I am still a new member here. I posted twice about wheelchairs so far and had negative responses both times. I found this in real life too especially from older people. I would like to categorically state that there is no shame in using a wheelchair. Its just a tool for people with legs that don;t work. Nothing more, no stigma, nothing attached. Replacement legs if you will.
Since getting my wheelchair it has taken me to some amazing places that I would never be able to go to otherwise. I am massively pro (independent) mobility and being able to live a normal life through whatever means. If that means you roll, who cares? Due to the weird views of my mother I was anti wheelchairs and for 7 years I suffered "walking" with AMN. Happily I saw through it, although, despite achieving a lot, I feel I wasted a lot of time in those 7 years.
If you are active person you can use a chair for sport too whether it be basketball, or just walking your dogs. Only great positive things. Plus wheelchairs make you strong, see pic.
I find it somewhat sadistic to struggle through life when there is no need.
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LessThanRich
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I spent 5 years on Arm crutches. I was limited to about a 1/2 mile of fairly level and relatively safe terrain before become too fatigued to keep moving. Going to the mall meant finding the right entrance to be the closest to the store I wanted to get to.
It was limiting. During this time I had 3 broken ankles, a broken hip, and a broken vertebrae from various falls.
I fought the wheelchair but after several surgeries, we all agreed it would be best if I used one.
The first chair was bulky and heavy. Getting it in and out of the car was a battle. I became stuck at home.
Got a custom built TiLite chair that was lighter and easy to get around in. It was a rigid frame so getting it in and out of the car was a pain. Bought a second TiLite, this one was foldable.
Now, I am independently mobile. I go to the mall to exercise win it is cold and rainy. I zip end to end in minutes.
We bought lake property and are building a house. I bought a set of knobby mountain bike tires and a FreeWheel. I am very mobile in sandy mud on most days except after a hard rain.
If anyone cares, the tires I got fit on my standard 26" wheels. They are my permanent wheels for my folding chair because the brake needs to be moved out rendering the stock tires unusable unless the brakes are readjusted. They are smooth on concrete and dirt so no issue.
I use a freewheel too, its kinda indispensable if you wanna be active outdoors..
i upgraded my tyres to 37mm from 25mm too, although go my eye on some FAT 24" x 2.1inch Kenda offroaders. I wouldn;t get a folding chair, rigid is way more responsive and you waste a lot less energy. my van has a ramp, so no taking my chair apart.
aside 7 stitches in my leg, which incited me to get my wheelchair in the first place i have had no serious injuries luckily. although unrelated i somehow managed to break my foot whilst using my chair
I use Loopwheels on fatter tyres with RibGrips. I don;t think there is much better technology out there. There are some other solutions. But I am really happy with my choices.
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Botox injections in legs
How old were you when you first noticed symptoms? 
Coping Mentally With AMN
MIN-102 update: summer 2022
