5 Inspiring Audiobooks for Wheelchair Users

Living with limited physical capabilities can be challenging and life-changing for many people. In the US, approximately 3.3 million people use wheelchairs due to progressive disabilities that hamper mobility. Navigating life with restricted mobility limits many activities, which can stifle one’s freedom or independence. Without proper support, this can also affect emotional wellness, leading to poor mental and emotional states.

This makes tools to help people with physical disabilities participate in the world particularly crucial. Our Redman Chief 107-ZRx is uniquely designed to mimic your body and support mobility through an exclusive counterbalancing system. But while our Redman Power Chair can help wheelchair users overcome physical challenges, tools that can help you overcome emotional challenges are equally important. Luckily, resources like audiobooks are now available to help wheelchair users improve their mental and emotional well-being.

But how exactly are audiobooks helpful for wheelchair users, in particular? Below, we look at how audiobooks help and provide five inspiring titles that wheelchair users can draw inspiration from.

Why audiobooks?

Research shows that audiobooks can be a valuable tool for improving mental health. Listening to compelling stories and narratives can offer a reprieve from negative and stressful thoughts that can affect one’s overall mood.

Also, audiobooks appeal to audiences because unique features like narrator performance and background music can improve emotional connectedness. They’re also incredibly accessible for wheelchair users since they can be stored in a digital device, avoiding the need to carry a bulky book, which could further limit your movements.

Today, wheelchair users can access many inspirational self-improvement audiobooks on the ebook and audiobook platform Everand, including Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion and Rachel Hollis’ Didn’t See That Coming. Users can also set a sleep timer on audiobooks, so they won’t have to move to turn it off before sleeping, making listening experiences more convenient. Likewise, OverDrive provides access to your local library’s audiobook catalog, where you can find other inspirational titles.

Here are some audiobooks to check out:

Five inspiring audiobooks for wheelchair users

Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig 

According to Statista, 40% of disabled individuals in the US experience loneliness and social isolation. Wheelchair users, or disabled people in general, are likely to feel more alone due to prejudice. To offset feelings of loneliness and isolation, you can try listening to Rebekah Taussig’s Sitting Pretty, a seven-hour audiobook that details the author’s personal experiences that people with disabilities face daily. In a general sense, the audiobook is an attempt to normalize telling disabled people’s narratives without judgment. The material recognizes and validates the struggles that disabled individuals encounter, helping you feel seen and inspiring you to live fully despite the circumstances.

Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff 

Research shows that having a disability can significantly affect self-esteem, which can contribute to loneliness among wheelchair users. Luckily, Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion can help you be kinder to yourself. With an extensive runtime of nine hours, the audiobook is an inspiring guide on how to leave insecurities behind and limit self-criticism by encouraging and supporting yourself more. It contains positive self-talk strategies that can help you turn setbacks into assets, enabling you to embrace challenges as a natural part of life. The audiobook, written by a medical expert, offers action plans for dealing with daily struggles.

Limitless by Mallory Weggemann 

Who says being in a wheelchair means the end of the world? In Mallory Weggemman’s inspiring memoir Limitless, the Paralympic gold medalist shares stories of triumphs and success despite being paralyzed from the waist down. Weggemann’s condition didn’t stop her from breaking world records and becoming a world champion swimmer. The seven-hour audiobook, narrated by Weggemann herself, provides insights she learned on her journey and lessons on how to redefine limits, accept willingness to fail, and embrace your comeback. It’s a compelling reminder that no physical or emotional limitations can stop you from overcoming challenges that come your way.

Didn’t See That Coming by Rachel Hollis 

Unexpected circumstances such as accidents and illnesses that lead to limited mobility can be life-altering. If you’re looking for inspiration and comfort despite your situation, you can listen to Rachel Hollis’ Didn’t See That Coming. The audiobook only runs for four hours, but it contains essential tips on turning difficult moments into learning experiences that can help you grow. As New York Times bestselling author Hollis notes in this audiobook, it’s up to you how you decide to overcome challenges–whether you learn from them or get stuck in a painful experience. 

Hope Fights Back by Andrea Lytle Peet and Meredith Atwood 

If you feel hopeless about your situation, you can listen to Andrea Lytle Peet and Meredith Atwood’s Hope Fights Back. The audiobook chronicles Peet’s inspiring journey of finishing 50 marathons despite living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It’s an inspiring story that proves you can control your life and overcome hurdles despite the odds. The audiobook, which runs for 10 hours, has a bonus audio content of the author’s interview so listeners can get inspired by her insights on living life to the fullest amidst experiencing mobility issues.

Living with restricted mobility can present many challenges, both physically and emotionally. Luckily, resources like these audiobooks can inspire wheelchair users to continue with their lives and conquer obstacles along the way.

Written by Margaret Hardy for Redman Power Chair