if you had to adapt a wheelchair seating system for a leg amputee, but didnt have traditional materials?

(say you were in a impoverished country/town), what would you use?

The most important thing is to be aware of what materials and resources are available to the community.

Modern wheelchairs even low end ones seen in hospitals and shopping malls are not practical in impoverished communities. They are made to roll on flat floors or concrete. In the few times I had to use a wheelchair I found them hard to manoeuvre on side walks parking lots. Using these things on unpaved roads and a variety of elements isn’t going to be easy. These things will break when exposed to the elements and unless there are the resources to fix them the person will be with out.

also donated wheelchairs are often adult sizes which isn’t practical for young amputees trying to gain independence during a critical part of life.

The solution in my opinion is wheelchairs made out of what is already there. IT has to be light weight, cheep, durable, and easy to fix by the owner or a local person.
One solution would be bycicle parts something already in practice. Bycicles are abundent around the world and their wheels can be easily modified to act as wheelchair wheels.
The seating can be made of wood recycled metals or plastics. Padding can be made from a wide range of salvaged or recycled materials.

The important thing is to build the chair to balance out for the missing body weight. There may be a need for a limb rest partiuarly during recovery. but you don’t want to suspend a stump high. This can shorten ligaments and eliminate any chance the person may have of walking with a prosthesis down the road.

Ross’ step by step demo of wheelchair accessible minivan and Permobil Permolock

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	Chrysler : Town & Country Limited 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY LIMITED ! WHEELCHAIR HANDICAP VAN ! $12,900.00

	Chrysler : Town & Country LX 2008 Chrysler Town and Country handicap wheelchair van rear entry free shipping $23,900.00

	Chrysler : Town & Country 2010 braun handicap wheelchair van 457 miles leather/loaded!!!!!!! $27,900.00

	Chrysler : Town & Country LXi 2002 Chrysler Town & Country LXi with VMI wheelchair accessible ramp $9,900.00

	Chrysler : Town & Country LXI 1997 Chrysler Town & Country Handicap-Wheel Chair ramp. LOW MILES “NO Reserve” $2,275.00

	Chrysler : Town & Country IMMACULATE 2010 T&C LX NEW POWER SIDE ENTRY WHEELCHAIR CONVERSION POWER RAMP & DOOR 32K MI $33,990.00

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	Chrysler : Town & Country Touring Chrysler : 2010 Town & Country Touring Braun Entervan Wheelchair Van 28K Miles $5,600.00

	Chrysler : Town & Country Limited 2006 Chrysler Town&Country Limited VMI Wheelchair Handicap Van $17,500.00

	Chrysler : Town & Country 2005 ChryslerTown & Country wheelchair van handicap $13,500.00

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	2000 TOWN COUNTRY CARAVAN HANDICAP VAN RAMP WHEELCHAIR 68K MILES VOYAGER HGH TOP $9,995.95