Folding Wheelchair

It is obvious that a folding wheelchair is much more flexible than a wheelchair with a rigid frame. It is definitely your decision, whether you want to use a rigid or a folding frame. The main advantage of a folding wheelchair is its power to accommodate the surface especially when moving over uneven surfaces. The chair’s frame helps to keep all the wheels on the ground. Of course, if the surface is hard, a wheelchair with a rigid frame is better. Please note that not all folding wheelchairs are portable. While they can be carried with ease, there are wheelchairs specifically made that fit into the portable wheelchair category.

Cost of Folding Wheelchair

The price of a folding wheelchair is anything between $1000 and $3500. It is important for you to try out both the rigid and the folding varieties, before you invest in one. A folding wheelchair has many advantages, but it has several disadvantages too.

Pros of Folding Wheelchair

The biggest advantage of the folding wheelchair is its folding quality. It is very convenient to just fold it for car transport. You don’t have to remove any parts when you fold it, the folding wheelchair can just be stowed away in the folding position. A standard wheelchair, on the other hand, needs a large van to be transported.

Since it is very flexible, all the four wheels remain on the ground especially when the surface is rough. The leg-rests of the folding wheelchair are swing-away, whereas the wheelchairs with rigid frames have fixed front ends. Storing is very easy, as it folds very neatly and easily and can be easily put away in small homes, even where space is a problem.

Cons of Folding Wheelchair

Since a folding wheelchair is often opened up and folded , its adjustable and removable parts tend to break easily or get lost. But these numerous movable parts are much easier to repair than in the rigid frame wheelchairs, because they are not as rigidly built. For certain activities it is not strong enough and could collapse. In most of the folding wheelchairs the angle of the seat cannot be adjusted.

A folding wheelchair is definitely heavier than a rigid one, and hence it is harder to push it. Durability is also lower than the rigid models. If there are any moving parts in a machine, the wear and tear of these parts is much more than the immovable parts, and that is exactly the case here.

The advantages of a folding wheelchair are by far greater than the rigid one, and hence it is the more popular type. In a competition, disabled athletes prefer to use a folding one, because it is heavier, more comfortable and at the same time versatile. A folding power wheelchair is even better for the athletes. Above all, the freedom and access of movement is much more in a folding wheelchair. It is popular because it is simple, sturdy and functional.