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For whatever reasons, many people in this world end up in a wheelchair at one point of their lives or another. Sadly, go to any nursing home and you will see more wheels then feet hitting the floor… all that rubber does amazing things to floor polish huh?

Where did wheelchairs come from?

Wheelchairs have probably been in use throughout the world since mankind invented wheels. It makes perfect sense when you think about it, most of us spend more time sitting then standing and if you can’t stand, stick a couple of wheels on the chair and voila… instant mobility! The Oxford Dictionary has an entry dating back almost 350 years ago about wheelchairs being used by those with mobility problems but even before then, in 525 AD, the industrious Chinese had already documented this invention.

Evolution of the basic Wheelchair

As mentioned previously, wheelchairs are nothing new, their wheels probably transitioned from rock to wood, wood bronze, bronze to rubber and now rubber to composite materials over the ages but sitting hasn’t changed much at all for humans in the past 100 thousand years. Handles pushing somebody who is on a chair is also a rather obvious, though I believe those must have skipped the rock generation. Today, wheelchairs can be motorized, able to climb stairs and even some in Japan speak back to you! Domo Arigatoo for sitting on me!
Evolution of controls

Although the basic wheelchair has experienced changes, the most profound ones have been in the area of self-control, leading some people to live in complete independence when previously that was but a dream. Today, wheelchairs can be controled with just about anything thanks to modern technology, from joysticks and breath (puff/suck) to finger and even chin movement. I would be surprised if they aren’t researching those that move based on your eye movement in that the chair brings you where you are looking.

What does all this mean?

Well, all these advances (and a heck of a lot more) all help give people the independence many lost, a wheelchair is no longer a burden to others but an opportunity to those who require them. Life isn’t over, just modified. Here is a fantastic video to show you what the next generation of kids are doing with their disability… wheelchair backflips… who would have thought?

Equal Access

I don’t believe there is the same amount of social stigma once attached to somebody who required the use of a wheelchair as in the past. You can see just about every public building in North America have wheelchair ramps, most street crossings have small ramps and even better, there is a constant chorus of people who are pushing for equal access to other areas which where once unaccessible… like the beach!

Colours in Motion

I found this company after watching the wheelchair back flip video (above) and was totally oblivious as to how much wheelchairs have really changed in the past years. More chrome then on a motorbike, radical designs, vibrant colors and I am just scratching the surface. These chairs honestly put my office chair to shame in comparison. I am sure there are other companies doing this as well and I applaud them all for changing the lives of people around the world who have a disability. You can visit their website at: http://colourswheelchair.com

The Bottom Line

We may not all be lucky enough with the ability to walk but regardless of circumstances, there is always new opportunities that present themselves when shit happens.