I just thought of some good "wheelchair exercises" I've learned since
getting TM. .. ;)
Bending - leaning down to try to pick up dropped
spoons/forks/pens/papers/ (and so on) - say around 200 repetitions per day.
Stretches - (1) trying to locate dropped soap - say around 6x per shower
per day... (2) stretching to get to the many things that seem to be
just above reach of wheelchair height...
Muscle pumping - pushing the wheels of that chair around everywhere you
need to go.. (no point even trying to count this....if you really need
to get somewhere then just 'go for the burn' as jane fonda used to say....)
Endurance - (same as above)..
Agility - various contortions (punctuated with numerous expletives)
used to try to unwedge oneself from being jammed in hallway corners not
designed for wheelchair access...
Aerobics workout - racing to the other end of the house to catch the
phone that's started ringing the moment you are at the furthest point in
the house away from it; then picking it up just as the caller hangs
up.... added touches to the 'phone run' include the wheelies around
corners, occasional skids, scuffles or smashes with doorways etc.
Biceps/shoulders workout - Alternative to above for those with
floorboards using full-forearm-support frames (ie: rolling device where
full body weight can be carried through elbows & bent arms that rest on
the frame); the "lean and lift" - used to propel oneself by the wheels
to try to get somewhere quicker.....
Bicep/shoulder pumps - lifting one's body weight through the arms during
transfer whilst attempting to land safely..
And a mental workout ...the leap of faith required to overcome that
feeling of sinking dread when being pushed over the edge of stairs and
gutters in the wheelchair - having to trust someone to hang on to you;
and of being totally out of control of your own safety during that time
.... (yeeek ..that's scary!)
Kathryn
