Wheelchair Wheelies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Chinese

One of the earliest records of a wheeled seat was depicted on a 5th century AD Chinese engraving as shown in the image. The Chinese, Greek and Romans later used the wheelbarrow and it is believed that disabled people were transported around on these.

There was a sketch made of King Philip II of Spain in an 'invalid's chair' during the late 16th century; a high backed chair standing on four small wheels.

Answer: Bath chair

The first wheeled chair specifically used to transport disabled people had already been invented by Stephen Farfler in 1655. Just under one hundred years later in 1750, Englishman James Heath made a new type of wheelchair to transport invalid ladies from their lodgings to visit the restorative spa waters in Bath.

This was later followed by John Dawson's invention of the Bath chair in 1783; a three-wheeled chair which could be pushed from behind, but allowed the user to steer from the front.

Answer: Pushrim

Many advancements were made to the design of wheelchairs in the late 19th century. Small castors were added to the front of the wheelchair from 1869. Hollow rubber wheels were added from between 1867-1875. Pushrims, or handrims, were added from 1881 and stopped the user getting dirty hands as they turned the wheels. Wheel spokes were seen for the first time at the turn of the century in 1900.

Answer: Franklin D Roosevelt

Franklin D Roosevelt was diagnosed with poliomyelitis in 1921 when he was just 39 years old. He tried different ways to alleviate the symptoms including metal leg braces and hydrotherapy. He took warm baths at the spa town of Warm Springs in Georgia, and later went on to set up the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation.

He put his political career on hold during this period of convalescence but later went on to serve as President after winning four presidential elections. Not many photos exist with Roosevelt in his wheelchair, but the image shown was taken by his close cousin, Margaret Suckley.

Answer: First electric wheelchair

George Klein (1904-1992) was a Canadian inventor who worked for the National Research Council of Canada. The prognosis for many paraplegic war veterans had so far been poor, but with the advancement of technology in the field of health and medicine, more amputees survived to live another day. For these disabled people, it was important to provide mobility so they could carry on with their lives near to normality as possible.

Many trials into power wheelchairs had previously been carried out but it was Klein's design which revolutionised the world of the motorised chair.

It included a joystick mounted on a plywood arm and a small motor, relays and two 12-volt batteries placed under the seat. The first wheelchair with built-in microcomputer was invented in 1980 by Dr Per Udden.

Answer: Mecanum wheel

Mecanum, or omnidirectional wheels, were invented by Swede, Bengt Ilon, around 1973. The wheels are made up from much smaller multi-directional rollers allowing the user to do wheelies for the first time. Wheelies were not just for fun, but to give more mobility to wheelchair users who had previously been restricted by an outdated and inflexible design.

A similar wheel system is used to steer mobile robotic devices as well as forklift trucks used in small spaces such as aircraft carriers.

Answer: Knee scooter

The knee scooter, knee walker or orthopaedic scooter, has been used as an alternative to crutches or wheelchair for those suffering with lower leg injuries. These can include broken foot, ankle, gout or even amputation. They are versatile and easy to fold up and store away when not in use.

The majority of knee scooters are used for a short time post-surgery, just to allow time for bones to heal and muscles to strengthen.

Answer: Paratriathlon

The rising popularity in wheelchair sports has seen an increase in the number of events during the Paralympics. The paratriathlon is classified into seven different sections including one for wheelchair users. The competitors first swim 750m, usually in open water, then use handcycles for a 20km bike race, finishing with a 5km run using a special wheelchair. Other Paralympic sports using a wheelchair include basketball, fencing, rugby and tennis.

Archery at the Summer Paralympics has been held since 1960, the marathon race since 1984, and judo since 1988.

Answer: Wheelz

Aaron Fotheringham (b. 1991) from Las Vegas, Nevada, was born with Spina Bifida and was given his first wheelchair when he was three years old. He started riding his wheelchair at skate parks when he was eight years old, his disability not stopping him from attempting some of the same tricks as an able bodied boy on a skateboard or BMX.

At 15 years old, he was the first person in history to do a backflip in a wheelchair, and four years later he was successful in doing a double backflip. He is now a minor television star and celebrity, appearing as stunt rider in the TV series "Glee", and competing at different sporting events.

The short description on his Facebook page says "Yes, i am wheelz. No you may not ride my wheelchair. I don't suffer from Spina Bifida, it suffers from me."

Answer: Progressive retinal atrophy

Hip dysplasia, arthritis and degenerative myelopathy are all canine health issues that affect the back part of their body. Progressive retinal atrophy can cause blindness and is not a reason for a dog to be issued with a mobility device.

Wheelchairs for pets have been around for a number of years now, with specially adapted carts fitted with harness for both small and large animals alike. The wheelchairs are not just for dogs, but also for cats, lambs, goats, pigs and even ferrets who can now enjoy their new found freedom. Wheelchairs can be bought commercially from companies such as Doggon' Wheels (USA), Wheels4dogs (UK) and Walkin' Wheels (Australia). Dogs frustrated by their immobility due to old age, injury or disability are given the freedom of tearing around their back gardens once more, wind in their fur, barking their excitement, and having a wheelie good time!