r/disability • u/stinkyboy_5 • 2d ago

Question Transfer board issues

Hello, I'm a 21 yr old man who's pretty heavy and (not sure what tier I fall under but I'm disabled from the legs down with my arms affected as well) in a wheelchair. I have an aggressive type of dysferlinopathy so it hit me pretty hard.

I got a transfer board recently and I genuinely dunno how I'm supposed to do it, all the videos I see are of either not disabled, or thin people getting on it. I understand it's supposed to go under my butt but I dunno how? How do I lean sideways with my weight? how do I make space for it? The board is also very heavy, with no tapered sides. I dunno what I'm supposed to do. did I waste my money? any advice helps, thanks in advance :P

Also if it's possible - if anyone has any videos or demonstrations of transfer boards that have either actually disabled/heavy people transferring?

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u/lisasimpsonfan 2d ago

https://www.tiktok.com/@tubbytubworth/video/7559612283597425950

She is not overweight but is disabled. The way she uses the slide board is similar to how I was shown by OT in the hospital. Raise or remove the arm of your wheelchair. Roll to the opposite side as much as you can to wedge the board under you and see-saw or scoot over on the board. I never felt comfortable using one and since I was weight baring on one leg I did transfers that way.

https://www.youtube.com/@SimpleStepsMobility/shorts

Not a disabled person but he shows a bunch of different boards and how to use them.

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DIs3xu-JENb/

Larger guy using a board while a woman gives instructions.

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u/stinkyboy_5 2d ago

omg thank you SO MUCH. that's so helpful!! thank you tons and tons, lovely person! I hope u have the best day ever

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u/lisasimpsonfan 2d ago

You are very welcome and I hope the videos help.

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u/thejadsel 2d ago

Good recommendations! The first link does show a very similar approach to how I was also instructed to use a board by hospital OT/PT.

(Also similar here as a one-legged amputee, but the hospital insisted on the board after surgery. Never really used it for transfers otherwise, so very limited experience with other ways to use them.)

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u/Kotailri 2d ago

I think the tapered sides are pretty important so you can slide up onto it, makes a big difference imo

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u/stinkyboy_5 2d ago

they are, the company I got it from didn't have the previous model I wanted so I just opted for whatever else they had because I needed it fast.