wheelchair clothing
Keeping warm in a wheelchair during frigid weather
In South Central Alaska we have hit our tenth day in a row of double-digit sub zero temperatures. Seriously…it’s been -10 or colder for ten days in a row. That kind of cold really takes it’s toll…people spend an enormous amount of time just keeping their houses warm and their cars running. It also keeps everyone inside which causes cabin-fever. The kids haven’t had outdoor recess all week at school and they are going a little stir crazy. It’s very dark, very cold, very Alaska.
It seems to have affected my mental attitude a bit. Every day I sit down to write something upbeat, particularly after my last post which was pretty heavy, and nothing comes to me. All I can think of is how cooped up I feel and how sick of the weather I am. I am in a funk.
So, yesterday I thought I should at least show you just how bundled up I can get Quincy to keep her safe in this weather for the few minutes that it takes each day to get her on and off the bus. (That, of course, is when the bus is operating and this morning it too gave in to the cold and broke down).
The first layer is a puffy down jacket and a windproof, waterproof fleece lined leg bag. This keeps her feet, legs and body warm.
Over this layer is a windproof, waterproof, fleece lined cape with a hood that covers everything. This is great for stopping the bone-chilling wind that always accompanies our cold weather. A pair of thumbless mittens and a knit cap and she is ready to roll. Actually, to be honest a knit cap is really tough…Quincy moves her head around a lot and the hats usually just fall off or fall down over her eyes. This is why the hood on the cape is so great…keeps her head warm without falling off.
Just like any of us, Quincy really doesn’t mind the cold weather when she is protected from it. In fact, this week she definitely has a much better attitude than I do about being outside.
p.s. Apologies to my brother who is a professional photographer…I am a bad photographer with a really lousy camera and these photos are terrible. But, hopefully everyone gets the general idea.
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National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC)
