Getting the wheel deal
William Ng must choose the right equipment, so he checks out multiple sources before deciding.
William Ng uses a wheelchair because he was struck by polio. Choosing the right wheelchair is important for any user. But, Mr Ng makes such decisions with extra care. To him, a wheelchair is more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It can also be a piece of sports equipment.
Mr Ng has represented Singapore in various wheelchair sports including racing, tennis, basketball, fencing, body building and even dancing. The 54-year-old has since retired and now works at the Singapore Red Cross Society. He shares with us his experience of buying wheelchairs for his competitive needs.
Q: As a disabled sportsman, you had very highly specialised needs. How did you choose what wheelchairs to use?
A: There are many types of disabilities, some due to, for example, polio, cerebal palsy or paralysis because of an accident. These result in very different needs, so the type of wheelchair to buy is up to the individual. My wife is also disabled because of polio, just like me. We both bought similar wheelchair models, but the sizes are still different because of how we are built and what we need.
My wheelchair is custom-made and not cheap. But, for those who do not have the budget, they can buy standard size wheelchairs off the shelves. Choosing the right wheelchair depends on your level of disability and things like your budget, so you must understand your needs. Nothing is cast in stone.
Q: Do you seek out different information sources before making your decision?
A: Yes. I have used a lot of wheelchairs and through my travels overseas I also learnt about the different wheelchairs in different countries. I also go online to look up the different manufacturers' websites and catalogues to find out what is available.
It is just like if you want to buy a car, you don't go to one manufacturer. You go to different ones to find out what is the best. Nowadays, you can even go online to find out other people's experiences. And, it is so easy to access such information! This applies not only to wheelchairs, but also when you want to buy any product.
Q: How do you make sense of the different sources of information and sales pitches you encounter?
A: When I could walk around, I did not really bother about the different wheelchairs. But, I started paying more attention to them after I took up disabled sports. When I went for overseas competitions, I saw other athletes with more sophisticated wheelchairs and I befriended them and started asking them about such wheelchairs and how to get them.
That was how I learnt more, by asking other disabled sportsmen who have experience. Several of my buddies have also set up shops selling such equipment so I can easily learn more about the latest technologies through the people I trust.
Finally, there are also medical experts who can give you the basic information of what you need. But, everyone has their own view. At the end of the day, you have to judge for yourself what you need.
Learning from WILLIAM NG
William Ng has pretty unique needs. Most people do not need wheelchairs and even fewer need the kind of hightech machines that Mr Ng has used for wheelchair sports.
However, the information literacy that he uses to find the right wheelchair relies on skills that everyone can learn and apply. Here are a couple of lessons from Mr Ng:
Two super sites to visit:
William Ng uses a wheelchair because he was struck by polio. Choosing the right wheelchair is important for any user. But, Mr Ng makes such decisions with extra care. To him, a wheelchair is more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It can also be a piece of sports equipment.
Mr Ng has represented Singapore in various wheelchair sports including racing, tennis, basketball, fencing, body building and even dancing. The 54-year-old has since retired and now works at the Singapore Red Cross Society. He shares with us his experience of buying wheelchairs for his competitive needs.
Q: As a disabled sportsman, you had very highly specialised needs. How did you choose what wheelchairs to use?
A: There are many types of disabilities, some due to, for example, polio, cerebal palsy or paralysis because of an accident. These result in very different needs, so the type of wheelchair to buy is up to the individual. My wife is also disabled because of polio, just like me. We both bought similar wheelchair models, but the sizes are still different because of how we are built and what we need.
My wheelchair is custom-made and not cheap. But, for those who do not have the budget, they can buy standard size wheelchairs off the shelves. Choosing the right wheelchair depends on your level of disability and things like your budget, so you must understand your needs. Nothing is cast in stone.
Q: Do you seek out different information sources before making your decision?
A: Yes. I have used a lot of wheelchairs and through my travels overseas I also learnt about the different wheelchairs in different countries. I also go online to look up the different manufacturers' websites and catalogues to find out what is available.
It is just like if you want to buy a car, you don't go to one manufacturer. You go to different ones to find out what is the best. Nowadays, you can even go online to find out other people's experiences. And, it is so easy to access such information! This applies not only to wheelchairs, but also when you want to buy any product.
Q: How do you make sense of the different sources of information and sales pitches you encounter?
A: When I could walk around, I did not really bother about the different wheelchairs. But, I started paying more attention to them after I took up disabled sports. When I went for overseas competitions, I saw other athletes with more sophisticated wheelchairs and I befriended them and started asking them about such wheelchairs and how to get them.
That was how I learnt more, by asking other disabled sportsmen who have experience. Several of my buddies have also set up shops selling such equipment so I can easily learn more about the latest technologies through the people I trust.
Finally, there are also medical experts who can give you the basic information of what you need. But, everyone has their own view. At the end of the day, you have to judge for yourself what you need.
Learning from WILLIAM NG
William Ng has pretty unique needs. Most people do not need wheelchairs and even fewer need the kind of hightech machines that Mr Ng has used for wheelchair sports.
However, the information literacy that he uses to find the right wheelchair relies on skills that everyone can learn and apply. Here are a couple of lessons from Mr Ng:
- On the internet, you will find websites of companies that want to sell you stuff. Don't expect them to reveal the weaknesses of the things they are selling. They focus on the good points. Other websites contain reviews written by buyers. These are usually more frank about the bad points.
- Even though the internet is full of information, notice that Mr Ng does not depend on it 100 percent. Instead, he talks to people he knows, like fellow athletes, friends and doctors.
Two super sites to visit:
- http://infolit.nl.sg/index.php/students/ for fun facts on information literacy;
- http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/index.aspx for your projects and assignments.