WHEELCHAIRS & DISABILITY

YSI

About 10% of the global population, i.e. about 650 million people, have disabilities.

Studies indicate that, of these, some 10% require a wheelchair. In 2003, it was estimated that 20 million of those requiring a wheelchair for mobility did not have one. There are indications that only a minority of those in need of wheelchairs have access to them, and of these very few have access to an appropriate wheelchair .

People with disability

Dealing with disability is difficult but there are many resources available and support groups out there to

attend: 1.Organize yourself properly: Organize yourself properly. Keeping your room, body, and lifestyle

clean and organized can really lower your stress levels and help you be more confident. Find help with any household tasks you can't do for yourself.

2.Exercise often:Get plenty of exercise in any way that you can. If you're in a

wheelchair, then ask your doctor about exercise options for you 3.Be polite and stay calm with obnoxious people: Even if somebody makes fun of you, there are ways to turn around

the situation. When someone makes fun of you, keep your dignity. 4.Let yourself grieve and go through all five stages of grief about

your disability: Seek real support from therapists, counsellors and trusted friends or

family members. Learn to judge who's genuinely supportive and who's pitying

Tips on dealing with disability

5.Accept your disability: This is the most difficult part as it can be very discouraging. Accept

that you may never walk, hear or see again and that you can still enjoy life. If your disability can be changed with physical therapy and treatment, seize the day and fight it every day.

6.Take advantage of what can be done: Some conditions like blindness or the loss of a limb require

extensive retraining to use what prosthetics and life strategies can enrich your life. Even if you can't change the disability itself, you can improve your life by using every assist and strategy available.

7.Seek assistance from the community of other disabled people: especially those who've got the same conditions you do. They

understand and they've been through everything you're going through now. They may have lists of contact numbers and resources for things you think you can't afford.

8.Get a hobby: Find something that you like to take your mind off of things, like

sewing, jewellery making, woodworking, scrapbooking, painting, drawing, writing

To live with a disability means expense that the average person can’t even contemplate .

People with disabilities try to live as 'normal' and 'full' lives as possible, but unfortunately this has always come at an extra cost, financially, emotionally and physically

The average wheelchair is €299 although they vary due to the many different types.

Costs of being in a wheelchair

Widening doorways and passageways Moving light switches, door handles, doorbells and entry

phones to convenient heights Installing grab rails for support Adapting bathroom facilities (for example, raised toilet,

back rest against the toilet cistern, level deck shower, bath with hoist, hand basin at appropriate height)

Locating bathroom or bedroom facilities at ground-floor level

Installing ramps to avoid using steps Ensuring that external approaches such as paths or

drives have a firm, level surface Installing a stair lift or elevator Specialised furniture, like adjustable beds or support

chairs

Home adaptations for people in a wheelchair.

“What is a stairlift?”Well… stairlifts, or chairlifts are for anyone having difficulty with stairs due to an accident, illness or age if you are living in a two storey home. Understandably, some people are put off getting one. Yet people say life is so much easier with a stairlift and most wish they’d installed one sooner to make their life as normal as possible.

Stair Lifts

Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair Basketball is one of the most popular team sports to date for people with a disability. Players use custom-built basketball wheelchairs and play with 5 players per team. Nets are at standard regulation height and courts are full size.

Anyone can play for fun or recreation. At competitive level, custom basketball chairs are generally recommended as with the speed and sometimes physical nature of the game, everyday chairs are not suitable. Able-bodied players are currently playing but only players with a disability may compete internationally.

RulesMost major rules of the able-bodied game are enforced

with slight adaptions for the wheelchair game such as traveling; a wheelchair player can only carry the ball for two pushes before dribbling. A player must also not use their lower limbs to steer or gain any advantage in height during play.

Who can play?

Living with a disability is clearly difficult but can be

done to make sure one enjoys life to the full

despite being in a wheelchair.

By Group 2