4 essentials for wheelchair carrying
Whenever I leave the house, the last thing I do is a quick check to make sure I’ve got the essentials with me. Phone. Wallet. Headphones. Keys. A couple of items that will make my journey possible and/or more enjoyable.
Carrying these items and, more importantly, having easy access to them when I’m out is essential. What you’re using to hold them is something worth thinking about.
There are some bags available specifically made to fit wheelchairs. These often come with a higher price tag than non-disability targeted gear.
Here are 4 types of bags available on the high street that I use when I’m out and about.
1. Climber’s chalk bag
When using a wheelchair, you don’t have the option to put your phone, wallet, keys and headphones in your pockets. Having something in your pocket can be difficult to access and could mean you miss the call you need to pick up.
Having a bag under my wheelchair means I have quick access to everything I need. I also find this a more secure option to carry valuables in, as it’s more difficult for other people to reach than the options on this list.
Chalk bags that are designed for climbers are the perfect option for a bag under your wheelchair. The chalk bag I use from Psychi is a perfect fit for my phone and wallet. It even has a more secure zip section for my key and headphones. There are bigger options available if you need extra space.
2. Day hiker’s bag
For slightly larger items that you need to take with you, and items that you might not need as frequent access to, I find a small rucksack on the back of my chair incredibly useful.
With a volume of 10 litres, it’s big enough to fit in a handful of catheters for the day, my radar key, any medication I need to take out. It’s also big enough for my notebook and tablet when I’m heading out for work.
There are many options available, but my choice over the last few years has been a Quechua. Both because of the discreet way it hangs on my backrest, and the price tag of £4 which is unheard of when looking at disability equipment.
I have found that the folded ends of straps can get caught in my wheel causing a braking effect, so I’d advise cutting them off.
3. Full size rucksack
There are times when I’m heading out for the day when I need to take a couple of extra items with me. I might be taking my coffee Thermos, work or additional clothing in case there's a change of weather.
For the times when I need a bit more storage space, I have my 25 litre rucksack. This is an off the shelf rucksack that I’ve had for years. From memory, I think I picked it up for about £20.
When using the rucksack, I like to have the straps pulled as tight as possible to avoid it banging into my back every time I push. Again, I’d advise to cut the folded end of the straps off so they don’t get caught in your wheels.
Another time I use this bag is when I go food shopping. It can hold a surprisingly large amount, and it means that you won’t need a plastic bag so it’s a more environmentally-friendly option.
The great thing about using these has got to be the range available. There are options to suit every style and every budget. A rarity in the disability product world.
4. Suitcase
Over the years, I’ve tried a few different options for longer haul travelling. Larger rucksacks – around 80 litres that are designed for camping. Holdalls that sit on my lap. Both of these have their plus points, but I always felt that they made getting up ramps and hills more difficult.
I was in Taiwan in 2011 when the bag I was using at the time ripped and I needed to find a replacement. It was then I had the bright idea of tying a suitcase on wheels to the back of my wheelchair. Almost like a car pulling a trailer.
In the last 10 years of using this method, I’ve made a couple of changes. I now use a climbing sling wrapped around the handle of the suitcase and a carabiner hooked through the sling to clip on the back-bar of my chair.
When buying a suitcase to use in this way, make sure it will roll at the angle at which it hangs from your wheelchair. Also, think about how you will make it stand out from the other suitcases on the carousel. I decided to spray a little mantra on mine.
Finding gear that works for you
As wheelchair users, there is a higher cost to most of what we want to do and use. It helps when concessions are available. Re-purposing off the shelf items can be a great way to save money.
I’ve always visited sports and outdoors shops over the years for equipment, but it wasn’t until I wrote this blog that I realised how much of a crossover there is with useful bits of kit.
