With no balance, how do you pull yourself up to sit up in bed

[paramoto]

I am a T4 with T6 function. I get up by squeezing my elbows back, up to my elbows and push myself up, maybe helped by grabbing a little of the mattress border. I also have a bed that raises head and feet. Out of all the things I have spent on to ease my life, this is one of my best investments. Most others have been a waste, but this one I would buy again in a second. I also have my TV raised about 5 feet off the floor. When I go to a hotel it bothers the heck out of me to watch a low tv on a flat bed.

[Scorpion]

I'm a C-6 functioning quad, so my technique will be even easier for paras. Simply hook/grab the pushrim of your wheelchair, get up on that elbow, throw your other arm back and plant your hand, lean away from yur chair and throw back your other and plant your hand. Then, just "walk' up on your hands.

Just try not to think "my abs don't work, I have no 'balance', I can't sit up." You just can't sit up the AB way. It really shouldn't be a big deal for a para, unless you have extenuating circumstances.

[cali]

scorp, i grab my rim too and roll of to the side so i can push myself up with the other arm. life is easier to roll on your side then push yourself up in a sitting position, you guys! especially with spasms.

[sjean423]

I tug on the sheets some to lift up. And use them to pull me up a bit. I have considered attaching a strap to the frame of the bed on the side away from my side, with a loop to grab, b/c I keep untucking the sheets on the far side!

I lean up on my left elbow, tug on the sheets with my right hand to pull me up a little further, and get my left hand under me. I have my right hand crossed in front of me on the bed now. Then I push up to sitting, walking both hands up on my left side. WHen I do it like Scoorpion with both hands behind me, my shoulders don;t like it.

[Scorpion]

Originally Posted by cali

scorp, i grab my rim too and roll of to the side so i can push myself up with the other arm. life is easier to roll on your side then push yourself up in a sitting position, you guys! especially with spasms.

Yeah, my spasms tend to throw me back supine in my bed.

[cali]

here's some ways to get up from lying flat on your back, and also from the side with noting to grab onto. i did this video like 3 years ago and you guys might have already seen it.

http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j3...t=MOV00805.flv

[maryonwheels46]

YesI remember now a lot of them. I just got in the habit of grabbing my headboard.

Thank you a lot for the vidios.
My spasms slam me down sometimes also
Mary

[flicka]

Originally Posted by Scorpion

Yeah, my spasms tend to throw me back supine in my bed.

Admit it! Our legs could kick our ass if they wanted!

I always roll to the left, pinch a bit of the bottom, fitted sheet, pull myself forward and raise up on my left elbow.

For years, I had a rope hanging over my side of the bed to lift myself up with, but realized that I was like a fish-out-of-water away from home. I ditched the rope and learned to get up with what was always available. Still, if my abs decide to fight back and my legs join in the revolt, I'm hosed and flat on my back until 'they' allow me to try again.

[cass]

am c7. i lie on my side and bend until my arm can push me up. if on right side, get elbow postioned to lever me halfway up, grab leg with left arm to get completely upright. never have used anything but my body to get upright. takes some practice.

[flicka]

If I'm getting out of bed, I put both arms under my legs, roll slightly forward and swing my legs off the bed at the same time. That automatically puts me sitting on the edge of the bed.