‘Reserve is no place for a wheelchair’: Challenges to consider during wheelchair provision intended for use in First Nations community

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the post-rehabilitation experiences of First Nations persons with spinal cord injury who returned to live on reserve using a wheelchair.

Method. A phenomenological approach with purposive sampling was employed to recruit participants with spinal cord injuries who used a wheelchair and lived in a First Nations community. Data were collected using a short demographic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview.

Results. Most participants returned to live on reserve in homes that were not wheelchair accessible and only two had home assessments completed. Nearly all either moved to modified homes or had homes purpose built for them after waiting considerable periods of time to relocate. However, only one of these homes was considered completely accessible. Participants identified other challenges they coped with including the effects of other medical conditions, negotiating reserve terrain and accessing cultural activities.

Conclusions. The findings show that policy changes are required regarding the allocation of funding to ensure accessible on reserve housing for First Nations persons with a SCI. Further recommendations were made regarding the cultural content of health professional curricula as well as the need for health professionals to liaison more closely with Aboriginal health care workers.

Keywords:

• Wheelchairs
• health professionals
• accessibility
• cultural environment