What side do you have your motorized wheelchair joystick on?

[ppony]

So I’ve had my Fold and Go for 2 years now. It’s made such a difference in my life. One thing I’ve contemplated doing but before I do, I wanted to ask you guys that know. Obviously, it’s personal preference, but generally, if you’re right handed, do you prefer the joystick on the right of left. Initially I thought right. But for as often as I lean forward to grab something or a door and end up inadvertently driving w my boob, , I’m wondering if left might be better.

Last time at bag check at MK, I had the police roaring when I accidentally boob-drove into the table. They really had a good laugh. My officer was bent over and had his head down on the table laughing so hard. It helped that I told them I accidentally boob-drove.

 

[SueM in MN]

My daughter is on her third power wheelchair. Her joystick has always been on her right, which was what her PT suggested.
From everything I’ve ever heard, the joystick is usually on the dominent side (although some people might prefer different). There are center mounts for custom power chairs for people who are able to reach it better there.

 

[ppony]

Thanks, Sue. I’ve gotten so if I plan to reach for things, I shut off the joystick to prevent lurching forward. Maybe I’ll just stick to that?

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks, Sue. I’ve gotten so if I plan to reach for things, I shut off the joystick to prevent lurching forward. Maybe I’ll just stick to that?

If it’s easy to change to the other side, you could always try it and see if you like it.
If you don’t, just switch it back.

 

[bluecruiser]

So I’ve had my Fold and Go for 2 years now. It’s made such a difference in my life. One thing I’ve contemplated doing but before I do, I wanted to ask you guys that know. Obviously, it’s personal preference, but generally, if you’re right handed, do you prefer the joystick on the right of left. Initially I thought right. But for as often as I lean forward to grab something or a door and end up inadvertently driving w my boob, , I’m wondering if left might be better.

Last time at bag check at MK, I had the police roaring when I accidentally boob-drove into the table. They really had a good laugh. My officer was bent over and had his head down on the table laughing so hard. It helped that I told them I accidentally boob-drove.

I'm right-handed and have the joystick on the right hand side. I've had the same problems as you with
accidentally hitting the joystick when I lean/reach forward. I agree with trying the power off option when needed (good practice anyway to help with battery life).

 

[fabfemmeboy]

So I’ve had my Fold and Go for 2 years now. It’s made such a difference in my life. One thing I’ve contemplated doing but before I do, I wanted to ask you guys that know. Obviously, it’s personal preference, but generally, if you’re right handed, do you prefer the joystick on the right of left. Initially I thought right. But for as often as I lean forward to grab something or a door and end up inadvertently driving w my boob, , I’m wondering if left might be better.

Last time at bag check at MK, I had the police roaring when I accidentally boob-drove into the table. They really had a good laugh. My officer was bent over and had his head down on the table laughing so hard. It helped that I told them I accidentally boob-drove.

Mine's on my right, which is my dominant hand. I have better fine motor control there, so I figured it was a good idea, and even when my arms 'go dead' for awhile my right arm's gross motor control comes back faster than my left usually. It can definitely be a pain with doors, since most of them are designed to be right-hand-open. I strongly considered getting the double-mount ability on my new (upgraded) Fold and Go for that reason, along with the facts that a) my bag goes on whatever side doesn't have the joystick, and it might be easier to fish around with my right hand, and b) I've taken up curling and need to flip the right arm back so I can get a better angle on the stick when I throw, but it would be nice to have the option to re-align my shot if I need to which would require the joystick to be on the left arm. You might want to reach out to the Fold and Go people and see if it's possible to add the opposite-side mount to your existing chair, either by yourself or by sending it back to the company for a few days.

 

[FrankDIS72]

My joystick is on the tight but I'm left handed. I've gotten used to doing many tasks with my tight hand.

 

[Groot]

I have to have my joystick on the right hand side because if it was on the left, that would only be asking for trouble . When you order the chair, you’re given a preference for what side you want the joystick on.

Also, if the joystick handle is an issue, you can change it out to something that’s easier to grab from BodyPoint. (like the one below, but be sure to order the 1/4 inch size.)

 

[NotTheBatesMotel]

Glad to know I'm not the only one that's boob-drove in front of security! I have a Fold and Go too. I'm right handed and had the joystick placed on the right.