Being able to hear the opinions of real people who have used Convaid’s wheelchairs is invaluable.

You can help out people who are trying to decide which wheelchair to purchase. You can submit a testimonial at Convaid.com and tell others about your experience with Convaid Wheelchairs. We thank you in advance for your honest feedback!

Key Features:

• Uniquely designed to grow from ages 3 – 15 (30 – 108 lbs.)
• “Free angle” recline - reclines at any position from 90° – 180°
• Reclines flat for diaper changes
• Modular extensions & accessories provide extensive growth where needed
• Pommel and firm lateral supports available for added positioning
• Conforms to the natural contour of the body to provide optimal support
• Designed on IndyCar principles – protects more securely against side impacts
• Trouble-free installation & easy to use
• LATCH equipped (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
• Exceeds U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 (FMVSS 213)
• Certified for aircraft travel
• Sold in over 16 countries – top selling restraint system in Europe!
• Click here for more information

Also, I would love to hear what types of instructional videos you would find helpful! Please email me at gina@convaid.com.

It’s a New Year and it’s time for a New Wheelchair! The best part is it’s on us! That’s right; we’re giving away a FREE Convaid Cruiser Wheelchair to one lucky Facebook fan!

All you have to do is send us a photo of you with your current Convaid chair or a picture of you doing something you love. We want to see what everyone is up to so if you just went on vacation, started horseback riding, or just started school send us a picture! We want to see you guys in action! It doesn’t have to be a professional photo, but we would prefer if wasn’t taken from your phone.

Once you submit your photo, have everyone you know — including your mom, brother, friends, or anyone who has a Facebook page — “like” your photo. The person with the most “likes” wins!

Good Luck!

For more information and complete details, visit our Facebook Page.

Deck the Halls
While it may feel unrealistic to tackle decorating your home for the holidays from the seat of your wheelchair, we wanted to share some helpful tools and creative ideas to make sure you can deck the halls in style this year. Use a reach extender to put ornaments on a pre-lit tree or to hang the stockings by the fireplace. If you are feeling particularly celebratory, you can host a tree trimming party where your friends and family can gather and visit while trimming the tree.

If you have an artificial tree, consider having a friend wrap it up for storage with the ornaments in tact at the end of the season. This way you can simply have it set up and ready to go when the season rolls around again.

Holiday Baking
Cookies and other holiday treats are a staple in most homes during the holiday season. Baking in a kitchen that is not outfitted for a wheelchair can be a bit of an inconvenience though. Even without a complete overhaul on your kitchen, you can take part in the holiday treat-making in your wheelchair. Consider inviting some friends or family members over for a cookie exchange. That way you can enjoy the full assortment of cookies and goodies without having to mix up multiple batches of cookie dough. The addition of a wheelchair tray to your chair can make it easier to decorate those traditional sugar cookie snowflakes and gingerbread men that everyone enjoys. There are also lots of delicious recipes for no-bake Christmas cookies or fudge that you can put together without having to maneuver around an oven door or stovetop.

Shopping & Shipping
The crowds at the malls and the post office during the holiday season can be overwhelming. Space gets tight and stress is high. With a variety of shopping options available online, it can be easy to avoid the long lines and have your items gift wrapped and shipped directly from the store. Many online stores offer free shipping will guarantee delivery before Christmas Eve.

With so many compact and collapsible travel wheelchair options, you can venture out for a shopping trip with convenience. Your chair will fit in a vehicle with lots of room still left for holiday packages of all shapes and sizes! A travel chair is also designed to maneuver in tight spaces, so you will be able to navigate the busy department store aisles with ease. For a particularly festive approach, you can add a little greenery or holiday decoration to your chair. Don’t laugh – it can actually make your chair more visible in crowded areas, helping to prevent other shoppers from accidentally bumping into you with arms laden with shopping bags. Just think, with the addition of an under the seat storage basket or side saddlebags for your wheelchair, you can probably rival Santa’s sleigh for gift capacity!

While some people truly enjoy getting out of the house to do their holiday shopping, there are very few that would choose to wait in lines at the post office or package shipping center. Luckily, there are great options for shipping your cards and gifts from the comfort of your home. Boxes and labels can be dropped off by your mail carrier or picked up at a local post office. You can package up the gifts at your convenience, pay for your postage online, and even print a label on your home computer. You can then schedule your packages to be picked up by your mail carrier when they are ready to go.

As the malls fill with crowds and holiday sights and sounds surround us, you may find yourself feeling the pressure of finding creative gifts for all of your family and friends. If you have someone with special needs on your list, choosing a gift that is accessible while reflecting personal style can be daunting.

At Convaid, we have had the opportunity to connect with a number of families with individuals in wheelchairs, strollers and scooters. With insight gathered from our customers and some creative brainstorming on our parts, we have put together a list of unique holiday gifts that anyone in a wheelchair would appreciate!

Wheelchair Accessories & Gadgets

There are a number of great options available for customizing a wheelchair for maximum comfort and accessibility. Many accessories are tailored to a specific type of chair or scooter, so be sure to check if there are any specifications you should consider before purchasing.

• Wheelchair Backpack, Utility Bag, or Travel Bag – Give a stylish and practical option for toting personal items here and there. An style that specifically works with the recipient’s chair is ideal!
• Pocketbook with long strap – Back Pockets are not easily accessible for someone in a wheelchair, and wallets can be lost or fall out of a chair. A pocketbook with a long strap can be worn comfortably over the shoulder, allowing for easy access when needed.
• Wheelchair cup holders & trays
• Push Handle
• Reach Extenders – Increase an individual’s level of self confidence and self reliance by ensuring they can reach the items they need without having to ask for help.
• Extra Long Shoe Horns
• Under Seat Storage Baskets
• Safety Flags

Living Fully & Creatively

While movement can be limited for individuals in wheelchairs, there are many ways to encourage an active life that is full of incredible experiences, physical wellness, and mental stimulation.

• Travel Wheelchairs & Accessories – Lightweight and collapsible travel chairs and travel accessories are available for making global exploration accessible. Check out our recent blog post about airplane travel tips for wheelchair users.
• Exercise videos – Health & wellness videos created especially for people in wheelchairs are a great gift for encouraging physical fitness.  Participation in physical activities can be beneficial for overall health and emotional wellness. Convaid has a number of Fixed-Tilt Positioning Wheelchairs available that can increase mobility, making it possible to try new activities.
• Music – A welcome gift for any music lover would be a portable MP3 Player. Make it even more fun with a gift subscription to a music download site.
• Bird Watching – This is generally a relaxing and fascinating hobby that can be enjoyed year-round. Create a gift set that combines binoculars, a birding guide, and blank journal or voice recorder for recording notes and bird songs.
• Event Tickets – Admission to Sports Events, Concerts, Museums, or Theatrical performances provide stimulating and exciting experiences for the recipient. Most venues are required to make reasonable accommodations for wheelchairs and other special needs, so you can be assured the event will be accessible. Combine tickets with a gift card for dinner at a local restaurant for an extra special gift. Be sure to ask about wheelchair access when you purchase tickets or gift cards.

Comfort & Style

Select a gift that reflects the recipient’s personal tastes and unique sense of style. Gifts that are designed to enhance daily comfort while making a style statement are great confidence boosters for anyone!

• Scarves, Hats & Mittens – A great opportunity to provide a gift that you can tailor to reflect the recipient’s unique style while providing warmth.
• Jewelry – Everyone can appreciate the appeal of jewelry that is attractive and easy to put on. Watches, earrings, and necklaces are usually welcome gifts.
• Adaptive Clothing – Stylish and comfortable clothing options that are designed for wheelchair use are a thoughtful gift. Enabling an individual to dress themselves with little or no assistance can provide an incredible sense of confidence. There are a number of companies that specialize in stylish and adaptive clothing lines.
• Lap Blankets & Chair Pillows – Increase the comfort of your friend or family member by giving a cozy and attractive blanket that will fit comfortably in a lap without falling off the sides or catching in wheels. Coordinate a small pillow and blanket set that can be easily stowed in an under seat storage basket or utility bag.

For more gift ideas or information on wheelchair or stroller options from Convaid, we hope you will visit our website, contact us or call 888-CONVAID (266-8243).

The Rodeo is known for its highly adjustable tilt, lightweight frame for easy transport, size adjustable frame, crash tested transit models that adhere to national safety standards, and the option of firm lateral thoracic supports for increased postural support.

Notable new Rodeo features include:

• 90º – 110º of recline adjustment which provides pressure relief and upper body support for individuals with insufficient trunk stability.
• 10 inch seat width to ensure custom positioning for even the smallest clients.
• Solid seat cushion to provide pressure relief, stability and postural control.
• Stylish padded upholstery which offers extra comfort without sacrificing style.

The Product Pavilion Award was presented at Medtrade 2011 to the product that best exemplifies improvements in quality of life.

• Plan to arrive two to three hours prior to a domestic flight or up to four hours prior to an international flight to ensure enough time to get through security and make your way to the gate.
• If you experience discomfort after sitting for extended periods of time, strongly consider selecting destinations where travel times are limited. You should also consider if limited mobility is an issue, restroom use on the plane may be difficult. Some airlines provide small chairs to transport guests to the restroom, but if this is not an option, it would be wise to limit your time in the air.
• It may be a bit more expensive to secure non-stop flights for your trip, but limiting connections can reduce the stress of navigating multiple airports in a restricted time period.
• Research the airline and plane ahead of time. Can the plane size accommodate a travel wheelchair in the cabin? Can you reserve an aisle seat?
• Individuals in wheelchairs or scooters are subject to thorough searches at the security checkpoints. While it may be a bit uncomfortable and tedious, these searches are to ensure the safety of all passengers.
• If you require medication or have mobility restrictions, it can be helpful to secure a letter from your doctor to make the transition through security a little easier.

Online Resources for Wheelchair Travel:

Disability Travel and Recreation Resources

Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality

Travelconsumer.com

DisabledTravelers.com

Additionally, finding a babysitter who is experienced in caring for a special needs child can be challenging. So how do you find a babysitter when you need some time away?

• Visit Care.com – and you can search for babysitters near you, and view their profile to find the best fit for your child.
• Ask family and friends – you already know and trust them, and it’s a great way for them to bond with your child. Make sure you don’t take advantage of the relationship, but know that many times, family and friends are willing to help you get some much needed time away.
• Ask teachers, therapists, and other caregivers. Some will take on babysitting as a second income or are often connected to others who babysit for special needs kids.
• Form a group with other special needs parents nearby and ‘trade’ babysitting services on a rotating schedule.
• If there is a college nearby, check to see if they have students in a special ed or therapy related program. It’s a great way for them to earn extra money and gain experience they will need with their future career.

• The Rodeo now has a model with a 10 inch seat width, making it the perfect size for small children.
• We added solid, quick release rear wheels.
• The new, padded upholstery is not only comfortable, but stylish too.
• We added a solid seat cushion for pressure relief and greater stability and support.
• The recline adjusts from 90 to 110 degrees – so you can get the support and pressure relief you need.

Check out the new Rodeo Wheelchair for Children and the new Rodeo Wheelchair for Adults to see all the features!