Most of us, maybe, knew or have heard, what is a wheelchair and footplates. But, what really is the wheelchair and footplates? A wheelchair is usually used by a person that is incapable of walking, due to disability, injury or illness, and footplates are part of a wheelchair, that support the feet of the person using the wheelchair. Why the wheelchair and footplates is are very important to the people who have disabilities, injuries, and illnesses, that are incapable of walking?
What if there is no wheelchair and footplates? What will happen to these people? What are some safety tips on using wheelchair to avoid further injuries or accidents to the person using the wheelchair? II. Wheelchair and Footplate A wheelchair is a wheeled chair on both the right and left side. It is commonly used by a person that is incapable of walking, due to disability, injury, or illness, and footplates are part of a wheelchair, that support the feet of the person using the wheelchair.
(“Wheelchair”, 2007). A wheelchair and footplates has many usages. Most of the disabled persons might consider their wheelchair as their temporary or permanent feet. They used their wheelchair going from one place to another like for getting something in a place, or by simply touring around their neighborhood. Wheelchair is either propelled manually (by pushing the wheels with both hands) or by using automated systems. It also has a break for safety purposes.
The break is either installed automatically or a person can use his both hands to initiate the break. Nowadays, wheelchair is lighter, faster and easier to use. Many companies who make wheelchairs use technology and offer better support from a persons back, neck, head, and legs. Some features of wheelchairs nowadays are automatic brakes and anti-tipping. There are also power wheelchairs. They are used with electronic controllers that make driving and breaking smoothly and easily.
A footplate is a part of a wheelchair and it is usually installed in front of the wheels. (“Footplate”, 2007). It is usually made of metal and it is movable. It can be flipped up or be remained in the same position. The flip up style will stabilize a wheelchair frame and allows the wheelchair to be folded. The flip up style also allows the clearance of a person if he or she plans to stand up. Footplates come in different sizes, colors, and designs, made for the preference of the user. There are footplates’ covers available in the market.
These will protect the footplate and the same time, will make the feet of the person using the wheelchair relaxed and comfortable compare to footplates without a cover. III. What if there is no wheelchair and footplates? If there is no wheelchair and footplates, the disabled person will have difficulty performing his or her daily tasks or activities. He/She will have difficulty going from one place to another. He/She cannot do the things that he/she wanted to do or the things that he/she enjoys doing.