Motorized Wheel Chair

I don’t always write about the newest and the latest motorized wheelchairs. Although I’m always watching the news about wheelchairs and the people who own them. We have the ParaOlympics and that is where I find my heroes, but once in a while, we can find our heroes in the ordinary people like you and I. The following news story comes from Sympatico news and I wanted to share this story with my loyal readers. It’s about a man in a wheelchair named Larry Skopnik who was able to stop a robbery at a convenience story in British Columbia.

Man in wheelchair thwarts robbery in B.C.

Wheelchair Hero

A Vancouver man in a wheelchair who stopped a robbery at a convenience store over the weekend says his actions may appear impressive, but he was just doing what his parents raised him to do: help others.

Larry Skopnik was in a Commercial Drive Food Stop on Saturday when a man at the counter became aggressive after the clerk would not accept his suspicious-looking $50 bill.

The man told the female clerk he was going to rob her and then moved behind the counter. Skopnik rolled up, grabbed the man by the torso and, after a struggle that threw him from his wheelchair, the pair fell to the ground. Other store patrons held the suspect until police arrived.

On Monday, clerk Cindy Grewal called Skopnik “a hero.”

“Honest to God, my heart goes to him because he didn’t think about it that he can’t walk,” Grewal told CTV British Columbia, “but still he managed to get out of the chair and grab him down and put him down.”

Skopnik denied that he is a hero, saying, “I usually stand up for the little person and people that need help.”

He also said the fact that he is in a wheelchair will not keep him from helping others.

“I don’t think there should be any big deal made about it. Yes I’m in a wheelchair but I still have all the morals and standards that my dad and mother put into me to help people, to stand up to bullies,” Skopnik told CTV News Channel Tuesday afternoon in an interview from Vancouver.

“People have a perception of people in wheelchairs as being unable when we’re 99 per cent able. There’s only four things I can’t do in life, and that’s walk, run, jump and kick. Everything else I’m totally able to do, and helping other people is one of them.”

Skopnik has been in a wheelchair since he was injured in an ATV accident 10 years ago.
He said he was thinking about protecting Grewal from getting hurt, and not his own safety, when he decided to intervene.

“Right at the moment he was going in and getting physical with her I figured that was unacceptable to cross that boundary,” Skopnik told CTV B.C. “And all you really want to do is end the situation.”

It used to be really easy – that is, buying a wheelchair. All you needed to do was drop by a store selling them and select one suited your budget. But today, though have changed quite a lot.  The choice of motorized wheelchairs available is so vast today, it is sure to leave you confused, not knowing which will suit your needs and wallet.  From regular wheelchairs of the non-powered kind to motorized wheelchair models that come with a host of sophisticated features. This is what makes it tough to choose the right motorized wheel chair for you. You will be spoiled for choice, if you are seeking just the right wheelchair today. You can simplify the shopping process if you consider a few facts and ask yourself a few questions. Once you take into consideration these fact and answered those questions, the choice is not so difficult when it comes to buying a motorized or non-motorized wheelchair.

Which Wheelchair brand to choose?

Once you have made the decision as to whether or not you want a power chair, the next thing to consider is your weight. It has to be clear, the type of chair you need for what you weigh. Talk to your doctor or occupational therapist, who may be able to offer you valuable advice on buying the best wheelchair for your needs and weight requirements.
Next, once you have determined what type of chair you need – whether powered or not, are the features that you want to have with your wheelchair. Today, there are a lot of sophisticated electronics which come as part of a wheelchair. You should ensure that you get a wheelchair where you can adjust the height of the seat easily. Ask yourself if you need a cane holder. Do you need a wheelchair with a cup holder or a basket/backpack to carry your things. How active are you in the community? Do you need variable speed for traveling on the streets and within your community? Is the terrain that you have to cover smooth or rough with various elevations? Once you carefully consider all these facts and ask yourself some important questions, you are in the right position to buy the best powered wheelchair from the many various brands available.

Leading Motorized Wheelchair Brands

There are a few top brand motorized power wheelchairs to consider when shopping for a motorized wheelchair. There are, as said, so many choices available on the market today, it can get overwhelming. There are scores of manufacturers who offer sleek, highly functional models that aid in easy maneuverability and operation. With the choice being so extensive, sometimes choosing the right motorized wheelchair might seem a daunting task indeed. It need not be so, if you were to choose from the major brands. Take a look at these brands because they are well praised and reviewed. Once you have chosen a known tried and true brand name, you can be sure that you are buying both the name and the wheel chair that will be backed up with a guarantee and after sales service.

The Major Motorized Wheelchair Brands

Teftec Mobility is a leading brand that offers a range of motorized wheelchairs. These models come with many advanced features including adjustable seat height and a transmission steering system.

Drive Medical is another major brand that offers a variety of motorized wheelchair models. These models are known for their ease of use and maintenance.

Another leading name in the industry is Sunrise Medical, which is one of the largest manufacturers of home care products in the world. The company offers a range of models, suited to different needs and requirements.

I have written about other major manufacturers of motorized wheelchairs by the names of Invacare and Pride Mobility with their Jazzy wheelchair line.  These companies offer a wide range of wheelchairs in different sizes with various options and features available. These power wheelchairs can be steered with ease with the flick of a switch. Similarly, the seat height and recline can be easily adjusted using the controls that can be found on the side of the wheelchair.

Check out my motorized wheelchair review articles on this site.