Go down a flight of stairs with handrail in a wheelchair

Technique for people who have strong arms


User goes down a flight of stairs with handrail, filmed by Madeleine Stenius, Rehab Station Stockholm

The user positions himself with his back to the stairway, about 10 cm from the handrail. He holds on with his right hand on the banister, while his left hand is on the left push rim and he slowly drives backwards. When the push rim begins to descend toward the next step he bends his upper body forward and continues backwards until he is standing on the step below. Then he changes his grip and continues the same way one step at a time.

Description of technique according to the book ‘Drivkraft’ [Driving force] by Ake Norsten, see below.

Users comments
For a description of more driving techniques, see the book ‘Drivkraft körergononmi, rullstolsteknik & metodik’ [Driving force driving ergonomics, wheelchair techniques and methods] by Åke Norsten. The book is available in Swedish and may be ordered from Spinalis, spinalis.se/?lang=en or Aleris Rehabstation Stockholm, aleris.se/rehabstation (last checked December 2020).

User goes down a flight of stairs with handrail.

User goes down a flight of stairs with handrail. Photo: Madeleine Stenius, Rehabstation Stockholm

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Author: Staffan

Staffan bor i lägenhet. Han arbetar heltid. Han har en låg paraplegi sedan födseln. Ingen assistans.

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