title: The experience of being grounded: a phenomenological study of living with a wheelchair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this existential-phenomenological study was to investigate the experience of being in a wheelchair. It was a prelude to a pilot study examining the effect of "seated" Tai Chi.
  
  
  METHODS
  An interpretive research group was used as were direct quotations to support the analysis. The interview question was as follows: "please describe specific experiences you have had in your wheelchair that stand out for you."
  
  
  RESULTS
  The interrelated themes were (a) humiliation, (b) frustration, (c) loss, and (d) humility, arising from a ground of self as disabled and time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The accommodations from the ADA Act have greatly facilitated the independence for those who are disabled, yet many obstacles remain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People using wheelchairs experience the same health problems as the able-bodied and are thus found in all areas of nursing practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA. Janet-Secrest@utc.edu
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barlew
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Secrest
authors.forename: Zibin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fell
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haban
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Wheelchair experience; phenomenology; quality of life