How to Make Low Cost PVC Crutches,
Walkers and Wheelchairs
Published in 2005 by Freedom Wheelchair Workshop and Chiang Mai Disabled Center
in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Excerpts from … and distribution. Although disabled
people must depend upon these
donations for life enhancing mobility,
Chapter 1. Introduction: they are seldom consulted during the
The simple designs illus- actual process … . In countries where
trated in this book may not disabled persons suffer from social
look as fashionable or exotic stigma, it may also be insensitive to
as many mobility aids avail- hold media events which can cause
able on the retail market, but embarrassment or discomfort to
these simple designs perform chair recipients.
the exact same function while
providing low-income families with The Foundation to Encourage the
safe, sturdy, inexpensive, and espe- Potential of Disabled Persons and its
cially low maintenance mobility alter- Freedom Wheelchair Workshop sup-
natives. Our designs are not set in ports the concept that free foreign
stone. They are offered as designs wheelchair distribution must be
meant to undergo constant change embarked upon with care, with
and revisions, depending upon ter- responsibility toward verifying need,
The 45-page book, with nine with thought given to the availability
chapters in both Thai and
rain, disability, and the weight, size,
and age of the client. We encourage of spare parts and repair, and must
English, is available for free. always be accompanied by minimal
For a copy, contact: our readers to adapt these ideas to
your individual needs. hands-on wheelchair training super-
The Foundation to Encourage
vised by professionals. It remains a
the Potential of Disabled
total enigma why tens of thousands
Persons Chapter 2. Common Sense in Planning
195/197 Ban Tanawan Moo 8
of foreign dollars are repeatedly
“We build chairs to fit individual invested in gathering, repairing, pur-
Tambon Sanpheeseu people, rather than trying to force
Amphur Muang chasing and shipping mobility aids
disabled persons to fit inappropriate to countries like Thailand without
Chiang Mai 50300 Thailand
chairs.” Building a wheelchair at regard to responsible and recipient-
+56 53-853172
home from PVC water pipe provides sensitive distribution.
+56 53-240835 fax
assist@loxinfo.co.th
a wonderful opportunity to design the
walker or wheelchair to meet the spe- Empowerment
cific needs, and physical proportions From our perspective as wheelchair
of the individual disabled person. producers (especially disabled persons
Over the years we have watched who build wheelchairs); we oppose
well-meaning (but often uninformed) policies which tend to lock disabled
members of groups … distribute free persons into roles as recipients of per-
wheelchairs. petual public charity. We believe it is
wiser and ultimately more enduring
These distributions are often conduct- to empower disabled persons to par-
ed as “media events” in order to gain ticipate in all aspects of their daily
face or publicity … . Too often (and survival. The book is our example
unfortunately), it remains quite com- of disabled empowerment.
mon that little or no thought is giving
to inviting or empowering disabled
recipients to participate in planning
6 POST-POLIO HEALTH Summer 2006 Vol. 22, No. 3 www.post-polio.org
Chapter 9: Do-It-Yourself Diagrams Forearm or “Canadian” crutches
require forearm strength. Many users
feel that forearm crutches are less
PVC Crutch Measurements cumbersome and easier to use then
underarm crutches. As indicated in
Chapter 3, we recommend that cuff
padding be glued to the insides of the
two forearm cuffs.
Adult Walker
Diagram 8: PVC Crutch Measurements
Our two crutch designs are equally
simple to construct. The solid black Joint List
colored areas indicate the points at
which rubber crutch tips and foam
or rubber handle grips are added.
Measurements shown represent
average adult body heights. These
measurements will need to be appro- Diagram 9: Adult Walker
priately increased for tall persons or A PVC walker weighs approximately
decreased for children or short adults. the same as a manufactured alumi-
The lower segment on both crutch num walker, but is less expensive and
designs incorporates telescoping tubes very easy to make. The solid black
that allow for height adjustment. areas on the diagram show the four
Sometimes, on underarm crutches, rubber tips added for ground stability.
some people also prefer to telescope If you prefer a height-adjustable
the section from underarm to handle. walker, you can add telescoping PVC
Underarm crutches provide maximum tubes just above each of the 4 feet.
stability and are easy to use. The On our walkers, we add foam bicycle
disadvantages of underarm crutches handle grips. The reason that our
are that they may cause underarm two upper front PVC side connecting
chaffing and soreness. Soreness can tubes are curved forward is because
cause perspiration which in turn may the curve adds knee space for walk-
cause inflammation. Therefore, under- ing. A simpler design would use
arm crutch users are encouraged to straight connecting tubes. s
keep underarm areas clean and dry.
www.post-polio.org POST-POLIO HEALTH Summer 2006 Vol. 22, No. 3 7