Getting a powered wheelchair can be a great option for many people with mobility needs. In this article, Scheme customer Richard Christmas shared his experience of getting a powered wheelchair after a home assessment and test drive.
Keep reading to find out more and learn about how his new wheelchair has positively impacted his life.
Richard Christmas, who has Multiple Sclerosis, was effectively housebound for over two years as he only had a manual wheelchair. He didn’t have the strength to go very far. But, following a chance conversation with a friend, Richard now has the Sunrise Medical Q300 M Mini powered chair, which allows him to get out and about, and meet with friends at a local social club.
Simon Greenway from Lifestyle and Mobility in Welwyn Garden City undertook an assessment at his home to understand his needs and what he wanted to use the chair for. The Sunrise Medical Q300 M Mini powered chair is the narrowest mid-wheel drive wheelchair in the Quickie range. It’s 520mm wide and has an 1120mm turning circle, making it ideal for small spaces and tight corners.
This hugely manoeuvrable chair has all-wheel suspension, meaning it’s stable and safe. Its range is 36km, although Richard has only ventured a couple of kilometres to his local shops in Harpenden since getting the chair a few months ago.
Alternative mid-wheel powered wheelchairs
Quantum Edge 3 Stretto: This is one of the narrowest powered chairs on the market. Plus, it has an advanced suspension and seat elevation option.
Permobil M3 Corpus: This powered wheelchair has built-in Bluetooth and infra-red tech. It also has an Active Reach function, which allows 20 degrees of forward tilt.
Optional additional features are available such as the Q300’s Hi/Lo seat riser. It slowly elevates the user by 30cm, allowing access to high shelves in supermarkets. And it means users can have eye-level interaction with other people. A Sedeo flexible active backrest and comfort cushion offers lateral support and good pressure relief for longer trips.
After the assessment, Simon also suggested length adjustable swing-away footrests to give Richard easier transfers in and out of the chair.
“Richard was new to the Scheme and powered wheelchairs, so he wasn’t fully aware of what features would benefit him,” says Simon. “He required supportive seating to include tilt in space, and, as he is unable to stand for any period of time, the ability to raise and reach things was a very important life-enhancing option.”
Richard’s life has been transformed. He attends a social club twice a week:
“It’s really made a difference to my mental health. I’ve made new friends and it keeps my mind active.”
Richard adds: “I made the decision to lease my powered wheelchair, as it costs less than my mobility allowance. The remainder of my allowance is paid to me.” The three-year lease is fully inclusive of set up, configuration, insurance, breakdown cover and maintenance support with an annual on-site service.
Learn more about the Motability Scheme
The Motability Scheme provides an easy, affordable way to stay mobile. If you are in receipt of a qualifying mobility allowance, you can use it to lease a car, scooter, powered wheelchair or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV). Insurance, maintenance and breakdown cover are all included so that you can enjoy the benefits of a worry-free lease.
Eligibility
To join the Scheme, you must be in receipt of one of the following mobility allowances:
- Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Check whether you’re eligible to join the Scheme by using our simple eligibility checker tool.
To find out more about the Scheme, request a free information pack.
This piece was previously published in Motability’s Lifestyle magazine. If you’re not already receiving Lifestyle and would like to, please contact us to let us know.
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