Many people find themselves temporarily handicapped after surgery or when recovering from a serious illness. They may need a wheelchair for a few days, or even a few weeks. People who face chronic disabling health problems, or who find themselves partially paralyzed, may require a wheelchair for years, or even the rest of their lives. Custom power wheelchairs are perfect for these individuals.

In past years, many individuals who were confined to wheelchairs were unable to afford the cost of an upgraded power model. Today, however, most insurance companies, as well as government medical assistance such as Medicare and Medicaid, cover a large portion of the cost of these devices. This allows individuals more mobility and freedom, and allows them to be less dependent on friends and family members.

These custom devices are designed especially for the needs of the person who is purchasing it. Every aspect of the chair, from the wheels to the headrest cushion, is created exactly as the purchaser specifies. Even the seat angle is selected by the buyer.
Most manufacturers allow the wheelchair's prospective owner to determine the material, color, and even the frame construction of their purchase. In addition, the owner may choose between the types of steering joysticks offered by the company. All of these decisions allow the buyer to develop a product that is made exactly to fit his or her needs.

Many of these wheelchairs feature standard speeds of four to five miles per hour. Those who wish to upgrade their chairs can select from custom speeds of six to eight miles per hour. This increased speed, for example, would be very useful to a college student who travels across the campus between classes, or to an office worker who travels throughout the building during a workday.

In addition, some companies offer wheelchairs that cater specifically to people interested in sporting activities. Some disabled youths and adults enjoy participating in events such as the Handicapped Olympics, but don't have the upper arm strength necessary to maneuver manually operated wheelchairs. Custom power wheelchairs afford these people an opportunity to enjoy participating in games like this.

Many custom wheelchairs are often manufactured with additional battery power. Some also advertise the capacity to configure the purchase with extra batteries. This feature is necessary for those who depend on ventilators for breathing, or other essential medical life support devices.

No one wants to be confined to a wheelchair permanently or for a long period of time. Some people, however, cannot get around without them. Custom power wheelchairs offer these people much more independence in their pursuit of happiness.