Steampunk wheelchairs: embracing whimsicality and empowering disability

Uncover the reasons why steampunk wheelchairs serve as an exceptional match for individuals who wish to express their distinctive style while embracing the realities of disability. Delve into the fascinating intersection where Victorian-inspired aesthetics meet innovative mobility aids. Imagine a future where artistry and practicality unite to craft personalized steampunk wheelchairs that reflect individuality and enhance mobility.

Anyone I know basically knows me for not growing out of my pink princess stage. I’ve never stopped loving ballgowns, sparkles, and all things girly. My childhood obsession with Barbie and American Girl dolls turned into a love for history, with a special emphasis on the Victorian era. And I’m not the only one. 

There’s a whole subculture of people who make historical or historical-inspired dresses and host balls where everyone shows up in period clothing.

Before I go any further, I’d like to point out that I’m aware that the past was really sucky for disabled people. Historical style, not values. Seeing all these women in gorgeous gowns, both in old portraits and modern recreations, I wanted to do the same. But there’s one major thing: I have a big, black wheelchair.

I know, I know. We’re in the decade where everyone is beautiful and can wear whatever they want, no matter the body. But c’mon! Sometimes, medical equipment just looks, well, medical. We all have different styles, but our most important accessories don’t always express who we are.

As a teenager, I discovered the Victorian-inspired world of steampunk and immediately fell in love with it. It’s whimsical. It’s beautiful. And most importantly, disability is a major element of it. If you don't know what I am talking about, check out some of the amazing photos of steampunk wheelchairs at cosplay conventions.

I remember looking through my coloring book; one of the first images was of a man wearing goggles with a bionic arm. In my college writing club, I wrote a short scene with a man who had a jeweled eye, and another girl said how steampunk it was. I also spent hours on Goodreads admiring the covers of books about girls with clockwork hearts. Having two steel rods in my back, I began to feel steampunk myself. And it felt badass. And I fell in love, not literally, of course, with steampunk wheelchairs.

The interesting thing about things such as prosthetics, artificial organs, machinery, and other such things invented to help disabled people is that they’re a major element in steampunk culture. 

Numerous able-bodied cosplayers skillfully transform into their favorite characters by creatively using fabricated body parts, intricate mobility aids, and stylish steampunk wheelchairs. When you really think about it, practically any inorganic part of the human body or mobility aid can be reimagined and embellished with a steampunk flair.

For those of us who are disabled, we are essentially already halfway to achieving that aesthetic with minimal effort required. All we need to do is put on our iconic tophats and fashionable goggles, and we are ready to go!

Growing up, I wondered how on earth my dream wedding would look elegant with my wheelchair. In my fairytale princess fantasies, I would imagine myself as abled because, in my mind, disability aids and ballgowns just didn’t mix. And my orthopedic braces or whatever else I had just made me feel like I was more different from everyone else.

Now, I look forward to getting new devices (and imagining how cool it would be to have a steampunk wheelchair built for me). When I used to see them as ugly, I now see them as one step closer to becoming a super powerful steampunk queen driving her steampunk wheelchair, even if all I’m wearing is a baggy, relaxed disability t-shirt.

Okay, but I will admit, many manufacturers still put function way too much over form, but progress is being made in the aesthetics department. While the things we use out and about are cool, a lot of our home equipment is still all the same. Seriously, they’re somehow all the exact same shade of blue. 

With the steampunk community's creativity, I’d be so excited to see them partner with manufacturers. They could make my dream of living in a Victorian home come to life without sacrificing how it looks, as I’m sure many other disabled people feel. They could design for me a functional but whimsical steampunk wheelchair. How pretty our space and chairs are affects our mental health, after all.

Unfortunately, I see steampunk kinda starting to die out. Or, at least, it wasn’t as big as it was ten years ago. I’d like to see steampunk and steampunk wheelchairs become more mainstream because it doesn’t view disability through a medical lens. It makes our condition who we are part of our story. And it makes corsets and tophats ten times more awesome!