Improved wheelchair technology gives me hope and independence

SMA has certainly given me the privilege of seeing cool gadgets and cutting-edge technology evolve over time. For instance, I’ve had five different wheelchairs since 1987, when I was 5 years old. The technology of them has changed so much over the years that I’ve felt like a passenger on the road to the future. And I still feel that way.

When I got my original wheelchair in the 1980s, it allowed me to drive myself around and beep a horn. The chair could recline, but somebody had to do that for me.

Don’t get me wrong, being able to control the drive myself gave me fantastic independence. Little did I know back then that my future chairs would let me do so much more.

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My second chair did allow me to recline and adjust my body. And my chairs after that not only allowed me to control many of their actions, but also to send signals to other technological devices.

I remember 10-plus years ago, when an infrared transmitter was mounted on the side of my chair. I’d put my wheelchair into a certain mode that would send infrared signals from the transmitter to a receiver plugged into my computer. That allowed me to control the computer’s mouse. That was great because it allowed me to have a second way to control the computer.

Sometimes I’d use the chair controls to transmit infrared signals to move the mouse. Other times I’d control the mouse with my eyes using the PCEye eye tracker.

The only drawback of the infrared transmitter was that it ran on batteries. The lower the energy of the batteries, the harder it was to send signals to the receiver. That made it harder to control the mouse, unless I used my PCEye option.

Still, the infrared transmitter and receiver were wonderful tools that increased my independence with the computer. It also helped that the batteries were common, either double AA or triple AAA, I think. I just had to make sure they were changed every two or three months, depending on how much I used them.

After this setup, I got a wheelchair that sent out Bluetooth signals instead of infrared. Thus I was able to connect with the computer from my chair without using a separate mounted transmitter and receiver. Since I’m not using an external transmitter to send out the Bluetooth signals, I can move the mouse cursor all I want with my chair controls without worrying about batteries.

I also use my chair to send signals to my phone so that I can control its apps. Controlling them allows me to be independent with my TV, air conditioning, light switches, and much more.

Another feature I love is the ability to raise my seat. I’m not talking about my vertical platform lift, which raises my chair to the main level of the house. I’m talking about raising the seat of my chair 12 inches higher so that I can be at eye level with others. When I’m out in public or in an audience when people in front of me block my view, all I have to do is raise myself to see above their heads.

I also raise myself because it’s fun, and it makes my nurses chuckle. Instead of laughing in an offensive way, they’re laughing because I can make myself taller when most people can’t. I get a kick out of it when my nurses lightheartedly say things like, “You’re just showing off!”

My upcoming wheelchair

I’m set to receive my sixth chair this year. Medicare will pay for a new chair every five to seven years. My new one will have all of the features discussed above, plus two new ones: a rearview camera and a function for my legs.

By putting my chair in a certain mode, I’ll be able to change the position of my footrest so that I can stretch my legs straight myself. My nurses and physical therapists have always stretched my legs straight and will continue to do so. It gives me great satisfaction to know that I’ll be able to do it myself, as well.

Technological improvements in wheelchairs have made my hopes for more independence come true, and they’ve been an answer to my faith and prayers.

Let’s all soar together to see what new wheelchair technology is on the horizon!

Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.