reenacting in a wheelchair?

[pambryda]

Good afternoon all!

I'm passing on a question from a nearby young woman who happens to be in a wheelchair, and is just beginning to explore attending events. I've done a search, and can't find anything relevant, though it might have been lost in the last upheaval...

Does anyone have any information as to modifications that needed to be made under such circumstances? (For example, a cage would be awkward, so a corded petti is a better choice for this woman, even if cages were more common by this point.) Primary references to people in similar circumstances would especially be appreciated.

Thanks very much!
Pam Kingsley-Bryda

[ElizabethClark]

Re: reenacting in a wheelchair?

I'd recommend a few layers of regular petticoats, rather than corded ones; the cords can be awkward and uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time, and plain gathered petticoats will be both period and functional for some who sits. Dresses might cover the feet, or be hemmed to show the shoes if desired--if cut at a "standing" length, they might be too long for comfort when sitting. I'd suggest light stays, cut short enough so as not to put any pressure on the legs in a seated position.

Several years ago, a good friend looked into this in order to provide her dad with a period-styled chair to use for her wedding. I no longer have the notes or images on my computer. I do recall that they decided the most accessible types of events would be "house" events, where he could sit either on a sofa or in a comfortable chair, and have help moving to other seats or locations, without using a wheeled chair. Another option they looked at was a lightweight wood/wicker chair (comfortable back and arms, footrest) with straight front legs, and back legs with auxilliary wheels attached, and a "push bar." The person using the chair is dependant on others to move it, which would be a big adjustment for those who are used to the mobility of a modern chair.

It would be fascinating (to me) for her to look into the life and mobility of period people with limited physical mobility problems--just taking up the challenge to attend events and use the same "technology" available to a person in the era would present some very unique impression options, and great "first person" education moments for all!

The possibly earliest example on this site is 1880s:

http://www.forrmobility.co.uk/Showroom/Museum.html

Several images here, again from the 1880s mostly, but the site is worth some searching:

http://tinyurl.com/ughlc

I couldn't find the era span for this historic site anywhere I looked on their web pages (oops!), but the costumed folks look pretty mid-century. How's that for lousy documentation?

http://www.waynesboroughhistoricalvillage.com/Artifacts/doctor03.jpg

This one has a large time-span listed, but would be pretty mobile:

http://tinyurl.com/y8avug

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: reenacting in a wheelchair?

If Susan Hughes is still here on our site she can refresh my memory but there was a wartime Kentucky young lady (I recall she died in 1864?) who was handicapped and wrote about her life. If you need to you can e-mail her at slhughes@fewpb.net.

Mary Custis Lee was all but handicapped and had a wheeled chair but it was not easily moved and there were no requirements by US or Confederate governments for access. These things and more do make it more difficult but there are ways around it as mentioned, house events will be better than field/active events.