[Lucydog]

After Ive had this baby in October, I was thinking I really should go on a wheelchair skills course. With small kids I really do need to be able to get down kerbs safely etc, and at the moment Im rubbish!
I was wondering who has to refer me? Can my OT do it as shes the person I see on a regular basis? I rarely see my Gp or consultant as there isnt anything either of them can do, and of course they only tend to see you as the 'patient'. Or could the wheelchair services person do it? I was thinking James Cook Middlesborough or Glasgow. Although James Cook is nearer, its quicker to get to Glasgow for me.

Theres no hurry but I thought Id get the ball rolling now as it were, I was thinking maybe early next year.

thanks
L

[ems]

I'd phone backup to see when your next closest course is

ask to speak to shaun.

sorry for short answers, i'm codeined up ! Op went fine.

emma.

[russ1]

Quote

I'd phone backup to see when your next closest course is

ask to speak to shaun.

That would have been my advice too

[Kwag_Myers]

Make sure the course has a revolving door.

[Kevin]

I made and taught a wheelchair skills course this past year for my grad masters project. I had a blast doing it! Unfortunately, they are not common by any means... I'd check out the main SCI rehab places in your area. Or, find an OT or PT who really knows their way around a wheelchair to teach you the skills you want. Make sure they can do the skills before you have them teach you (although that's just my opinion...).

When doing my research on this topic (we can't do a project unless it's needed) I found that only the main SCI centers did anything more than teaching a person how to push themselves around the hospital (which is very, very accessible and not like the real world at all).

Anyhow, I hope you find one! I'd be very interest in who and where you end up going to!

[City Girl]

I did some lessons in rehab. Upon my discharge from the SCI rehab where I stayed, my PT referred me to an outpatient program. Note that the waiting list was several months long, however. Further, there were some things I wanted to learn that they didn't teach. I met some people from the Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario (my province) that I just approached and asked if they could just meet me in the community and teach me, i.e. escalators. I have a lot more freedom on my subway system now that I can do escalators as not all stops are accessible (have elevators) but all have escalators. It's a handy skill to learn. Shopping mall elevators seem to be monopolized by people with ginormous multi-baby strollers and I can just wheel over to the escalator. I'm better at curbs now but with uneven sidewalks one always has to be looking immediately down. My city has bike lanes on many streets so I am using them more often now.

[Kwag_Myers]

I did a search on youtube and this is the best one I found:

Wheelchair Training for Child

It's actually an add, but they show a few tricks.

Kevin, you should make a video.

[PsychoSimon]

I did mine with the bckup trust at oswestry hospital. it's free for anyone to go as far as I know as long as you book yourself in.

Well worth attending

[Kevin]

Kwag_Myers, on May 23 2008, 05:42 PM, said:

I did a search on youtube and this is the best one I found:

Wheelchair Training for Child

It's actually an add, but they show a few tricks.

Kevin, you should make a video.

Kwag,

Making a wheelchair skills video was my first idea for my project. I was talked out of it since making a video adds many, long steps to the project that would have made it highly unlikely I would have gotten it done in a semester. With as hard of a time as I've had in school (I may yet have to retake a class...) I'm glad I was talked out of making a video.

I'd still love to make one, but I'm definitely glad I didn't attempt it during school.

Anyhow, I didn't mean to hijack the tread. Back to the real topic.

Kevin