6 replies to this topic

[Narishka]

Hi all,
I hope you all won't mind my posting, as I do not have a spinal cord injury. I suffer from chronic pain, in my joints, and mainly in my pelvic area. It is so bad that I have been pretty much housebound for a long time. I've had a couple of surgeries, but no one seems to know exactly why I continue to have so much pain. It may be due to lyme disease, as I recently tested positive for it, and it's in its late stages. Lyme disease can attack anywhere in the body, and it's hard to find any local doctors that are informed about it/willing to treat it. (if you're curious, there's a documentary called 'Under Our Skin' that streams on Netflix and is available on hulu.com -- just PLEASE, be careful about avoiding deer ticks -- I never realized how much havoc these tiny suckers can cause.)

Anyhow, I recently connected with a new friend who has lyme as well, and she got a wheelchair to help her with long treks..she said it helps a lot, although she gets comments and weird looks since she is not paralyzed. I know that I will get those as well, but if this is a tool that can get me out and interacting with my family again, it'll be worth it. I'll just be using the chair for pain management, and so that I can participate in family walks, etc. I'm so tired of having to say no to any outings that include a lot of walking because I know I'll poop out and then pay for it with increased pain for several days (I tried recently and was knocked out for the entire week.)

Anyway, my question is in regard to wheelchair gloves. I'm getting the chair so that I can go on long trips, and I want to propel myself as much as possible (it may be tiring, but somehow it helps just to keep the pelvic area as immobile as possible, and still I want to get some exercise.) Does anyone have a good recommendation for a glove that has good grip..is not bulky, lets the hands breathe, etc? I can't spend much, so I'm looking for something as affordable as possible.

Thanks!
Tracy

[D. Smith]

Tracy,

These were some sailing gloves that I used: http://www.google.co...1t:429,r:4,s:22

They lasted a little under a year with CONSTANT use before they really showed any signs of wear and tear. I still wear them occassionally however they are a little more worn. Hope this helps some.

[Priscilla]

I was given mesh wheelchair gloves when I was in rehab. Do not know where they got them, but they were very light, breathable, and had a grip on the palm side. They have a Velcro strap around the wrist and only went halfway up the fingers. Looked online to find something similar and found this:

http://www.colonialm...lack-P-847.html

They seem reasonably priced and similar to what I had. Hope this helps!

[ebeth]

In the past I've used cycling gloves. They have padded palms, mesh on the top of the hand. You can get them at any sporting goods store or in the sports section of a department store.

[Narishka]

Thanks you guys! I searched and searched online, and finally ordered these http://www.sportaid....-mesh-back.html

They look a lot like what you shared, Priscilla. It's going to be hot here very soon, so I like that they look pretty breathable, and the price isn't bad. (some of the gloves out there are really pricey)
I appreciate you guys accepting me and giving me advice. Thanks!

Tracy

Wow, that pair you found is even cheaper Priscilla, I should have waited.. the shipping on the pair I bought was just as much as the price, grrrrrrrrrrr oh well, thanks all.

[megatrig]

Welcome to the world of "disbilty/wheelchair" prices Tracy!! LOL

Anything labeled "for wheelchairs", etc is always stupidly expensive!!

I used to use gloves like that. Available anywhere in cycling/bike shops or ebay for very little. Padded palms so they take some hammering too.

I hope you don't get Weirds" looks for being in a wheelchair. Anyway after a while you don't really notice.

Also people may be looking thinking "cool shoes, top, hair, etc, etc!!

[Priscilla]

Thanks you guys! I searched and searched online, and finally ordered these http://www.sportaid....-mesh-back.html

They look a lot like what you shared, Priscilla. It's going to be hot here very soon, so I like that they look pretty breathable, and the price isn't bad. (some of the gloves out there are really pricey)
I appreciate you guys accepting me and giving me advice. Thanks!

Tracy

Wow, that pair you found is even cheaper Priscilla, I should have waited.. the shipping on the pair I bought was just as much as the price, grrrrrrrrrrr oh well, thanks all.

That is the reason I was worried about the cheap price. I used to lift weights before my car accident and the cheaper the gloves I bought the quicker they would wear out. I very rarely use a wheelchair anymore (just a walker or cane) so have not really put these gloves to the test so I am hoping the ones I referred you to would hold up. Good luck with the gloves you ordered.