Most wheelchair users have wheelchairs that can fold, but there are some types of wheelchairs, known as rigid wheelchairs, which can’t fold. Folding wheelchairs are convenient because they give wheelchair users the option to travel and can easily fit into most vehicles when folded down. But sometimes, a wheelchairs may get stuck or won’t fold down. Why does this happen, and how can you fix it?
If a wheelchair won’t fold, the most likely reason is wear and tear in the functional parts that allow the wheelchair to fold and unfold, a mechanism that needs to be oiled, or the wheelchair being folded incorrectly. Not all wheelchairs fold the same way, and finding the reason is challenging.
The most widely used wheelchairs are manual, and these are generally easy to fold. These wheelchairs have a simple design, and folding them requires pulling a lever. Other wheelchairs have wheels that can be removed, and these are removed by pressing the center of the wheel. Electric wheelchairs with more components may be slightly trickier to fold.
Common Reasons Why A Wheelchair Won’t Fold
Depending on the type of wheelchair you have, there is often a simple explanation for why your wheelchair won’t fold. Most wheelchairs can fold, but some wheelchairs that are called rigid wheelchairs are incapable of folding down completely.
Rigid wheelchairs are designed to be compact enough for maneuverability and are lightweight, and usually, only the backrest can be folded down in these types of wheelchairs.
The common reasons why a wheelchairs won’t fold include the following:
- The wheelchair is being folded incorrectly. Each wheelchair design will fold differently and follow a step-by-step process to fold it up. The most common reason why a wheelchair won’t fold is that it is being folded incorrectly. In most instances, you will either remove the wheels entirely or push them to the side and then lift up the center section of the wheelchair seat to fold it.
- Wear and tear. When a wheelchair has been used for many years, it is susceptible to wear and tear. If there are levers that help the wheelchairs fold, these can become worn over time and may not work as efficiently as they should and could be the reason why the wheelchair won’t fold.
- The wheelchair needs maintenance. All wheelchairs require regular maintenance to prevent unexpected issues with the functioning of the wheelchair, repair any damages to the wheelchair, increase longevity, ensure safety and give the user peace of mind that their wheelchair is in good condition. If the wheelchair has not undergone any maintenance, then there may be faulty parts that prevent the wheelchair from folding.
How Do You Fold Down A Wheelchair?
There are a few general ways to fold wheelchairs, but various brands of wheelchairs often have a unique way of folding that sets them apart from their competitors, so it’s best to consult your healthcare provider, the manufacturer, or the user guide to help determine how the wheelchairs fold.
Folding A Manual Wheelchair
Folding a manual wheelchairs is simple and only takes a few minutes to fold. Most manual wheelchairs have a similar design and are folded by pulling a lever and even come with wheels that can be folded in or removed.
To fold a manual wheelchairs, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Make sure the wheelchair is ready for folding by removing the seat cushion and other easily removable parts.
- Step 2: Lock the wheels of the wheelchair so it won’t move when you’re folding it. The locking mechanism is usually found on the side of the wheelchair close to the wheels or the seat.
- Step 3: Next, fold or remove the footrests. Depending on the type of wheelchair you have, you will either push the footrests towards the outside of the wheelchair or turn a knob fitted near the armrests to release the footrests and remove them altogether.
- Step 4: Pull the seat section of the wheelchair upwards, and it should naturally fold. Many have a material handle for easy folding, while others require you to push the seat upwards.
Folding An Electric Wheelchair
Folding an electric wheelchair is similar to folding a manual wheelchair. Electric wheelchairs often have more components that you may need to remove before you can fold them, but this depends on the design of the wheelchair.
An electric wheelchair can be folded by following these steps:
- Step 1: Remove the seat cushion from the wheelchair so you can fold it.
- Step 2: Unplug the joystick and carefully remove it from the wheelchair. Remove the armrests as well if the armrests are removable.
- Step 3: Fold in the footrest.
- Step 4: hold the footrest side with one hand and the backrest side with the other hand and fold the two together. This should make your wheelchair a lot more compact and easily able to fit in your car.
How To Fix A Wheelchair That Won’t Fold?
The best way to fix a wheelchair that won’t fold is to troubleshoot the cause. If it’s a faulty lever stuck in one position, you could try to oil it to help it move as it should. The reason the wheelchair is not able to fold is due to it being folded incorrectly, you’ll need to go through the steps of folding the wheelchair again and see if it will fold.
If the wheelchair has not had regular maintenance, there may be a fault, wear and tear or something else that is getting in the way of the wheelchair being able to fold. In this case, it’s best to take your wheelchair to a professional to get it serviced so that you can determine the cause of it not folding and carry out regular maintenance checks on your wheelchair.
Conclusion
The most likely reason a wheelchair won’t fold is that it is being folded incorrectly. It’s easy to assume that most wheelchairs fold inwards, but some may have a few other steps that need to be carried out before they can be folded. It’s best to consult your healthcare provider and the wheelchair user guide to determine the correct way to fold your wheelchair and avoid any damage to your wheelchair.