DisabilityMobility.com

Perhaps the greatest scientific contribution that Canada has made to the entire world is that of the electric wheelchair. Developed by Dr. George Johann Klein in the 1950s, this has been considered as a wonder invention in the field.

The electric wheelchair came as a great relief to the second World War veterans. Thousands of war victims were benefited by it. The electric wheelchair of Dr. Klein underwent many modifications. Today, there are many enhanced variants of it catering to specific customer needs.

Until the coming of the electric wheelchair, the existing chairs catered only to the needs of paraplegic individuals. But Dr. Klein's invention stands apart in that it can also be used by quadriplegics. The wheelchair had benefited thousands of Second World War veterans and will hence be remembered forever.

The electric powered wheelchair can be used not only by paraplegics and quadriplegics; doctors now advise patients with cardiovascular problems to use them. The wheelchair has become customized. It is equipped to be used both indoors and outdoors. Some wheelchairs are portable.

The main functions of an electric wheelchair are to help in movement. Besides going forward and backwards, movements like stretching and titling can also be done. Its movement is controlled by joy sticks; chin controls or sip/puff controls. We can control the wheelchair's direction, speed or other parameters by these joysticks.

The price of an electric powered wheelchair can be immense. The prices range from $1000 to $3000 for ordinary models while advanced models can cost $10,000 or more. They also may need frequent upkeep and repair work done. These are some of the disadvantages that electric wheelchairs present.

Are you looking for a power wheelchair? If so, head over to the electric powered wheelchairs web site.

Cerebral palsy sufferer Matt Ellis has been feeling bitterly disappointed after sustaining an Achillies tendon tear during the BT Paralympic World Cup this week. The injury has come as a disappointment to both Ellis and the British team.

The thirty year old flew in from Miami for the World Cup, which was featuring football for the first time ever, and managed to score the only goal in the win over the USA team. Ellis' glory was short lived unfortunately as he then sustained the injury during a 3-1 defeat by overall competition winners the Netherlands.

Ellis has now been told to rest his tendon until September which will result in him missing the upcoming European Championships which is obviously a disappointment.

"I'm gutted obviously," said Ellis. "I felt a hot pain in the second half of that game against the Dutch and I went over for a scan and it's a torn Achilles. Rather than up the Achilles, it's a 4mm tear across it which is worse apparently.'

Britain however managed to achieve the bronze medal which has come as little comfort for the team who were previously unbeaten throughout 2009.Ellis admitted that the team need to up their training in order to be able to compete against the best.

"Hopefully we can raise our game and play our attacking, flowing brand of football again," said Ellis. "I think the problem is we only play once a month together whereas a lot of the teams train once a week. But we're still feeling good about the European Championships.

The Paralympic World Cup is the largest multi-sport annual elite disability competition in the world and many athletes competed in Manchester this time. The competition has been placed there in order to bridge the gap between the four yearly paralympic games.

Some of the Paralympic activities involve the use of mobility aids which are subject to strict rules. Visit Prodo for the best SEO chester