So, as a wheelchair user, I only ever sit in my own wheelchair or on my bed. However, I was recently given another kind of chair for me to sit in, which sits me in a different position.

Prior to having this chair, if I wanted to get out of my wheelchair I would get in my bed and stay there. My bed was the only other place I was able to sit, and once I was in it, I struggled to see the point of going through all that effort of getting out again. I also didn’t want to put the pressure of transferring me, which can be a difficult task, needlessly on those around me.

This chair gives me somewhere else to sit, that’s easier to transfer to. I will hopefully give me a little bit more of my physical mobility back and be generally more comfortable, simply from spending more time sitting in a different position.

Using this chair is something that it will take time getting used to. I am also aware that there will likely be a point in the future where I have to make a conscious effort to sit in the chair, but I’ve done well so far. That said I will not be able to sit in it tomorrow, as I have places to go so I won’t have the time. I haven’t been told I need to sit in it any particularly length of time, so we’ll just have to see how it goes.

New equipment and / or mobility aids can take time to get used to, and they should be worth it, I hope. So please stick with the things you need to help you if they’re difficult in the beginning. Things should get easier, and I am hopeful that sitting in this chair will.

Below is a picture of me sat in this chair with my dogs on my knee, because of course they had to try the chair out with me as well.