Mobility

[Nettie]

I’ve noticed last few days I’m struggling to sit back in my chair properly, I can’t seem to shuffle myself to the back, but today I thought I’d go in my powerchair for a while seeing as I’d not been in it for a while due to not being able to get out the house. And I couldn’t get in that properly too, in fact my arms & back are hurting now due to the effort 🥺 What’s the next step? Hoisting? Or just adjustments to powerchair? 🤔 Janette x

[Ellie]

Full disclosure, Janette, I loathe my hoist - but boy does it get me seated right back into the wheelchair and sits me up properly. No more slouching on my coccyx either.

If you have good strength in your legs and have a willing helper, you could see if you can push yourself up by bracing your feet on the footrests, whilst the helper gives some assistance by 'lifting' you up under your arms. It's not a full lift, mind you, for the sake of their back and arms!

Love Ellie.

[Bowler]

Janette. We did exactly what Ellie said until the time came for hoisting.

[Deb]

Hi Janette,

Sorry you're hurting now and today has been a struggle! I'm not sure if this is helpful but some days I find transfers and moving harder than others. For me I think it depends on how tired I am .. The transfer to bed at night is always the hardest and moving is better if I've managed a good night's sleep.

I have had the cushion and backrest on my powerchair adjusted several times and I have a few cushions for it. The roho one is the most comfortable but I find it hardest to move on. I like the backrest more upright than the wheelchair specialist recommends but I guess that's a personal choice.

I have an appointment to discuss hoists in a couple of weeks. I don't need one just yet but apparently it can take a while to organise especially if we go for ceiling tracks so I thought I'd get the ball rolling. This is totally out of character as I usually operate in crisis management mode !!

I hope you feel better tomorrow and also that you get a date for your home adaptations. I was thinking about you being indoors today in this warm weather. You must be so frustrated.

Love Debbie x

[Lynne K]

Janet when I sit in my riser chair despite it having been made to measure I need my cushion in exactly the optimum place to support my dodgy back and to shuffle back right up to it. I find that bending right over my knees and then pushing with my arms on the arms of the chair whilst I shuffled my bum backwards. This works for me. Having you tried this? Love Lynne xx

[Nettie]

Full disclosure, Janette, I loathe my hoist - but boy does it get me seated right back into the wheelchair and sits me up properly. No more slouching on my coccyx either.

If you have good strength in your legs and have a willing helper, you could see if you can push yourself up by bracing your feet on the footrests, whilst the helper gives some assistance by 'lifting' you up under your arms. It's not a full lift, mind you, for the sake of their back and arms!

Love Ellie.

I’ve not got much strength in my left leg it just sticks right out in front of me and doesn’t go back down until I’m seated properly and relax, also when I try to put my other foot on footrest to push myself on I feel like it’s going to tip up x

[Nettie]

Janette. We did exactly what Ellie said until the time came for hoisting.

Thanks Phil 😊

[Nettie]

Hi Janette,

Sorry you're hurting now and today has been a struggle! I'm not sure if this is helpful but some days I find transfers and moving harder than others. For me I think it depends on how tired I am .. The transfer to bed at night is always the hardest and moving is better if I've managed a good night's sleep.

I have had the cushion and backrest on my powerchair adjusted several times and I have a few cushions for it. The roho one is the most comfortable but I find it hardest to move on. I like the backrest more upright than the wheelchair specialist recommends but I guess that's a personal choice.

I have an appointment to discuss hoists in a couple of weeks. I don't need one just yet but apparently it can take a while to organise especially if we go for ceiling tracks so I thought I'd get the ball rolling. This is totally out of character as I usually operate in crisis management mode !!

I hope you feel better tomorrow and also that you get a date for your home adaptations. I was thinking about you being indoors today in this warm weather. You must be so frustrated.

Love Debbie x

I’ve sent email to my physio to see what she recommends, yes I was fed up not being able to get out in the sun, I ended up sitting in the doorway because my grandchildren came and the little one wanted to play in the garden 😊

[Nettie]

Janet when I sit in my riser chair despite it having been made to measure I need my cushion in exactly the optimum place to support my dodgy back and to shuffle back right up to it. I find that bending right over my knees and then pushing with my arms on the arms of the chair whilst I shuffled my bum backwards. This works for me. Having you tried this? Love Lynne xx

That’s what I’ve been trying to do but it’s hurting my upper arms 🥺

[slp]

Janette I do that too, the way Ellie suggested for all my chairs. My son or husband just brace my legs or I push up xx Sarah xx

[Nettie]

Thanks Sarah x

[Ellie]

Do you have a hoist Janette?

[Nettie]

No Ellie x

[Ellie]

Honestly if you're struggling and hurting yourself, odious as they are, a hoist sure makes life easier and less stressful. xx

[Nettie]

Thanks Ellie, I’ll speak to physio tomorrow x