Why I Love My Wheelchair!

In this video I talk about why I love my wheelchair. Hopefully this might be a source of inspiration for someone to see the positives in life rather than the negative
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[@AdaptToPerform]

Do you love your wheelchair? Let's talk!

[@AdaptToPerform]

That's fair.

[@bethangibby4857]

My wheelchair is amazing it allows me to be more independent and do stuff go out I live on my own so it allows me to go out and be an active brownie leader girl guiding without my chair I probably wouldn’t still be doing brownies because of the pain I was having in my hips I do like to go fast in my chair when I can and bunny hop pop wheelies for fun I really love being able to talk about it and share it I am so greatful I am so glad I found your channel your positivity and motivation is good

[@mkorea]

I like wheelchairs, too. I respect your positive thoughts. That is the source of my life.

[@AdaptToPerform]

Awesome! Positive thinking is the best

[@quickmike420]

Great video, awesome attitude. I see my chair as my freedom and independence also, all it takes is for a mechanical issue to sideline my chair to make me realize how limited I'd be without it. Waterskiing must have been thrilling!

[@AdaptToPerform]

Thanks mate. Yeah it's humbling. Waterskiing was great! The video is on the channel!

[@riccirich7648]

Very well said Ben, keep it up, your one of my inspiration, God bless you bro.

[@AdaptToPerform]

Cheers Richard. Keep being awesome 🤙

[@Jaggededge112]

I’m a little bit late. I wanted to say that I do love my wheelchair because it does give me freedom that I would otherwise not have. Also I just got my new one in and I truly love the style, fit, and colors I chose. Lots of people come up and tell me what a gorgeous wheelchair I have and it starts conversations. I’m less shy now and can get to where I need or want to go with ease and no pain.

[@AdaptToPerform]

Nothing wrong with being late here! That's amazing in glad it gives you confidence

[@Jaggededge112]

Adapt To Perform thank you 😊. I was thinking about starting a KZbin channel revolving around the day to day logistics in using a wheelchair and some of the funnier bits. I’m not sure though.

[@AdaptToPerform]

Just do it!

[@bjcronje]

Heard this from a lot of wheelchair users and I feel that way too. It's a sense of liberation most able bodied people won't be able to understand.

[@AdaptToPerform]

It's difficult to get your head around unless you experience it

[@jazk3409]

Yes yes my guy Ben with the positivity, keep doing your thing bro.

[@AdaptToPerform]

Thanks mate. Did you like this type of video? I would like to do more!

[@shelleywaltman5505]

Bravo! I love mine too!

[@AdaptToPerform]

😊😊😊

[@joywest1078]

Ben thank you for sharing! I have Fibromyalgia and arthritis of the spine. I didn't want to use a wheelchair. In fact, I was using canes and walkers and found I was hurting myself more when I used them. so two years ago I swallowed my pride and now I am a wheelchair user. I'm still working on that positive mindset you spoke of the main things I have a challenge with is cooking and exercise. I'll be a happy girl if I can master cooking and exercising. Any tips?

[@AdaptToPerform]

Well have you checked out my exercise videos? I have quite a few! I'd love to do some cooking videos 😊 How are you finding the wheelchair now?

[@joywest1078]

@@AdaptToPerform I love my wheelchair because I can move around when I want to. In the past I was self conscious about using a wheelchair because I thought people might look at me negatively since I can stand up and walk a little and I put emphasis on little. I'm still trying to get over what people think I guess. The facts of my situation are that I can no longer walk more than 10 feet on my own and standing more than 10 minutes causes me severe pain that lingers a while. So I had a choice of either using the wheelchair so I can get some of my independence back or spend the rest of my days in my bedroom where I can move to the bathroom and back. Of course, I chose the wheelchair 😁 and haven't regretted my decision since. Thank you for the exercise videos!

[@AdaptToPerform]

I'm glad to hear that it's working so well for you. Acceptance is hard but look at the possibilities now that you have!

[@doreenblair3425]

Thank you for transparency.

[@AdaptToPerform]

a pleasure!

[@ecologist_to_be]

How do you push your chair with limited hand function? Does it slow you down? Or doesn't it matter as you mostly use palm of hand? 🤔

[@AdaptToPerform]

It doesn't make too much difference on flat surface but on hills I lose grip as I'm just using friction

[@36Studebaker]

i'm a straight shooter and i think it's a really dumb, random, careless, unthought-through statement... although i CAN see where it might come from... i listened to most of that video and as i understand it you praise your wheelchair/disability as a catalyst for becoming a better person with expanded outlook, not just stating literally that you like your chair because it allows you to be mobile as a quad... i'm a c5-7 quad since april of 1990 and i'd occasionally make similar statements for the first 10-15 years of being paralyzed; e.g. 'becoming disabled saved my life', etc., and indeed it was at least partially true... notwithstanding this fact, i then eventually started to age, deform and my health and ability quickly started to wane once i crested that certain age/ability hill...eventually i wasn't able to do 1/10th of the stuff i could when i was a younger quad and i now can barely withstand sitting in my chair for more than a couple of hours before i become severely uncomfortable and in pain...the past surgeries, amputations take their toll on learned techniques one develops throughout one's 'quaddom' and no longer work... plus once a quad's body and physique start to deteriorate it becomes a chore just to exist on daily basis; at least for most quads i know and have known - myself included... working out also gets very limited past certain point and the body basically betrays you like a tired machine... yeah, i'm still glad a concept such as a wheelchair exists but i don't say anything of that nature anymore and certainly don't assume to speak for any other paralyzed folks; each has one's own personal relationship with one's disability and wheelchair, i would swap my bleedin' wheelchair for my pre-paralysis being in a heartbeat and then merrily trample it into a ground with my able legs...now more than ever although i don't waste my time on such silly dreamy notions of course because it's pointless... if i were a high function para i'd also swap my chair for crutches whenever i could use those instead of to roll... anyway, you might want to emphasize that latter point [id est: it's your own personal feelings and not how other quads feel] clearly when you speak about disability/wheelchairs because i got the impression that at times during your monologue you were somewhat generalizing and implied that all or most other crips feel like you do at present time...on an unrelated note i'm amazed that you have such great balance for a quad and your legs and forearms haven't atrophied much at all... that is really rare and hope you can keep that up throughout your life, it will certainly help you to put off the major deterioration for quite longer than most quads...

[@stevedeann]

I'm in the process of ordering a new wheel chair. In the video I was expecting your view of what it is you like about the features of your chair. I've been a C6 (complete) quad for over 9 years. The chair I'm in now is my first and it's 7 years old. It has a lot of brackets on it to allow for adjustments as I got use to a manual chair and got stronger. It's time for a lighter, solid frame with a new cushion for my seat and back. I'm 6' 1" and need a high, curved back on my chair for stability. My legs are long and my trunk is tall. In this video I noticed that the back of your chair is pretty low, like a para would have. How tall are you? My trainers would like to see me with a lower back so my core will be stronger and my posture better. I've tried a different chair but I wobble around and it makes it more difficult to reach for things. Also, I'm quite a bit older than you at 57. Like you, I'm also happy to be in a chair. You're right, it is our legs. Most quads at my injury level and age and height need to be in a power chair. I have the same tenacity that you do so I'm pretty healthy and fit...for a quad. My involvement with the Triumph Foundation in Santa Clarita, CA and Casa Colina Rehab. Hospital in Pomona, CA have allowed me to continue doing the sports I use to do. Now they're adaptive sports; water skiing, surfing, handcycling, scuba diving, off-roading, among other "action sports." I work out at The Perfect Step in Claremont, CA and their motto is, Exercise is Medicine.

[@AdaptToPerform]

I will get round to talking about the specifics of my chair one day. I'm 6'2. Try getting more of a bucket on the chair. It certainly helps, where are you based?

[@stevedeann]

@@AdaptToPerform USA. Southern California, to be more accurate. The warm weather is great here if you're a quad.

[@AdaptToPerform]

I bet definitely need to come one day! Have you looked into new chairs/different companies available? There's quite a few your way

[@harshvardhanmanidixit8334]

You are inspiration for us

[@AdaptToPerform]

Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ecologist_to_be]

I love my current power chair (Q700m pro). It the one that meets my needs the most (my third chair since 2013)...just wish they were made better, they get faults so easily and are so expensive! Mine started at £7.5k but some of the features I would like are on the £14k version (ergo) and I don't want these features enough to fork out another £7 odd k. 😂😂😂 Without the powered mobility aid I'd be pretty much bedridden. lol I can't use manual wheelchair as my shoulders are unstable, I have poor balance and I don't tolerate cardio exercise. Be a lot easier in a manual I think as they seem like you can get into more places if have help. 🤔 Plus don't need a super expensive WAV. lol Can't say I've had any special opportunities due to my chair really. lol

[@AdaptToPerform]

Disabled equipment is just so expensive! 😔

[@ecologist_to_be]

@@AdaptToPerform it really is...I get my chair through Motability currently as NHS have very long list of criteria for powerchair... downside I can't get a car now. NHS will only provide a powerchair for indoor use only due to my house and I'd need to be pushed if wanted to go out and that would mean zero independence 😱 NHS also only provide tilt I'd have to pay for other features I use for quality of life and it several thousand on top 😬😬😬 lol

[@AdaptToPerform]

The Wheelchair services is a shambles really. Poorly managed and doesn't serve its purpose.

[@eringarceau3752]

@@AdaptToPerform what actually happened, your accident, if you don't mind sharing. Did it happen swimming?

[@AdaptToPerform]

Yes spinal cord injury in the sea

[@Fatemehasdabr]

Honestly. I don't like it!

[@AdaptToPerform]

Can you elaborate? I appreciate the feedback