When I 1st needed to use a wheelchair I presumed life would be easier. I had a new piece of mobility equipment, a wheelchair and I was ready. I assumed getting around now would be a bit of cake. But I didn't think about how I was going to get into my place when I got out of hospital and a simple tthing like a ramp was tricky to find.
The step into the house was not that big, but when my spouse was pulling me and my wheelchair up over it “I realized we needed a ramp and quick! My brother is a joiner and he made a non permanent ramp for me out of wood. I have to say, it did the trick. My spouse didn't have to be a weightlifter to get me into the house anymore. But I wanted something rather more pro looking!
There were such a lot of to select from:
- threshold ramps
- broad ramps
- case ramps
- channel ramps
This is my run down of what they are:
Threshold ramp
These are short ramps that you put up against a door frame. Sometimes within the house. If you have double glazed doors, they've got a lip at the bottom. Unless you are brilliant at wheelies you want a ramp to get over them yourself! I have one from the dining room into the conservatory and at the back door. The conservatory one goes up at one side over the lip and down the other side. It stays there all the time. The door doesn't close although it is there, but it doesn’t matter as it is inside the house. At the back door nonetheless it needs to move for the door to shut. This is OK as the ramp is really lightweight “it's just fibre glass.
Broad ramps
These are built to take a whole wheelchair or a 3 wheel scooter. Obviously a 3 wheel scooter can’t use a channel ramp, as the front wheel has zilch to use! You can get ones that fold up, so that you can store them easier, or put them in the vehicle. Some even roll up. They're superb for getting up a step, or raised landings. They are bigger than a threshold ramp, so aren't so steep.
Suitcase ramps
These usually fold up or come apart, but have handles on them (thus the name) so you can carry them simply. They are engineered to be highly transportable. They can be employed for scooters or wheelchairs.
Channel ramps
These come in pairs. One ramp for the left side of your wheelchair or 4 wheel scooter and one for the right. Again it is easy to get folding/compact ones for getting you into a vehicle and for straightforward storage.
I believe that you need to ask yourself a very important question before buying a ramp:
It may seem apparent but What do you need the ramp for?
Getting you and your wheelchair out and in of buildings.
Using your wheelchair or scooter within buildings.
Getting a mobility scooter into the vehicle.
Something else?
You also must ask: if the you need a mobility scooter ramp. This maybe something worth considering if you want to go outside.
Are you wanting a compact ramp that you can take away with you?
Do you have a step or door that you need a ramp on permanently?
Do you have a step in the garden that needs ramping?
Tips
Backwards or forwards?
I have a threshold ramp at the rear door. It is great, but I find going backwards makes it way easier. As it is a quite short ramp, it is kind of steep, thus huge wheels 1st is the best way to go. Choosing the best mobility aids as a person with a disability can take a lot of thought.
Somebody to help
If you are using a ramp for the 1st time, sometimes it isn't a practical one. I used one where there was a threshold ramp, but there had been still a lip at the very top. I required someone to help me at the top “I would have been stuck otherwise.
It is also useful to have someone around when you are getting used to the ramps in your home. Infrequently they're not positioned quite right, or it is just plain scary the 1st time it's used by you!
Going down
Make sure you take care when going down a ramp. Particularly ones on the exterior of buildings. It is simple to go far too swiftly and either tip at the bottom or crash! Go as slowly as you can.
Mobility aids provide a wide range of mobility equipmentincluding mobility scooter ramps disabled people or elderly people.