17 replies to this topic

[Rolling Thunder]

I use a manual chair and have the worse time in the rain. I can't find anything that works to keep me dry. I can wear a rain jacket for the top part of me, but my legs and shoes get soaked. I have made myself side protectors to keep the rain from getting my wheels to my pants.

Anyone have any ideas? Not that it rains all that much in CA these days

[Illinois Boy]

Stay inside....... he, he............

You could try cutting a plastic garbage bag to fit over your legs........

Jim

Edited by Illinois Boy, 30 November 2007 - 10:30 PM.

[Avocado Baby]

Hi,

I live in the UK and have the same problem...just it rains loads!!

I have the name of a couple of companies my mum wrote down for me. Simplantex and Sheerlines, although Sheerlines might be the product. I'll look into it and get back to you.

[BillS]

I keep a cheap disposable rain poncho in my backpack. When it rains I usually jus toss it on and keep going. You do have to be careful not to get it tangled in your wheels and my feet still get wet but it works fairly well. Make sure the back of the poncho covers your backrest or else water will run down the back and get your seat wet.

[KarenFerguson]

I wear a jacket with a hood when it rains (one that is usually a nylon material, like a windbreaker) - that way I can put the hood up and stay relatively dry. I know that's kind of a lame suggestion, bit it does keep your head dry. I've tried ponchos but those are so hard to push in and get all dirty (plus they just look horrible!)

Hey! I just noticed you're in Paso! I'm over in Los Osos, we're practically neighbors!

Edited by KarenFerguson, 01 December 2007 - 06:23 AM.

[seeker]

Rolling Thunder, on Nov 30 2007, 07:33 PM, said:

I use a manual chair and have the worse time in the rain. I can't find anything that works to keep me dry. I can wear a rain jacket for the top part of me, but my legs and shoes get soaked. I have made myself side protectors to keep the rain from getting my wheels to my pants.

Anyone have any ideas? Not that it rains all that much in CA these days

I had been thinking of an idea for something like what they cover baby strollers (prams) with, but after looking at the companies Pink Ali suggested, they already have stuff that would be better than what I was thinking, but looking at those, I came up with a brain storm
What if you took one of those cheap ponchos they were talking about above (BillS, I think) and put the hood over your feet, (don't know if it would fit, may have to cut a slit at the neckline to make it bigger) and just tucked it under your cushion? (both the front and back of the poncho) It would keep your legs and feet dry, but not your wheels. Just a thought.

[russ1]

I use a pair of waterproof over trousers if I'm going to be out in the rain, combined with a Goretex jacket keeps the wind and rain out fine.

[Boozyuzi]

If it's raining and I am going out somewhere nearby (like nipping round to my mates or to the pub) then I put a polythene bag over my knees. Roll it up when you get to the where your going and stick it in your pocket - knees nice and dry.

Just make sure it's a nice designer bag and not an Asda bag !!

Edited by Boozyuzi, 03 December 2007 - 01:09 PM.

[silone74]

I just get wet then sit next to the radiator, it always rains in bridlington LOL the sign on the way into the town has a sun in the back ground so when i need sun i go sit under the sign it makes a good shelter LOL



Silone74

Edited by silone74, 03 December 2007 - 02:10 PM.

[dave420atya]

I remember rain. It rained once when I was a child . I'm kidding it did rain once last month. Here in S/E U.S. we are having the worst drought in 100 years . Good for Wheeling bad for farmers. In my two years in the chair I haven't gotten caught in the rain once yet. It rairly rains here anymore. The lake I live on is as low as I have ever seen it. I have an Umbrella , I use it to block the wind .

[Avocado Baby]

Hi,

Does it take long to get one of those ponchos on and off? I work in a school so have to go to and from lessons and I don't want something that would take too much time and effort to get on when I'm just gonna take it off again in 10 minutes!

[Texaswheelz]

I get wet like silicone, I'll wear a jacket maybe, but don't really have anything to fight the water off.

[BillS]

Pink Ali, on Dec 3 2007, 01:38 PM, said:

Hi,

Does it take long to get one of those ponchos on and off? I work in a school so have to go to and from lessons and I don't want something that would take too much time and effort to get on when I'm just gonna take it off again in 10 minutes!

It doesn't take long. You're really only tossing it over your head and putting your arms through the sides. A few tugs here and there to straighten it out and it's all done. Getting it off is even easier. The tricky part is learning how to push your wheelchair without getting the poncho caught in the wheels. Luckily I rarely have to wear a poncho, I just use it when it's REALLY pouring or if I'll be out in the rain for long periods, maybe once or twice a year or a coupel of times a week if I'm visiting Disney World.

[Mikerowaved]

I used a poncho similar to BillS' 2 months ago when I had to do some volunteer work in the rain. I found it worked OK (except for the feet, of course). Fortunately I didn't have to wheel around much because (unlike BillS) I had a bear of a time keeping it out of the wheels whenever I was mobile. I guess it's something you have to learn.

My biggest problem was at the end of the day. I needed to transfer into my van, which was parked in the rain, but I didn't want to get the driver's seat wet by sliding in with the poncho still on and I didn't want to get soaked taking it off in the rain.

Fortunately, I found a friend who held a large umbrella over me while I removed the poncho, got in the van and pulled the wheelchair in the spot behind me.

Edited by Mikerowaved, 05 December 2007 - 05:58 AM.

[nomis]

Funny thing I've encountered time and time again is someone rushing to offer holding an umbrella over me while they get wet! I'm not comfortable with that so suggest they keep themselves dry to which they usually respond sheepishly.

[essexscipilot]

Best to just go out in the nude, that way all your clothes keep dry.

If all you guys (and gals) could try it for me then let me know if it works

P.S if you gals try it dont tell me if it works, just tell me where you will be trying it (time date location that sort of stuff)

[xeena]

I hold an umbrella and batt my eyes at a young man and tell him to push me to shelter. Works every time.

[Rolling Thunder]

Hi, Karen we almost neighbors


Thanks for all the great ideas, it did actually rain here last night and today. But I stayed inside