A manual wheelchair is powered either by the individual using the wheelchair or by an assistant.electric wheelchairs for sale The most commonly recognized manual wheelchairs are seen at hospitals and nursing homes. Individuals who have the strength and endurance to independently propel the wheelchair typically use manual wheelchairs. They can propel the wheelchair in different ways. For instance, individuals with a spinal cord injury can use their upper extremities. Individuals who have had a stroke that affects only one side of the body can use one upper extremity and one lower extremity. Individuals who have neither the strength to walk without a walker or cane nor the endurance to walk with one can use their lower extremities. An assistant or attendant propels the manual wheelchair when individuals cannot do it themselves.