[Avocado Baby]

Hello!

I got a new Nissan Micra a few months ago and I'm finding it quite difficult to get into it and then get my wheelchair in. I don't have any adaptions or anything cos I've always been able to manage so far (I have very strong arms!) Bsically, I lift myself up from my chair with my arms and lift myself over, then I lean over to dismantle my chair, put the wheels in the well of the passenger's side and then put the frame of my chair in the passenger's seat.

I got taught how to do this by the people who sell wheelchair equipment, they're all in wheelchairs and really helpful. However, my new car is much higher and the sill is wider than on the Renault Clio I had before so it's more difficult as it takes more strength to get in and then pull the wheelchair up to that height.

I've nver had any adaptions to help me do this in the past, partly because I didn't want to have to dismantle my car but mainly beacuse I don't want to have to rely on mechanics, which could break down and then I'd be in a bit of a mess! However, my current method is getting more and more difficult with my back getting worse and the increasing pain. It's putting way too much strain on my back, neck and shoulders and I have been told by Physios and OT's that I really shouldn't be doing it as it will probably cause alot of long term damage.

I'm pretty independent at the moment and doing my best not to lose it. I know this is quite a tricky one and I'm going to have to make some compromise with it, but has anyone got any suggestions on how I can do this without putting so much strain on my back, neck and shoulders?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Ali

[Lee]

A friend whos tetra uses a board. You can get proper sliding boards.

cheers lee

[LadyPilot]

Not quite sure how to help here but this is how I do it-

I use a rigid frame w/chair with a seat height of 20". My car seat (Mazda 3 door hatchback) is approx 17-18" high. The door sill is approx 13" high and the distance between my w/chair seat and the car seat is approx 13".
I get in the car the passenger side, putting my feet in the car first. I balance on the very edge of the chair with my elbow on the car door frame. Then I lean forward with my other hand on the car seat and throw myself over onto the seat. I take the wheels off the chair and put them on the back seat. Then transfer into the driving seat and lean over and pull the chair onto the passenger seat. To get out of the car is pretty much a reversal of getting in. A folding w/chair is very much easier to get in and out of the car!!

I have never used a transfer board so wouldn't know how useful they are in this case.

[knightrider]

What i do if im getting in drivers side is put both feet in first then with my left hand i put on the seat and with my right i put it on the windscreen and lift using the righthand and swing in. Make sure the seat is right back. then put my chair in the back of the car.

[Dancingdolphin]

i slide over on a board...then put both wheels behind the passenger seat , lower my chair back and lift the chair across onto the passenger seat....it's titanium so not too heavy...

[Avocado Baby]

Thanks guys.

I have tried a sliding board but it ends up sliding out from underneath me so I'm not sure that's a good idea. I think it's the leaning over and down to reach my chair that I have diffiulties with as it was much easier in my old car!!