Why I use a wheelchair when I can walk.

A question I get a lot is why I use a wheelchair if I am able to work. If you haven't had much contact with wheelchairs when you see someone in a wheelchair you think that if someone is in a wheelchair they MUST be paralysed- WRONG.

That mindset is how this meme started getting circulated:

The person in this meme could have very easily been mine. It isn't rare that I will stand up if I can't reach something on a high shelf.

The reasons I use a wheelchair are:

1. Dislocations:

Because of the EDS my joints dislocate constantly and I am unable to walk long distances without dislocating my hips. There are times where I can walk short distances and there are times I can't even walk to the bathroom. Every day is different which means the amount of time I use my chair is different.

2. Seizures:

I have recently started to have seizures so for my own safety when I am out I use the wheelchair as dislocating joints and hitting the floor doesn't help.

3. Drop Attacks:

I have drop attacks so for the same reason as the seizures I use a wheelchair when I am out.

4. Fatigue:

I have really bad fatigue caused by EDS and chronic fatigue and most days walking takes more spoons than I have so I use the chair to help preserve my energy.

5. Muscle Weakness

I have muscle weakness and the more I walk the worst the muscle weakness gets and the more likely I am to fall. So it is again a safety issue.

6. Chronic Pain

I am in constant pain and walking takes that pain from a 4 until a 9 so that I am not crying by the end of my outing I use the chair.

As you can see there are many more reasons to use wheelchairs than just paralysis. I have come to the conclusion that so I can enjoy myself sometimes I use the wheelchair. It was a hard thing to accept but since I have I have been able to get out more.


Eventually I will be in a wheelchair full time and I want to enjoy the fact that I am not glued to my seat and stand up if I want to reach someone. You can't tell if someone is paralysed just from looking at them. Don't judge a book by its cover

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month- Fact 15 and 16

The credit for these graphics goes to the Invisible Zebra Facebook page. Please go and like their page and tell them I sent you.

Fact 13:

There really isn't a lot of treatments, and a lot of the treatments don't work effectively. One of the treatments is pain killers and that is not a good thing as they are not the best for the liver etc. I use a lot of different braces to prevent dislocations and I also use a wheelchair to prevent hip and knee dislocations

Fact 14:

I have POTS and it is a horrible condition it makes me faint often and I don't handle things like heat because of it. I have to use compression stockings because of blood pooling or else I have drop attacks

Fact 15:

Collagen effects so much more than people realise. There have been a lot of these problems in my family and in me. EDS is so much more than just hypermobility

Fact 16:

I had all of these problems, I was called a floppy baby and I took a long time to sit, stand, walk and talk

Thank you for reading! I hope that you enjoyed it. Please share this for EDS Awareness and let Invisible Zebra know I sent you!