This article is incomplete.
A wheelchair is a mobility device designed to assist individuals with difficulty walking. It consists of a seat mounted on a wheeled frame, allowing users to move with the help of manual or powered propulsion.
An individual with ALS use a wheelchair when walking independently or with a walker becomes too difficult. In some cases, an individual may only use a wheelchair in certain situations, such as to avoid long distances or periods standing.
Most wheelchairs, whether powered or unpowered will fit easily through the interior doors of most buildings. Problems may arise when attempting to go around corners, or over thresholds.
A threshold of less than 1 inch (25 mm) may be enough to cause difficulty for a manual wheelchair. Power wheelchairs may be able to get over thresholds as high as 3 inches (76 mm).
Before purchasing a wheelchair, its fit in the home can be evaluated by creating a cardboard template of the wheelchair’s overall width and length, including extra length to account for the user's feet. By maneuvering this template around the home, any potential obstacles or tight spaces where the wheelchair might bump into walls or other objects can be identified.
If it is determined that the wheelchair cannot navigate essential parts of the home and a smaller wheelchair is not feasible, it may be necessary to consider relocating to a different residence.