Using a manual wheelchair and a Batec

This is a post for another day but there are different mobility aids for everyone, even people with the same illness. Some people like myself also use a mixture of mobility aids to meet their needs depending on their symptoms at thar time or for certain occasions like leaving the house or going longer distances such as when shopping.

Best of both

My wheelchair and Batec

Having both a manual wheelchair and my Batec wheelchair power attachment I feel like I have the best of both worlds. I can use my chair manually when I’m able to like around my home. Then when I can’t push my chair such as when I’m out my bungalow I can attach my Batec and zoom off. This means I don’t have to struggle pushing my chair and my Batec allows me more freedom and independence.

I definitely wouldn’t manage without my Batec and my wheelchair and Batec really go together. I definitely couldn’t be a manual wheelchair user without my Batec either. Even just going out to the post box I couldn’t manage by pushing myself. My Batec enables me to do so much more.

One of the reasons why I got at GTM wheelchair is because they are so compatible with Batec’s.

Using a manual wheelchair 

For me when it comes to my wheelchair I use a manual wheelchair with some adaptions to make it easier for me to use.

In my years looking into buying a wheelchair I did look into folding electric wheelchairs but they just didn’t ‘click’ with me. I didn’t like the standard seating and just sat with a joystick to move around, though very energy saving for me just didn’t feel like it fitted with me.

I’d tried out some manual wheelchairs and they felt more ‘me’ as I liked being more mobile but I hadn’t yet fully made my mind up on going for a manual wheelchair and electric wheelchairs were still on my mind.

When I got my demo with an ultra lightweight manual wheelchair I realised that actually I can push myself. It also helped that the demo chair’s push rims were gekko grip push rims so it made me also realise with additions like this it would aid my ability to push a manual wheelchair. That’s how I ended up with my GTM Mustang manual wheelchair. (Just to cut a long story short).

My GTM chair is very lightweight making it so easy to get around in. Some of the additional customisations I went for are large push rims with gekko grip. The push rims are ergonomically shaped making them so comfortable and going for the larger size even though my hands are small I find them easier to grip especially if my hands are in spasm. The gekko grip is amazing and such a great addition I don’t know how I’d push my chair without it. It’s so amazing, I can even push my chair with my hand in a fist or with the heel of my hand. I also got Spinergy wheels for my chair which are really lightweight wheels. The lighter the weight of my chair the easier it is to push.

I like having a manual chair as it keeps me active and I like to feel active in my chair. While I’ve got the ability to be in a manual wheelchair I want to be able to use one. I’m doing a lot of work with my physiotherapist to help me strengthen my arms and shoulders so I can get around in my chair.

It is still very exhausting and difficult sometimes though. I do known that maybe one day I might need an addition to my chair like a Smart Drive which is a power assisted device for wheelchairs that I’ve looked into. It’s a bit like a miniature Batec but it helps me push my chair.

My Batec

I have the Batec Mini 2. There are different models of the Batec depending on what you want to do with it. My Batec can be folded up which makes it easier to transport and store.

My Batec attaches to the front of my wheelchair. Under my wheelchair I have a bracket to dock the Batec so it can attach and detach. It literally takes less a minute to attach or detach my Batec from my wheelchair it really is that easy.

I got my Batec before I got my GTM chair but getting my Batec made me realise just how much I really needed a new wheelchair. I made me realise how my previous NHS wheelchair really wasn’t meeting my needs. I’ve had my GTM chair just over a month and it’s really changed my life. It’s also a lot more comfortable to ride with my Batec too.

Having my Batec is amazing and has really helped my mental health. I’m not able to push myself around to go out for some fresh air but now I can. I’ve even gone along on a bike ride with my Dad on my Batec and I was easily able to keep up with his speed!

I also love the suspension I have in my wheelchair and it’s so comfortable to ride in my wheelchair with my Batec.

Having a Batec is essential for me. I was so lost without it when it was out of action until it was fixed. Without my Batec I was unable to leave the house.

I also find my Batec more sociable. It’s nice to be able to ride alongside someone like when I’m pushing my chair alongside someone just like you do if you were walking together, only I’m in a wheelchair.