The second group of "permanent" wheelchair users include those who must use their wheelchair anytime they are moving about and often continuing to sit in their wheelchair while stationary as well. The only exception to this would be when the individual is in bed, using the restroom, taking a shower or bath, or in any other situation in which they are at a location that does not require them using their wheelchair at that moment. In short, anytime these individuals must move about and often while sitting in one location, they must use their wheelchair.

Within the group of "continuous" wheelchair users, there are a number of subgroups.

Continuous Users Of Manual Wheelchairs

Those who use manual wheelchairs include those who have sufficient strength to move themselves aound in their manual wheelchair -- sometimes for long distances -- and those whose circumstances make use of a manual wheelchair more practical and suitable for them than use of a powered wheelchair.

The manual wheelchair users who have sufficient strength in their arms to move themselves in their wheelchairs -- sometimes for long distances -- prefer to do this as a means of "keeping in shape" and thus either do not feel the need to use a powered wheelchair at all or who need use a powered wheelchair only for the longest distances.

Others whose circumstances make use of a manual wheelchair more practical for them would include those who either cannot afford to purchase a powered wheelchair or who do not desire to use one. These individuals may have someone available to them who is willing and able to push them where they need to go in the manual wheelchair. Users of the foldable or collapsible manual wheelchairs can often place these -- or have them placed -- in their own motor vehicle or someone else's and thus travel with relative ease to various places and to take their manual wheelchair with them. It goes without saying that the task of folding or collapsing a manual wheelchair that can be folded or collapsed is much, much easier than would be the task of disassembling a powered wheelchair and loading its components onto a vehicle.

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