Conditions that lead to wheelchair usage
The conditions that most commonly lead to wheelchair usage include paralysis of the lower half of the body as a primary symptom. Paralysis is the loss of ability to move, may be temporary or permanent, and can affect anywhere in the body. Paralysis results from damage to the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, or the muscles themselves.
Paralysis of the central nervous system can be spastic paralysis, affecting the muscles, or it can affect the spinal column, in which case it affects the region of the body below the injury. An injury to the spinal column in the neck can result in quadriplegia, or the paralysis of all four limbs. Any injury below the neck most likely produces paraplegia, or paralysis of only the legs. Less severe spinal cord damage can result in spastic paralysis. Spastic paralysis is also due to central nervous system damage, and can range from very slight loss of muscle control, to more severe cases. Some cases of spastic paralysis may require wheelchair usage, but most would be classified as paraplegia.
In infants paralysis can be caused by brain damage during the birthing process, and among children and young adults the leading causes of paralysis are automobile and sports accidents. Meningitis, muscular slerosis, and other diseases also cause paralysis in young adults, but in older people strokes and tumors most commonly cause paralysis. Muscular dystrophy is the top ranking cause of muscle paralysis, affecting skeletal muscles which seriously affects movement and posture. Muscular dystrophy, however, unlike many other forms of paralysis, is genetic. Another birth defect, Cerebral palsy, can affect movement, and cause wheelchair dependancy.
All of these conditions, in addition to accidents and other extraneous events can cause paralysis which could leave the patient in a wheelchair.
A patient in a wheelchair may have some leg control, but not sufficient for extended walking, or a patient may have little or no bodily control remaining. The distinct levels are paraplegia, quadriplegia, and brain stem, or brain damaged conditions. For someone with paraplegia, a standard wheelchair would most likely be enough for mobility, however a patient with quadriplegia or a more severe condition would require a moterized wheelchair with either a joystick control, or a more rare and sophisticated control, head movement control.
Many Accomodations are made for the users wheelchairs. In public buildings it is now required by the American with disabilities act to make all buildings accessible to people with disablities. In houses and buildings doors are made wider specially for access to wheelchairs. Bathroom stalls are made wider with handles to be used by the disabled. Water fountains, sinks, and mirrors are alos lowered to accomodate a person in a wheel chair. Ramps and Elevators are put in place of stairs to give the disabled mobility between floors. Special Vans and buses have been designed to aid the wheelchair user, and parking spots are designated for the disabled so they don't need to travel as far.
Many organizations are involved in advancing wheelchair technology and reducing the dependancy of wheelchair users. Listed below are only two of the more prominent examples.
Organizations Recent Work Natco Medical Inc. This large medical company has been heavily involved in the development of wheelchair technology. One of their most recent achievements is a treaded chair that can climb stairs while keeping the user level. VA Hospital The VA Hospital is currently developing a "legged mobility device" similar to the University of Michigan "Leggs" project. This device has not progressed past the prototyping phase.
One of main problems facing wheelchair developers is incorporating multiple features while maintaining a suitable size and weight for the chair.
Many of the needs of a wheelchair user have been developed and used today by people who can afford them. Other things in public that are needed are supplied by the American with Disabilites Act. See our Accomodations made for wheelchairs section for more details.