Wheelchair Vans May Be a Necessity for Muscular Dystrophy Patients

For people with full-functional abilities, it’s not difficult to put on shoes and go wherever they please. However, those with disabilities need wheelchairs to enable their mobility, improve their ability to perform self-care activities, and promote a sense of independence. Without a doubt, wheelchairs are beneficial for both the disabled and their caregivers.

There are numerous causes of motor disability, including inherited conditions of the musculoskeletal or neurological system, trauma, or stroke. Muscular dystrophy falls under the former category and is a disabling condition in which a wheelchair is essential for those with the disorder.

A vast number of individuals suffer from MD and will ultimately need assistance in moving at some point. In such cases, powered wheelchairs become an essential, life-saving tool. These wheelchairs help patients move around freely, increase their confidence, and raise their self-esteem. Individuals who use wheelchairs should also have access to vans that accommodate a wheelchair. Although they may be a bit costly, these vans can provide a higher quality of life for individuals suffering from MD, and they are a good mode of transportation that ease concerns for everyone.

The various types of MD share similar characteristics, so the same kinds of symptoms are often experienced by individuals with different types of MD. Weakening of the skeletal muscles is the most common progressive symptom, for which there is no cure, nor is there a way for the individual to regain their muscular structure. Due to this loss, the patient becomes unable to climb stairs, run, walk, raise their hands, or even stand up. Since the spine is supported by the skeletal muscles, deformities can also arise in the spine for those suffering from MD. Apart from physical health issues, MD is also known to affect the mental health of the individual, and it is not uncommon for them to develop depression or anxiety disorders.

Myotonic muscular dystrophy is a type of MD characterized by myotonia and is known to occur when the muscles stay contracted after performing any kind of movement. This disorder can affect both males and females. Those who suffer from MD are not expected to have a long lifespan. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is considered to be the most severe of all the forms of MD. It is known mostly to affect boys at a very early age, and by the time the child is between 8 and 12 years old, they become bound to wheelchairs. Apart from the loss of mobility and muscular deterioration, those who suffer from DMD also commonly face complications such as cognitive-related issues, lung disorders, and postural deformities. In this case, the average lifespan is approximately 25 years.