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In 2013, I was still struggling with pain and reduced strength in my legs from when a car hit me while I was crossing the road six years previously. I was also planning my June wedding to the man I love and who was searching for answers to my medical questions alongside me. I was determined to walk down the aisle in heels, even though my legs would often give out unexpectedly and leave me stranded on a curb when I would go out with friends. I know now that my fear of mobility aides and of the word “disability” was actively harming me and making my condition worse. After our wedding, my new husband Jon and I honeymooned in Iceland. We have always loved traveling together, and this trip was one of the best we’ve ever experienced. There were time, though, where my limited mobility kept us from exploring as freely as we wanted to. Hiking was not possible for me, and even exploring out from the jeep we had rented was difficult. We took some beautiful pictures in our wedding clothes out in the Icelandic lava fields, but there was still so much we didn’t get to do.
Four years later (just this past month), my husband and I, along with his family, went back to Iceland. I’ve now had my Rough Rider for a couple years and it continues to give me access to parts of my life that I thought I would never get back when I finally decided to get a chair. We went back to some of those same beautiful sights, like Þingvellir and Geysir, and I was able to be a part of the journey in more ways than I had been able to on our honeymoon. I rounded a corner of the steep path along Þingvellir on this most recent trip, guiding my chair around obstacles, and suddenly saw an entire waterfall that I hadn’t known existed. On our honeymoon, I’d had to stop at the top of that path because I knew my legs wouldn’t carry me. I feel so grateful for what my Rough Rider has given me and how much more I can accomplish now.
To find the distance between your hips, first position yourself seated with pelvis upright on a firm surface. Then, measure the distance between the widest points of the hips and thighs without compressing any tissue. Finally, record your measurements. It is important not to have a chair that is wider than necessary as it will be harder to push and may prevent you from passing through narrow doorways.
Position yourself seated upright on a firm surface. Measure the length of your upper leg, the distance from behind the knee to the back of the pelvis (back of your lower leg). Subtract 1/2” to find the maximum seat depth, to allow for space between the back of the knee/upper leg and seat fabric. Record the final measurement.
Your preferred backrest height is determined by your personal comfort level and physical ability. Whirlwind recommends, generally, that the top of the back support should fall just beneath the bottom of the shoulder blade. For less active riders who require more torso support, the back support should be higher, falling just beneath the armpit. Position yourself seated upright on a firm surface. Hold your hands flat against the surface you are sitting on. Measure the distance from the seated surface to the desired, most comfortable point for support on your back. To this number add the height of your cushion when you are sitting on it. Record the measurement.
Backrest angles are determined by the torso control of the rider. Whirlwind recommends that those with less torso control, such as quadriplegics, sit with a backrest angled further backwards to avoid falling forward in a wheelchair. Those with more torso control, such as amputees, can sit with the backrest more upright. Proper backrest angle is best determined by an occupational therapist or healthcare professional. Although there is only one option – 8 degrees – in the drop-down list below, you can adjust the backrest angle by adjusting the backrest straps (i.e. looser at the bottom and tighter at the top for a more erect position).
Now please enter your measurements into the fields on the product page before ordering. For more information about measuring, please refer to the RoughRider Fitting Sheet. You are responsible for choosing the right chair for yourself. If you are uncomfortable with determining your wheelchair size, please consult a professional.