A wheelchair is used by those with limited mobility because of an illness, handicap, or injury. It assists them to become more mobile and free. There are various kinds of wheelchairs that are in use for various reasons. It is vital to understand the limitations and safe operation of whatever wheelchair you choose.

Manual Wheelchairs

A manual wheelchair is one that is propelled by the user. It is generally done by pushing on round bars that surround the wheels. This wheelchair also has handles on the rear so it can be pushed by another person. A manual wheelchair is simple to keep, is lightweight, and is the cheapest to buy.

Electric Wheelchairs

Electric wheelchairs are propelled by a motor and battery. They are very complicated. They are operated with a joy stick or push buttons. Some electric wheelchairs use advanced technology and can go up stairs, move on gravel and even rise up to provide access to high shelves. Electric wheelchairs call for tough frames to carry the motor and battery so they are very heavy and also quite expensive. The average cost of an electric wheelchair is $7000 but can fall anywhere from $3000 to $30,000.

Sports Wheelchairs

As the name suggests, these wheelchairs are made for playing sports. They are especially lightweight yet very stable. They are often used for tennis, basketball and marathons .

Dog Wheelchairs

Yes, there is such a thing as wheelchairs for dogs. They were made to help handicapped and injured dogs regain their ability to move. Many times, the problem is hip displacement or a spinal cord wound that leaves the dog with no control over his back legs. The dog wheelchair fits onto the back legs and rolls across the floor and the dog moves forward with his front legs. This helps the dog regain mobility and go on to lead a normal life.

Pediatric Wheelchairs

Pediatric wheelchairs can be either manual or electric type . They are just smaller scale down versions of the larger adult wheelchairs. These are usually adjustable so they can grow with the child and get enlarged to have room for increased weight and bulk as the child grows.

Anytime you are in the market for a wheelchair, no matter what kind you are looking for, it is a good idea to do some comparison shopping. Different wheelchairs come with different abilities and different prices as well. You may want to be sure you obtain a good deal for your money and end up with the best wheelchair for the person who will be using it. You can buy wheelchairs today in joyful colors and seat prints. And you can customize them more after purchase to make the wheelchair uniquely to fit the user .