Do you ever assist someone in a wheelchair?

If so PLEASE read this.
My wife is disabled and has to use a wheelchair.
I have seen so many people assisting disabled people in wheelchairs in an unsafe manner that I offer some suggestions.
Most important: NEVER push a wheelchair forward over a bump (like a door sill). Always back a wheelchair over bumps because the big wheels go OVER bumps and the small wheels in front can catch on bumps and dump the person right out of the chair.
Always have the brakes on when the person is getting in or out of the chair or when the chair is resting on a grade.
If you choose not to use the footrests, make sure the patient has their feet raised enough to not get caught and dragged under the chair.
To me, this is just common sense, but I have seen so many people assisting the disabled in an unsafe manner and it makes me cringe when I see it.

unfortunally i am a recipent of a wheelchair i have illnesses that limit my walking due to pain and my husband pushes me in the store where ever we go, he is very careful when i get in the chair and get out and always looks around for distractions when we go down each aisle but i have seen ppl push others in wheelchairs and they are very careless even tho they are health proffesionals, i have seen ppl fall out of wheelchairs,fall on thier caretaker,. a 10 year old can probably take care of a disabled person better than most adults i see and yes its just common sense to look at the chair and check it out before letting someone who is disabled get in it

I help all the time if they appear to need it, i ask can I give you a hand

im ever killing that kid person

Yes and tks for the info. I will not do it again.

I know the feeling; My father is in a wheelchair, has been ever since I was two years old.

People are stupid.

Thank you for putting it out there! My grandfather was in a wheelchair and I know you have to be very careful.

yes, my mom is in a wheelchair. these are the things you learn day by day.

never had.
but i would help if asked to or if i would see someone with.

but your tips help. really appreciate it.

Amen to that. The only people in wheelchairs you should joke around with are you're buddies who are only in them temporarily because of something stupid they did. Then you can pop wheelies to get the front wheels over bumps. If they fall they'll laugh as hard as you.

Seriously, I appreciate the advice. My uncle is in a chair cuz of a stroke and I guess I never paid attention to how his family moved him around. I only ever pushed him across parking lots or on other flat surfaces.

I assist someone in a wheelchair the same way I would assist someone pushing a baby stroller or with their arms full: I open the door for them, get out of the way or let them ahead of me in line. I fugure if someone is by themselves in a wheelchair they can ask for help and give instructions on how to do it properly. If there is a person with them that person SHOULD already know what they are doing, especially if they are a health care provider. We should be able to report these people if they are giving improper care!

Use wheelchairs as a healthcare professional everyday my friend, and i know how you feel because i too see people making similair mistakes, and always correct them if i see them doing something wrong......maybe retraining should be considered when people do this.......

Yes I do always

I'll keep that in mind, thanks!
:-)

I also thank you for putting this out there. It is nice that some people want to offer help and I am touched by that, but you pointed out some important safety issues.
I worked with the developmentally disabled for three years and worked with clients that had some mobility outside of their chairs to those who had absolutely none and had to be properly lifted in and out of the chair. I was still surprised to find so many people stare. Because of my experiences and special fondness of the DD population, I will go out of my way to help anyone in a chair, crutches, and anything else. I'll also hold a door open for anyone- Women, big guys, kids- to me it's just polite. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Doc