A wheelchair is an invaluable mobility aid for people living with a disability, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, amputation, or spinal cord injury. Rather than viewing a wheelchair as a limitation, see it as an asset that allows you to enjoy the same or new activities and hobbies.
Millions of people worldwide use the mobility aid daily, and many use them to participate in various sports, games, or pursuits regularly. If you would like to follow in their footsteps, check out the following activities you can do if you use a wheelchair.
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Go Swimming
Swimming is a great option for people who use a wheelchair, as it will provide greater freedom of movement that they might be unable to enjoy on land. Also, different products and equipment are available to provide more support in the water, from floatation aid to pool-friendly wheelchairs.
A recreation center near you may also provide accessible swim sessions, which help people living with disabilities or mobility problems to improve their swimming technique and build water confidence.
Play Basketball
If you are looking for a fun wheelchair-based sport, basketball is a great pick. The rules of the game are the same as the non-wheelchair sport, and it will allow you to unleash your competitive side, enjoy some exercise, and have some fun.
Wheelchair basketball clubs date back to post-World War II, when disabled veterans would come together to shoot hoops at a veterans’ hospital. You can play the game using any standard wheelchair, but you could improve your b-ball skills with a specialist sports wheelchair.
Visit Museums and Galleries
If you want a fun activity to enjoy alone or with loved ones, consider visiting a local museum or gallery. The educational experience will expand your mind while allowing you to enjoy a change of scenery.
A wheelchair-accessible car from alliedmobility.com will provide you with the freedom to travel to different museums and galleries at your leisure. Also, the venues are often disabled-friendly, as they will feature ramps, wide doorways, and plenty of floor space to help you move in and out of a building.
Follow Accessible Nature Trails
If you would like to escape from the house or city, visit private or public parks that feature accessible trails for disabled visitors. Embracing the great outdoors will allow you to breathe in the fresh air, enjoy some exercise, and decrease your stress levels. If you feel ready and able to tackle tough cross-country trails, you must invest in a specialist wheelchair designed for arduous terrain.
Try Bowling
Bowling is a great way to use your spare time, as the fun hobby will allow you to socialize, get competitive, and challenge your skills. If you like the idea of taking to the lanes and hitting a strike, you can join more than 500 members of the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. You could soon compete in one of ten tournaments held in the United States each year. Alternatively, you can grab some loved ones for a fun day out at your local bowling alley.
Experience Skydiving
Wheelchair users can enjoy many cool activities that will get their adrenaline pumping. For instance, you might be happy to learn that many companies permit skydiving for wheelchair users. Research the different options available to travel to the ground from 15,000ft in the air, which is bound to get your heart pumping. You can guarantee you will want to repeat the experience all over again as soon as you land safely on the ground. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Alex is fascinated with “understanding” people. It’s actually what drives everything he does. He believes in a thoughtful exploration of how you shape your thoughts, experience of the world.