Look for an organization of disabled persons. Perhaps you could find it through the local hospital. They would know all the best places to go, and which ones to avoid. Your friend is lucky to have you!

I am a weelchair-user myself, and I think I have an idea of how your friend feels sometimes: Having lost the ability to do things that she could do, before her accident, etc. But a lot of public places should be accessible, or 'made accessible' for people that use wheelchairs. You should be able to take her wherever she likes, or would like to go. If public places are not accessible, that is discrimination, and you may be able to take some kind of action, under the Disability Discrimination Act. Best wishes to you, and to your friend. :-)

ok here's my advice, i'll keep it concise and easy to follow (my best friend is physically disabled and I know this from experience) I live in the UK 1 according to the Disability discrimination act all new buildings completed after 1995 must (i repeat MUST) have full disabled access and suitable toilet facilities, if you have a problem with access find out when the building was built and contact the Disabled rights commission (I'm not sure of their web address but if you look on a search engine and click answers from the UK you should be able to find it) 2 decide between you where to go and then phone ahead to find out if the building has disabled access 3 if you are booking a table explain the situation to the staff at the restaurant and they should be able to accommodate you - if you're booking a table I would go into the restaurant and book the table in person so that you can see what it is like and if you think it is suitable also you can then make sure that the staff make a note of your reservation and ask about any requirements for access that you have if the staff are unhelpful or don't act in an accomodating manner i would contact the disabled rights commission and let them know I would also request to speak with the manager, failing that you could also write a letter or eventually boycott which is what my best friend and i did a few years ago when our local cinema did not have adequate access for disabled people

Find a handicapped accessible disc golf course. Being outdoors, moving from hole to hole will help empower her. (scout the course out first, to make sure it really is easy to access, and not just labeled as such)

Get in touch with a Physically Handicapped Center, they have lists of all places that have the facilities to fit wheelchairs. Good luck and God bless your heart. Regards.

Taking all of the other advice already given in hand; what did she like doing before her accident and is it possible for you to do something that you know she enjoys. Also, the weather is getting warmer so if she has been feeling low and not going out either maybe a simple day out with a picnic somewhere - just time out in the fresh air can lift the spirits a bit.

an all wheelchair basketball game you can show him or her that just because your in a wheelchair dosent meen you cant still have fun and acomplish your dreams

If she likes the Theatre they always have spaces for wheel chairs and in most local theatres and in some West End theatres both Wheelchair user and Carer get half price tickets

That is very good of you. I am sure that the UK, has passed similar "people with disabilities" acts, so there should be a lot of handicap stores, restaurant, etc. Great place for information is a physical rehab place, or the social worker at the hospital - a number of organizations are out there to assist you. I don't really know where she is at in her rehabilitation, or her self esteem, but how about taking her to a pool, so that she can get out of her chair and feel free for a little while - (again, they can recommend a safe pool for you. Best way to help her is to be her friend, try and make her laugh - and "gently" nudge her in doing things that she now believes she can't do - horseback riding, bicycling - just help her to understand that she has a great life ahead of her - and can do 95 or 100% of what she did before - But most important, be there for her and let her cry and really listen to her - right now, she doesn't really expect you to have any answers, she will just be trying to come to terms - Thanks for being her friend !

america

my first attempt to answer your question got lost in cyberspace somewhere, so let me try again. first of all, you are a wonderful person, and the fact you are working with your friend to make her life better is truely a gift from heaven. Being in a wheelchair is certainly a difficult issue to swallow when you have led an active life. but there is reason to know a rainbow is around the corner as i will tell you in a second. simply stated, dont worry about wheelcahir access, laws and all that that have been presennted to you. just get outside to a park, bring a lunch and listen to the sounds all around. life is still great, and being outside lets the mind and body communicate in ways not thought of before being injured. the reason the rainbow is around the corner? three and a half yrs. ago i was struck by lightning, and needless to say survived though my docs and rehab people said i would never walk again ---- i felt depressed for a while, thinking of why this happened to me, and what would life be like ---- being an ex jock, i made up my mind that i would walk again, and just two months ago i made my first steps on my own, even if they were only baby steps. i cried like a baby as this was a goal i needed to make, and i did it. share your hope with your friend, and let her know life is still wonderful, and though things might seem bleak now, she is in control of her future no matter what anyone says. she can do it, and she will with friends like you. there will be ups and downs, but positive mindset will get her up. god bless you and your friend

I am in a wheelchair and when I go out there are two things I look for. Accesability and wheel chair accessable washrooms. The rest is fun when those details are taken care of. I go where ever I want. Have some fun!