Ivory

Abled people shouldn’t support disabled people because our innovation can improve their lives. Abled people should support disabled people because not doing so is unconscionably cruel. Because we’re people and deserve equal rights. They should support us even if it inconveniences them because really all that would mean is the removal of their privilege

And for those people who have access to mobility devices but might benefit from a second chair they can abuse without risking expensive damage…

Erik Kondo has made a website, Open Source Innovations, that details plans for DIY wheelchairs. These wheelchairs can be made from common materials like wood, plastic, and pvc. They are lightweight and can be custom fit to the user allowing from the same degree of movement you would get from a custom chair. And they are durable and easily repairable. (he has been stress testing his latest design by dropping it down stairs, dropping it out of a car, launching it across a driveway, and throwing it off a deck). Its 12lbs and I think he said its was in the $200 ish range for parts.

Don’t move. Obviously not a good option and also very likely to negatively impact your health.

Don’t use one. The number of injuries I have seen from this is quite high. Either from overuse of weak limbs or falls. In some countries it’s pretty common for paralyzed people to just drag themselves around.

Use a mobility aid that doesn’t work for you. Like a hospital chair. Or a broken chair. This is also likely to injure you. Possibly more so than the above link because it doesn’t fit you. How many people get repetitive use injuries mainly because the chair they use isn’t made for them. Even the ones that are literally made for them. Because the standard practice in some places is to assume you will gain weight or the technician who measured you wasn’t trained properly or thought they knew more than you or your doctor about your mobility needs.

Build one. Yes you might make a mistake but if you built it in the first place you can also rebuild it. You can repair it. It can grow and change with your mobility needs. You might actually exercise when you otherwise wouldn’t because you were previously too afraid of ruining your custom chair that you never tried traveling or swimming or skateboarding or … But now you can take your beach chair to the ocean or whatever.

Beg for money?

The Tube Post has been updated for 2026! Endless thanks to @andstuffsketches for the amazing art (!!!), @rowenabean for checking this over for me (all remaining mistakes are my own), @kelpforestdwellers for extra tips, and @appleyblam for an editing pass. Thank you all!