What Did You Just Wheel In?!?!?!

2 Feb 2011: Just think about this for a second... When you walk, do you really know what you're stepping in? Spit? Urine? Chewing gum? Faeces? Dirt? Grime? Vomit? Lots and lots of things that you would never want to think about.... Now would you rub your hands on that same dirty ground? Probably not.

Well, for wheelchair users, that's what we face every day. The possibility of touching our wheels, that come into contact with all the disgusting above mentioned germs and micro organisms. We can't just ‘take our wheels off' like walkers can take off their shoes. But fortunately and unfortunately for me, which I will get to later, there is a solution!

Some wonderful, smart people have come up with the invention of elastic wheel covers for wheelchair wheels. Fortunately, because obviously, this will eliminate any possibility of ever getting dirt on the nice clean carpet again, or muddy wheel tracks on the freshly mopped tiles. They slide onto the wheels in about 10 seconds and your problems are solved!

Unfortunately though for me, I had this great idea a few years ago and wanted to make some myself, but as I do, I procrastinated and it never came out of my head and into reality. So, I missed the boat, but never mind, it is still a great invention, one that I'm sure many people can make great use of for years to come. And who knows, maybe I could make my own and call them Jo-Blogs Wheelchair Wheel Covers. Would you buy mine?

I have researched a few places that sell them, one lot is called Rahadesign Wheelchair Slippers, and they are based in Europe. For a set of ‘slippers' which are available in purple, blue or beige, it will set you back about AU$53 for the pair, plus shipping. They are soft, made from a faux velvet material on the outside, and have a specialised material on the inside that will grip to your wheelchair wheels to avoid slippage.

The other ones that I have found are from a company called Cool Hubcaps, based in the US, their covers are made from neoprene and come in purple, they are US$40 for the pair, plus postage.

Finally, there is Sportaid, who are based in Canada and the US, for a pair of their wheel covers, which are made from terry cloth and come in blue, they will charge you US$29 and they promise to beat anyone else's prices. Sportaid are the clear winner, when it comes to price, but do you know anyone personally that have had any of these wheel covers? Or have you tried them yourself? Which ones work the best? Or are they all as good as each other?

I have attached all of the links to the three different sites, so you can see their videos and judge for yourself. For the Rahadesign Slippers, go to: http for the Cool Hubcaps covers, go to: http://www.coolhubcaps.com/daily-living-aids/wheelchair-tire-covers.html and for the Sportaid covers, go to: http://www.sportaid.com/sportaid-wheelchair-tire-covers.html

I think I will definitely needing a pair of these for myself, I know my mop-er/vacuum-er/fiancé would be very grateful and so will my floors!

Dog poo