Category: Resources

People First Language: I Am Not My Wheelchair

Consider the sentence:

“Christopher Reeve was a wheelchair-bound actor.”

To those familiar with his career before he suffered the accident which lead to his paralysis, this would be a gross misrepresentation of a popular and beloved figure. Why then, is it acceptable to characterize others in similar ways – even if they have lived with a disability from birth?

Continue reading People First Language: I Am Not My Wheelchair

State Accessibility Laws

By law, people with disabilities are ensured equal opportunities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, telecommunications, commercial facilities, and state and local government. Along with the Americans with Disabilities Act, each state has their own laws regarding disability rights. The following resources will help you learn about the disability rights laws in your state.

Continue reading State Accessibility Laws

Molecular Biology Resources Online

Molecular biology is a branch of science which studies biological systems at a molecular level. The purview of molecular biology often overlaps with fields such as biochemistry and genetics, since molecular biology closely studies cell systems and their complex interactions. Protein biosynthesis, DNA, and RNA patterns are also explored by molecular biologists.

Continue reading Molecular Biology Resources Online

Caregiver Day of Action – July 28, 2010

The experience of helping loved ones in need can be both rewarding and trying. Over the last ten years 1800wheelchair.com has helped tens of thousands of care givers with mobility related issues. We often hear the same questions and struggles. Using Meetup.com’s Everywhere platform we hope to bring people together to discuss what they’ve learned, share stories and maybe inspire each other.

Continue reading Caregiver Day of Action – July 28, 2010

The Game of Quad Rugby

Quad rugby is a sport that was developed for individuals and athletes who have upper body disabilities. The event typically takes place on a basketball court in which the players are in wheelchairs. Originally known as “murder ball”, quad rugby has transformed into a popular Paralympic sport practiced in over twenty countries. Established in 1993, the sport of quad rugby is governed by the International Wheelchair Rugby Federations.

Continue reading The Game of Quad Rugby

An Overview of Stephen Hawking

This article is brought to you by 1800wheelchair – The Power Wheelchair Store.

When life throws you a lemon, you don’t sulk, complain or feel sorry for yourself. Instead, you just make lemonade. You make the most of the situation that is handed to you, just as Stephen Hawking has done in his lifetime of accomplishments, achievements and deeds while being severely disabled. Mr. Hawking is an extraordinary human being who defeated all odds and stood his ground in maintaining his sense of humor and integrity, despite his physical limitations. Society puts him in the same category as Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton for his knowledge and experience in Physics, Mathematics and Cosmology. He is a man defined not only by his disability, but by his accomplishments and his contributions to science.

Continue reading An Overview of Stephen Hawking

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Information Page

Multiple sclerosis, commonly known as MS, is a disease that affects the nerves of the central nervous system. An insulation to the nerves known as myelin improves the impulses that maintain the health of the nerves. When an individual has multiple sclerosis, inflammation in the nervous system (spinal cord and brain) causes the myelin to degenerate. These nerves then become damaged, which can affect a person’s vision, walking, speech, memory and writing. The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown but researchers have narrowed the reasoning down to genetics and disorders of the immune system. Common symptoms of MS include tingling, loss of balance, blurred or double vision, numbness, weakness in limbs, slurred speech, cognitive problems, lack of coordination, and sudden paralysis. While there is no one test to diagnosis multiple sclerosis, a series of criteria is used to diagnosis the disease.

Continue reading Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Information Page

The Pharmacology Resource Page

The study of science changes everyday with the growing prevalence of technology and continuous progress being made in a variety of different fields in science. Scientists have discovered new ways to approach, and information relating to, medicine and the human body. Pharmacology is studied by scientists who help to determine how drugs and different types of medication may heal and aid the body in resisting diseases and infections. Pharmacology is broken down into many divisions pertaining to a variety of subtopics, including a drug’s affect on living cells to the chemicals that may be dangerous to our bodies. The information and links provided will ensure a better understanding of pharmacology and the way it has developed and grown in it’s significance in recent years.

Continue reading The Pharmacology Resource Page

Resources for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Legal Links

Continue reading Resources for Parents of Children with Special Needs

Cerebral Palsy Information

This article is brought to you by 1800wheelchair; we offer pediatric bath safety, adaptive strollers, & pediatric wheelchairs.  Looking for stuff like this? Follow 1800wheelchair on Twitter.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of conditions caused by medical abnormalities in the development of a fetus or the early life of a child. These lead to damage or delayed development in the brain. The disorder is permanent and, though it does not worsen with age, the level of functionality of a person with cerebral palsy varies widely: in some cases, effects may be very minor, while in others, movement is impaired to the extent that a wheelchair is required. Common complications associated with CP vary by the type of CP disorder but can include vision problems, seizures, learning disabilities, and issues speaking, writing, and performing other tasks related to motor control.

Continue reading Cerebral Palsy Information

The Physical Therapy Resource

This article is brought to you by 1800wheelchair; we offer lift chairs, hospital beds, & safe patient handling.

Physical therapy is a discipline that focuses on helping people develop strength and regain function of the limbs and muscles of their bodies. A patient’s need for physical therapy evolves from factors such as an injury, debilitating illness, or advancing age. Physical therapists work with patients in many settings as a form of rehabilitation. Also known as physiotherapy, physical therapy is employed in several environments, including hospitals, nursing homes, and private offices. The goal of physical therapy is to establish or maintain function for people who have lost some abilities, and thereby improve their quality of life.

Continue reading The Physical Therapy Resource

The Diabetic Resource

Diabetes is a serious medical condition that affects over 23 million people in the United States. Diabetes is a disorder where the body is unable to process and regulate blood sugar, which can lead to serious medical problems. There are many people who have already been diagnosed with this lifelong illness and many more with conditions that pre-dispose them to developing it. Research is being done on ways to fight this disease and find a cure.

Continue reading The Diabetic Resource