Getting back into your wheelchair from the floor

[August West]

For intentional usage:

https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-60730.html




Not too portable, but if you really need to get to the floor and back, it works

This was my original idea. Just wanted to see what others had to say. Thanks.

[Andy]

You'll really enjoy cleaning the copious amount of packing grease too! lol. I was thinking of making a better jacking handle on mine too, but just reaching down to jack works ok, so never changed that.

[pfcs49]

I have a ParaLadder. I got it several years ago from the developer for less than $800, maybe six hundred? We keep it under the bed. Light, well designed, and sturdy; easy to erect.

It sucks when these mom and pop businesses get picked up by health-care retailers.
I've needed it three? times in as many years. Works great although it's still a workout.

Alternately, I've crawled and pushed my chair over to my dumbwaiter-rope pull elevator and lifted me sitting to chair height.

[Crappler]

I'd say scoot your ass over to a higher area, or create one. Maybe get some pillows to transfer on to, and then up to the couch, and then your chair. Of course, the location of your fall will change your options.
Acck! Invest $1100 for a device like that? That's a big hard pass from me,

[August West]

I'd say scoot your ass over to a higher area, or create one. Maybe get some pillows to transfer on to, and then up to the couch, and then your chair. Of course, the location of your fall will change your options.
Acck! Invest $1100 for a device like that? That's a big hard pass from me,

This is what I do presently. I turn my Ride cushion upside down. That gives me a 4" lift off the floor. That's makes it easier to pull myself up onto a sofa chair. Good thing about this method is that I always have the cushion with me. If you rely on pillows, step stools, or any other hardware, then you won't always have it with you when you need it.

Having said that, even with a 4" lift it is still a struggle, especially at the end of a long day. Hence, I am looking for something that gives a little extra height.

By the way, here's a little tip to ease any difficult transfer. Strap your legs together at the knees with a lashing strap (attach it to the chair so it's always available). This prevents the legs from frogging out as you do the transfer. The knees staying together provide a strong fulcrum. As you lean your body over your knees, your butt automatically goes up in the air. That's a huge advantage. Without the strap holding the knees together, your legs may frog out as you lean forward. Hence, you loose the fulcrum effect, which puts significantly more stress on the shoulders. I find the strap can make or break a difficult transfer.

[rlnguy]

I picked up one of these:https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-...ool-62515.html
I still have to lift/crawl onto it, and up to my chair, but not as high, and it is very portable.

[Joe-MN]

As someone else noted, you can use your wheelchair cushion on the floor so you are starting a little higher, and going into the wheelchair seat, which will be a little lower (no cushion). And then go somewhere to transfer out of the chair, put the cushion back in and transfer back into the chair.

Also, I have used one of those storage crate thingy things (put something on top to soften the ridges), a totebox, and a camping cooler when there was no sofa, chair, or stepstool handy.

If you are on the ground outside and desperate, work to lower the chair, ie, dig holes for the wheels.

[baldfatdad]

For intentional usage:

https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-60730.html




Not too portable, but if you really need to get to the floor and back, it works

I went to HF today to check this. When it is all the way down its still 9 inches high. How are you getting on it from the floor?

[Andy]

I went to HF today to check this. When it is all the way down its still 9 inches high. How are you getting on it from the floor?

A heck of a lot easier than some 23" off the floor, lol. Chunk of wheelchair, etc on one arm, the other arm on the table itself, works ok for me.

[CapnGimp]

I am 6'2", it is difficult but I always used a 5 gal bucket on the free hand side and grabbed the chair frame at the seat edge. Removing the cushion until you get seated in the sling makes it a whole lot easier. Then wrestle the cushion under your butt. I worked on a neighbor's vehicle yesterday and placed my powerchair minus the roho beside of my manual chair. I was on a creeper between them. Put my right hand on the manual downtube near the seat and put my left hand on the leg tube near the powerchair seat and raised up carefully one arm at a time and it was easier than any time in 23 years. Be certain to have locks on or get someone to help you practice a handful of times until you are confident. I did the 5 gal bucket trick after going down a ramp and headlong into the ground breaking both my legs behind the knees. No one around, took me 5 minutes to reach the bucket 5 feet away and get it to me, 3 minutes to get in the chair, go to the car and drive to dr to get them fixed.

[Tetracyclone]

Always check youtube. There are a variety of techniques demonstrated from which you can choose what most resembles your own capabilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XPB2jWScIM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOPgupwnpF4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Wdj5Szwac

This last one I consider particularly useful since the girl in the video is NOT a big guy with loads of upper body muscle development. In addition she is using a cheap hospital chair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH22Yt2ZaWs

This last guy, Dan Junet, is complete yet makes it look so easy! Somewhat different technique. Obviously the key is to practice a lot, then yours will look easy too. If you are overweight practice even more and you will lose a few pounds. Also, Dan Junet does not use brakes on his chair. Possible but I am not one to bother learning all required to living without brakes.

[Tetracyclone]

I am 6'2", it is difficult but I always used a 5 gal bucket on the free hand side and grabbed the chair frame at the seat edge. Removing the cushion until you get seated in the sling makes it a whole lot easier. Then wrestle the cushion under your butt. I worked on a neighbor's vehicle yesterday and placed my powerchair minus the roho beside of my manual chair. I was on a creeper between them. Put my right hand on the manual downtube near the seat and put my left hand on the leg tube near the powerchair seat and raised up carefully one arm at a time and it was easier than any time in 23 years. Be certain to have locks on or get someone to help you practice a handful of times until you are confident. I did the 5 gal bucket trick after going down a ramp and headlong into the ground breaking both my legs behind the knees. No one around, took me 5 minutes to reach the bucket 5 feet away and get it to me, 3 minutes to get in the chair, go to the car and drive to dr to get them fixed.

Gaaaah!

[Gearhead]

I have experienced this scenario. A cell phone is a necessity. Keep one on your chair at all times (mine is in fanny pack, hanging from joystick mount). When alone and walking (goofy and slow, very short distance), I put fanny pack strap on my wrist and cane or I hold it with my teeth.
A land line is my preferred 911 source at home. If for some reason you can't speak clearly, they know your exact location instantly. When in bed, a land line phone is on my seat cushion which is covered by a towel. Since bed to chair is where many falls happen, I found this useful many times. Slipped off bed, boom, on the floor. I pulled the towel from seat cushion and the phone came with it. I put towel under my hips while I wait. I keep front door unlocked and tell them which door they can enter.
To avoid this happening again, I put a shower anti slip mat beside my bed, cane leaning on chair, and walker beside chair. Since using this combination I haven't slipped off bed.
After C2-5 Laminectomy I haven't been able to get back in chair by myself. Also my shoulders are toast (both need replacement).

[baldfatdad]

Getting off the floor

https://www.raizer.com/

I couldn't find the thread about getting off the floor, but found this thing. They have distributors in the US. I'll have to see what it costs.

[wes4dbt]

That's awesome. Please post back price. My guess..... $1,500. Let hope it's not ridiculous.