The Wheelchair Series: What the Spinal Cord Injury Consumer Needs to Know

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Adjusting to the changes and loss of movement and control after a spinal cord injury is challenging, but it's not impossible. This section is designed to help you kickstart your journey towards discovering the possibilities of an active lifestyle and the resources available to achieve your goals.

Almost any activity can be adapted to your level of injury, lifestyle, and interests. For sports enthusiasts, there are established groups offering adaptive options such as soccer, baseball, sailing, scuba diving, golf, hockey, skiing, dance, as well as fitness and weightlifting programs. Resources for involvement in Paralympic Sport Clubs are also included.

For those with a passion for the arts, you can explore adaptive painting, drawing, photography, and music programs. Various forms of adaptive equipment enable participation in crafts, hobbies, and games.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find organizations catering to adaptive camps, fishing, kayaking, mountain climbing, skiing, snowboarding, cycling, boat racing, whitewater rafting, and other adventure activities. 

Accessible travel options for domestic and international vacations are also available, with resources and travel tips for seamless transportation by railroad, airplane, bus, accessible van, and car. 

Video gamers can explore accessible technology and equipment, including computer accessibility features, adaptive screen readers, voice recognition programs, adaptive joysticks, computer tables, and other adaptations.

Peer support groups and programs offer valuable tips for re-entering and rediscovering recreational activities that bring joy, nurture relationships, and build friendships. Explore this section to discover ways to enhance your physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being.

The Wheelchair Series: What the Spinal Cord Injury Consumer Needs to Know The wheelchair is a complex piece of equipment that has been extensively engineered and studied. Becoming a wheelchair expert increases your ability to get a wheelchair that truly meets your needs. While it is not possible or a single handout to teach all there is to know, topics covered by the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center on Getting the Right Wheelchair, The Manual Wheelchair and The Power Wheelchair include key information that can support your ongoing development of wheelchair knowledge.