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I have a bathtub/shower insert and I use a padded chair.  I wheel up to it in my everyday chair (little bit of an angle) and transfer straight over to it since I have it set at the same height as my wheelchair seat.  It works great for me and I am also a T10 SCI. Here is a pic and link:

http://www.sportaid.com/search_list.php?brand=sa&catID=1008

 

It is also adjustable from left and right opening as long with adjusting the height. 

Yes ArkanWheeler, that is JUST like what i have and do. But I can no longer get off and over my wheel. I get on with ease and cannot get off without assistance. So i need a new solution. Thanks for your input. Akua

I am new to being injured and I am not sure about idiopathic transverse myelitis, but what I just read it only effect the arms in rare cases.  Are you one of the rare cases?  I am not trying to be rude but maybe exercise would help?  I built a cheap stand out of water pipes so I could do dips and pull-ups.

I am a T10 para as I wrote. Exercise always helps everything, doesn't it? But since I'm not able to get off as I Used to be, I believe my solution will be new equipment vs new me.

 

Hello I've been reading these threads and I think most of us are in the same boat when it comes to showering, or close to it. When I read your reply about not being able to get off and over your wheel. I had to reply. Please try a "sliding board" if you haven't. This should help you out alot. Please be careful about getting over your wheel. You can damage your skin very easy like that. I have had several decubitus ulcers which I have had to have flap surgery for. Not because of transferring like that, it just happened. I went for 20 years with no decubitus ulcers, which by the way is a fancy name for a bed sore. I don't know what brought mine on, all I know is I never want to get another one. You must be very careful with your skin and check it often. I know you can really damage your skin by making transfers from a chair to a shower chair. Just a word of warning. Nothing more.

If you have medicaid maybe they would pay for a shower chair or part of it? I think I will look into that myself. I'd like to go from my bed straight into my roll in shower instead of the bench I use.

I try to push myself up with my arms as much as I can. Trying not to drag my butt over.

 

Karen

I think you missed my original--- I used to be able to transfer on and off my shower chair, now i cant. I haven't changed, my environment has. My newly installed shower, unlike the tub that my shower chair was in, slants down. I bought a shower chair and can't get in. the shower has a lip. The agency that did my rehab had an idiot for a disability specialist. She didn't listen to me, nor did she understand what a person in a wheelchair needs. My shower is not a good roll in and in slants downward, thwarting my independence. I never used a slide board on the shower chair... it actually increases the level of difficulty adding more things to manage in the shower. I found it easier and easiest to put a towel under me after a showered to enable me to slide over and off the chair. However, I deeply appreciate you chiming in and sharing your experience and insight. I learn from all. Akua

I ALSO USE A PADDED SHOWER BENCH AND A SLIDING BOARD. I AM A QUAD WITH USE OF ARMS. I DON'T HAVE VERY GOOD BALANCE SOMETIMES SO I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. I LIVE ON MY OWN AND HAD TO FIGURE OUT THE EASIEST WAY TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE SHOWER. GETTING IN WAS NO PROBLEM, YOU SAID YOU ARE HITTING YOUR TIRE, ARE YOU SCOOTING FORWARD IN YOUR CHAIR BEFORE YOU TRY TO GET ON TO THE BENCH? I SCOOT FORWARD THEN GET ON THE SLIDING BOARD AND GET INTO THE TUB ON MY BENCH. MY PROBLEM WAS GETTING OUT, YOU CAN'T SLIDE WITH NO CLOTHES ON SO I SLIDE MY TOWEL UNDER MY BUTT, THEN MAKE SURE IT'S ALL THE WAY UNDER ME. THEN PUT THE SLIDING BOARD UNDER THE TOWEL AND TRANSFER TO MY CHAIR. I ANGLE MY CHAIR INSTEAD OF PUTTING IT FLUSH AGAINST THE BATH TUB AND IT DOES MAKE IT EASIER TO GET PAST THE TIRE. LIKE I SAID I AM A QUAD AND IT IS VERY EASY FOR ME TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE  BATH TUB BY MYSELF. SINCE I HAVE THE TOWEL ALL THE WAY UNDER ME IT MAKES IT EASY TO TRANSFER RIGHT INTO THE BED TO GET DRESSED ALSO. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!

Hi,

I use a padded shower chair also.  It's comfy, but does get slippery wnem it gets soapy, so be careful!  Also, Medicare/or Aid should cover it.  Good luck!!