One Handed or One Arm Drive Wheelchair?

by Robert
(Bryan, TX USA)

Question: Does someone make a wheelchair in the USA that can be operated with only one hand (not a motorized one)?

Answer: One arm drive wheelchairs are designed for individuals to drive using one arm. One needs to have good coordination and strength in the arm that will be used to operate the wheelchair. The one arm drive wheelchairs can use either a double rim or lever system.

A double rim system has two handrims located on the same side that control the rear wheels. The outer handrim controls the wheel on that side of the wheelchair and the inner handrim controls the wheel on the opposite side of the wheelchair. You must use both rims at the same time to propel straight forward or backward. To turn the wheelchair, the user pushes the handrim that controls the wheel on the opposite side of the wheelchair or pulls backward on the handrim that controls the same side of the wheelchair. There are also lever one arm drive wheelchairs, but I am less familiar with those.

I looked around and there are several companies that sell one arm drive systems that can be purchased to attach to wheelchairs. There are systems that can be attached to the Excel K4 and Quickie LX/LXI wheelchairs. You can find out more about these systems at:

www.dmesupplygroup.com

or

www.southwestmedical.com

Invacare also offers one arm drive options for their Invacare Tracer SX5 Deluxe Wheelchair. You can find a provider of Invacare wheelchairs in your area by visiting the Invacare website:

www.invacare.com

Here is a website that shows you the options available on the above mentioned Invacare wheelchair:

www.1800wheelchair.com

If you contact a dealer, and they are unfamiliar with the one arm drive system, I would contact the manufacturers directly.