Wheelchai

Chen Yun refused to use a wheelchair all the time. He said “Once in wheelchair, I will rely on it.” He did not use the wheelchair until 85 years old because of poor health.

It was in 1990 when Chen first used a wheelchair. Chen was going to recuperate in Shanghai as usual in that winter. Experts suggested that he must use a wheelchair for getting on and off planes in consideration of his poor health. A day before the departure, Chen insisted to have a walk on the stairs of the basement to see whether he could manage it without a wheelchair but raised heart rate and fatigue after the walk made him accept the suggestion.

The wheelchair was a gift from then President of All-China Federation of Trade Unions Ni Zhifu. Angles of the chair back and the pedal can be adjusted. The wheelchair is about 155 cm long, 71 cm wide, and 118 cm high when the chair back and the pedal are placed in the normal sitting position. The body of the wheelchair is of stainless steel construction; the chair back and the cushion are of sponge and spring construction. The rings beside the armrests are used to adjust the angles of the chair back and the pedal. Chen used to lie on it for dental checkup.

This wheelchair was discovered in the storeroom of Chen’s bedroom and sent to the Memorial in early January of 2007.