Many members of our community handle mobility challenges as a part of their daily life. These can come from many causes, like knee injury or surgery, cerebral palsy, or maybe just a temporary issue that requires rehabilitation.
Every July, we celebrate Wheelchair Beautification Month as a nation. During this time, we look for ways to decorate wheelchairs with appealing accents—in a way that improves the overall safety of those with mobility challenges.
How to Celebrate National Wheelchair Beautification Month
Did you know that National Wheelchair Beautification Month was founded by author and illustrator, Horace Knowles? He’s best known for his magical depictions and biblical illustrations.
He began National Wheelchair Beautification Month with simple decorations, like attaching live and artificial flowers to the wheelchairs of those in the community. But it quickly grew into a community event where everyone can participate in festive decorations, displays, and even parades!
Let Your Creativity Celebrate With You
The goal of National Wheelchair Beautification Month is ultimately to brighten the day of the wheelchair user, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun with it too! Let your creativity lead you as you create festive decorations for the wheelchair or walker.
With that in mind, let your imagination go wild! Here are a few ideas that you could try out:
- Fresh flowers: There’s a reason this was Horace Knowles’s first option. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also smell fantastic. Use temporary materials to attach floral tubes to the chair and add all of your favorite stems. (Artificial flowers are also an excellent option for those who are looking for long-lasting decorations.)
- Pipe cleaners: Create fun, interesting designs with pipe cleaners and then wrap them on the wheelchair. You can also wrap them around the wheel spokes for added flair! They’re easily removable and won’t mess up the chair’s functionality.
- Tape: Use printed tape to wrap the chair for an easy, decorative design! (This could leave a sticky residue. Be sure you have the wheelchair user’s permission and maybe have a can of goo-gone handy.)
What’s next? Show off those designs! Have a parade to celebrate all the beautiful designs.
Remember to Be Mindful
For those with mobility issues, a wheelchair or walker is their independence and freedom to move on their own. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of the device’s finish and functionality. You’ll only want to use materials that are temporary and won’t cause long-term damage. This means no paint, glue, or other permanent materials.
RMC is Here to Help
If you’re planning to celebrate National Wheelchair Beautification Month, we’d love to hear from you! Send us a picture of your decorations and designs, and we’ll maybe even feature them on our social media channels!