WHY A WHEELCHAIR IS BETTER THAN WALKING

I explain why I prefer to use my wheelchair even though I can walk

💢👇🏻SUPPORT THE MISSION OF WHEELS2WALKING👇🏻💢

📚Read the UNTOLD story of Wheels2Walking 📚

Follow me on INSTAGRAM!

#wheelchair #paraplegic #spinalcordinjury

[cass_p]

If people stare when I stand up in my chair (to reach something on a high shelf, for example), I like to shout "It's a miracle!" before falling back down and saying "nope, false alarm." People generally leave me alone after that.

[WholeFoodSpark]

The troll comments are sad, especially those coming from other wheelchair users... we all need to understand that at the end of the day, a wheelchair is just a mobility AID. It moves a person from A to B. It doesn’t symbolize a competition of who’s more disabled. Spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete and then there are plenty of ambulatory disabilities that can necessitate a wheelchair, especially for long distances. Yes those of us who can pick and choose our aids are lucky, but if a wheelchair is the best/safest option, we’re ALLOWED TO USE ONE. Stop being the disability police.

I’m WAY more mobile and in WAY less pain in my wheelchair than when I’m walking. I need it for long distances otherwise Im in too much pain to walk even a very short distance later in the day. I also save a ton of energy using my chair and it’s safer because I don’t have to worry about falling.

[mikeberryessa]

I have been using a Walker for FOUR years. Today I used my new wheelchair for the first time and what a blessing. Everyone can call me speedy !

[Riiot]

I have a different disability, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, but I completely relate to this video and the points you've made. My wheelchair gives me the freedom to enjoy life and see the world that my legs don't provide me with.

[janaonwheels]

I have a foldable cane I tuck away in a bag on the back of my chair. If I run into the small bathroom problem, I use my cane and hobble in and out. And yeah, I've had people, even friends, ask me why I use a wheelchair if I can walk. I keep the answer simple: walking even a few steps is extremely painful and extremely dangerous, due to the very real risk of falling.

[amandaz]

I tried for years to just walk instead of using a wheelchair. I ended up never leaving the house and being too tired and in too much pain to move after noon. I could never walk as fast as my friends and had to constantly look at the ground due to my poor balance.

[author.jessica.kemery]

It makes me sad you have to explain this.

[casssolari]

It is disgusting that you have to explain this. You did it in good humour anyway. Well done!!

[ngarcia]

You should like attach your crutch onto your wheelchair so you can switch if you have problems like that.

[juliedickson]

YESSS!!!! I'm an ambulatory chair user too and most of my family, former classmates, and even my doctors don't understand why I rely on my wheelchair most of the time. My wheelchair = my independence! I actually keep a cane attached to my chair with a bicycle flashlight mount so I can switch between the two.

[SnowySpiritRuby]

For my situation-

Wheelchair is better:
-museums
-big cities where we'll be out all day without the car (e.g. D.C.)
-state/national parks
-airports (except on the actual plane itself - I can walk well enough that I don't need an aisle chair)
-anywhere with paved sidewalks/no stairs that's too long for me to walk without sitting down to take breaks
-anytime I have to stand/walk in the heat for more than a few minutes at a time but it's still paved
-anywhere accessible that I'm not sure how far I'll need to walk (just in case it's further than what I can do)
-when I don't have enough energy to walk
-when I need to conserve energy for walking later on in places that won't be accessible
-when I need a portable chair and it's the only one I have

Walking is better:
-anywhere a wheelchair would be unable to go/where it would be extremely impractical: friends' houses, fields/unpaved trails, at camp, geocaching, at church (even though the main part is accessible, there's no elevator to the choir loft, but there's a railing the entire way up), first responder training scenarios, my choir concerts, etc.
-anywhere it would be unsafe to use a wheelchair: working around horses, etc.
-anywhere I don't have to stand still for long periods nor walk very far without breaks
-when I have the energy and walking won't do more harm than good

I walk when I can (which is most of the time), but I use my chair when I need to.

[rosinagranizo]

I STILL cannot believe that people STILL needed further clarification as to why some people need to use a wheelchair 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️. Your other video explained it pretty well. People are so dense it's ridiculous.

[holliebangs]

I'm at the point of having to consider using a wheelchair and this has put me at ease that it's ok to use both crutches and a wheelchair!! Thank you woman for helping me learn how to cope with my disability xx

[lightsinthesky]

I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user and the amount of times I have had to explain that walking hurts, dislocates my joints, makes me nauseous and dizzy and requires me to have help which I DONT WANT AT AGE 20 is remarkable. My chair enables me to go out alone for more that 20 minutes and actually have hobbies outside of my house.

[bjarnefahlbusch]

In Germany we say "Besser schlecht gefahren als gut gelaufen" this means "Better drive bad than walk good"
(sorry for the bad translation)

[jenniferhudson-gensler]

Due to my deteriorating health, I’ve recently given in to the fact that I can no longer navigate a large store or event on foot. Just grocery shopping puts me in tears from the pain. I hate the looks that I get when I walk from my truck and go get into an electric cart. People have even made rude comments about the chairs being for people who “need” them. I’m starting to get bitter towards those people. How dare they make comments like that, when they don’t know me (or my health struggles) at all. THANK YOU for doing such a great job trying to educate not only those in similar situations as yourself, but also the general public. It is much appreciated. 💕

[FeralWench]

This is SO true. I have Spina Bifida, and I made the decision to be in a wheelchair full time due to stamina and falling risks. I decided after I was intentionally shoved by a fellow student at my High School. Sadly, I was also ashamed of walking because I had a noticeable abnormal gait due to my spinal birth defect. My suggestion to others who may be thinking about making the transfer; make sure you do have a plan when it comes
to diet, exercise, and strength training. All of that needs to be modified once your mobility is limited.

Unfortunately, I neglected those things as I got older, and I am suffering from the effects of not planning for the future when it came to my health. I wish I would have done things differently, but I am now working from the bottom up. Learn from my mistakes and don't take your health, independence, or your abilities (despite how limited they may be) for granted. Only you and your doctor can decide what's best for your health and independence. Be proud of your abilities and who you are. If walking or using a wheelchair is easier and provides independence, don't be afraid of what others are thinking. You know your limitations and how to better the quality of your life; don't listen to ignorant fools.

[AmyWhiles]

So informative. It’s helping me learn the options I have with my deteriorating health.

[helenwood]

My sister's goddaughter has a little boy (three years old this month). When I first got a wheelchair, J was afraid of how he'd react when he was used to seeing me walking or in a hospital bed. I was afraid the wheelchair would frighten him or make him see me differently.

The first time he saw me in it, his whole face lit up. He loves anything with wheels. We had a race, which he won in his buggy. First time I had laughed in a long time.

My new, all terrain wheelchair arrived today. Looking forward to showing little Jude my new wheels.

[Enduring_Strength_]

so i can walk and stairs as well and not use a walker if needed but i like my wheelchair because i get around faster and it lets be so much more independent. its like a non stop workout that helps me get strength back in my life. You are one great example for many people and i thank you for it so much. “My disability does not defines me, it’s my hard work and never giving up that shows who I am”