have practiced and practiced. He said he was SO impressed. Before when he was trying to teach me, I could not do it without a stool to go up to part of the way. Now I can go all the way from the floor up. I also pull the chair behind me kind of crooked and pull my knees up to my chest with my feet close to my bottom. Then, I reach up behind me and grab the chair, tilt my head forward as push with my arms and it gets my rear onto the edge of my seat. Then, I just sort of wiggle my way back until I can get enough balance to reach down and pull my feet up onto the footplate. Then, I readjust myself into my seat. Wow, it sounds complicated when you try to put it all into words but I can do it pretty smoothly. Having said all that, I have abs.

Edit: This is important to me so that I can get into the floor and play with my kids whenever and wherever I want to! They love it when I am in the floor with them so I learned this for their sake!

This post has been edited by rue2you: 30 January 2010 - 02:13 AM