Even decades post injury, efficient self propulsion was not a major everyday concern for Steve Kearley, 43, an ultralightweight wheelchair user. A three-time Paralympian in quad rugby, Steve still plays on a local team, so strength and stamina issues weren’t necessarily at the top of his list of concerns as he sought out his next wheelchair.
To find the best possible seating & mobility system, Steve worked with Brandon Edmondson, OTR/ATP, director of clinical sales for Permobil and TiLite, and Jim Black, TiLite sales management. And they identified a number of factors to consider:
 and started “with an abrasion from a bad transfer.”</li>
<li>Brandon noted, “Steve has a natural tendency to slide into posterior pelvic tilt and a lumbar kyphosis, especially when self-propelling. Although his current chair was functional, it required him to constantly reposition due to sliding forward in the system. “He also required 3.5″ of seat slope for adequate stability, and the seat-to-back angle this created made it impossible to provide any lowback support. The aggressive seat slope also encouraged his posterior pelvic tilt; however, without it he was at constant risk of forward instability. Steve also has atrophy in his lower extremities, and even with a properly fitted rear seat width, his lower-extremity positioning was a concern. He found himself having to stop and readjust his legs on the footplate after negotiating bumps and terrain. He also was looking for help with the front stability of the entire system. His previous chair would pitch forward when negotiating steep declines, and weight was suddenly transferred to the front casters.”</li>
<li>While propulsion wasn’t the first issue the team addressed, Brandon added they wanted to be sure “rear wheel placement is optimal and he has a friction handrim [so] his push efficiency is effective. We aimed to make it as efficient as possible, considering he is now 25 years post, and any reduction of repetitive strain is vital.”</li>
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