In weighing up the pros and cons of making insurance compulsory the government no doubt has highest in its mind the victims of such unfortunate accidents. But an accident is just that – an accident – and scooter owners themselves can be victims of unfortunate circumstance and unintentional error. Because of a snagged coat which reportedly caused the accident which injured Mrs King, a scooter driver faces the unappetising prospect of civil proceedings with the possibility of sizeable legal and settlement costs. Had she been insured those matters, or at least the insomnia inducing financial ones, would have troubled only the claims department of her insurer.

Of course accidents like Mrs King’s don’t happen every day. But they do happen. A Department for Transport survey last year found that seven per cent of people have either been injured by a mobility scooter or have a family member, close friend or colleague who has been injured by a mobility scooter. Scooter owners face further risks too, not least theft of or vandalism to an essential vehicle which may cost them several thousands of pounds to replace.

So whilst the government and vested interests tussle over the compulsory insurance issue, the question for the UK’s 330,000 scooter owners is perhaps more simple and stark: can you afford not to be insured? In response to Amess the then under-secretary for the Department for Transport pointed to owners’ obligations under civil liability law and added that “We do strongly recommend that mobility scooter users take out insurance.” It’s one government recommendation that Disabled Motoring UK readily endorses.

 Disabled Motoring UK Launches Low Cost Scooter Insurance

In direct response to the issues raised by cases like that of Mrs King Disabled Motoring UK has introduced its own low cost mobility scooter insurance.

Launched in association with leading disability specialist Fish Insurance this offers annual cover for just £75. Our policy provides extensive protection, including up to £2 million in personal and third party liability cover, alongside theft, vandalism, accidental damage and personal injury insurance.

Covering any driver it is designed to keep you mobile, with provisions for scooter hire, getting you home and new-for-old replacement of your vehicle.

Explaining the decision to launch the policy Helen Dolphin, Disabled Motoring’s Director of Policy and Campaigns, said: “It concerns us that a large proportion of the growing numbers of mobility scooter owners are using public highways without insurance protection. We see it as vital that they are given the opportunity to protect themselves and other road and pavement users by having access to good quality yet affordable insurance. This is what has driven our thinking in launching the policy as another membership benefit.”

She added that the move would also support Disabled Motoring’s campaigning work as Fish has agreed to donate £10 to the charity for every policy sold. “It’s a win-win. Our members gain exclusive access to low-cost insurance and in doing so support the vital work we do on behalf of disabled drivers, passengers and, of course, the growing number of mobility scooter and wheelchair users.”

* For more details of Disabled Motoring’s Mobility Scooter Insurance call freephone 0800 088 3049 Please have your Disabled Motoring membership number to hand.

 £50 off car insurance for Disabled Motoring UK members

As a result of recent negotiations Disabled Motoring UK is pleased to announce that members can now claim *£50 off Fish’s specialist disabled car insurance. This on top of discounts of up to 35 percent which the company already offers to disabled drivers. For more details call 0800 088 3049 and quote your Disabled Motoring UK membership number.

*new customers only not applicable to existing Fish customers

Related posts:

1. Car Insurance for disabled motorists
2. Motor-racing star Nicolas Hamilton becomes an Ambassador for Disabled Motoring UK
3. Corporate Members

Disappointed at the cancellation of the annual Aviemore Walking Festival a group of intrepid disabled ramblers from Fife decided to go it alone and travelled to Aviemore to sample the excellent network of accessible trails in the area. The eleven holidaymakers, who are all members of Forth & Tay Disabled Ramblers, spent a week in the area staying in a mixture of accessible self-catering and B & B accommodation. Seven of the ramblers use mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs to access the outdoors, whilst the other 4 are volunteers and carers. Thanks to the excellent scooter hire scheme run by the Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport Company several of the rambles on this holiday were made possible.

Loch Morlich all-abilities trail

The first day’s rambling was around the all-abilities Loch Morlich and Allt Mhor trails. To get there take the ski road from Aviemore towards the Cairngorms and after six miles you will reach Glenmore Forest Park. The Watersports car park is situated on the right at the far end of Loch Morlich. The Watersports Centre is the large wooden building on the beach beside the loch. There is a disabled toilet in the forest near the start of the walk and another on opposite side of the road at Glenmore Visitor Centre alongside the cafeteria and shop.

From the Watersports car park, follow the brown waymarkers parallel with the loch edge through some very old Scots pine trees. The route is circular and is virtually level all the way. This is an easy all abilities trail, partly alongside Loch Morlich and passing through old Scots pines. There are stunning views over the loch to the Cairngorms, which were snow-capped at the time of the visit.

Towards the end of Loch Morlich the path turns left away from the loch and follows the banks of the Abhainn Ruigh-eunachan through pine, birch, and alder trees. Nature abounds with dipper, wagtail, heron and sandpiper to be spotted along the riverbank. The path then bears to the left before reaching the pavement beside the road. Follow this to the entrance to the Glenmore Campsite on the left or pop in to the Glenmore Visitor Centre on the right for coffee and a browse in the shop. Turn into the camp site and continue through it to return to the start.

Allt Mhor all-abilities trail

This path starts at the Allt Mhor car park, which is on the left hand side of the road past the Glenmore Visitor Centre as you approach from Aviemore. It has an aggregate surface and interpretation panels telling the story of the native pinewood habitat. With stunning views up to the Cairngorm northern corries the path runs through pine trees with an abundance of heather, blaeberries and juniper along the way. The route returns via the river bank, giving a feeling of rugged terrain. There is a resting place and some picnic benches by the riverside. As the surface is good on the forest tracks the group did an extended version of the Allt Mhor trail having crossed the road from the Loch Morlich path, making it somewhere between three and four miles in total before returning to the Glenmore Visitor Centre for the by now ritual coffee and cake!

Cairngorm Funicular

The following day the adventurous bunch took a trip on the funicular railway to the top of Cairngorm. There are numerous disabled parking spaces at the top end of the car park plus an accessible toilet. There are manual wheelchairs available for use if required just after the ticket office. There is level access to the bottom carriage and it is possible to travel up to Ptarmigan Station seated in a wheelchair. The journey takes around 8 minutes. Once inside there is access to all areas via lifts – an exhibition area, a shop, an outdoor viewing platform and a restaurant. There is a steepish ramp out onto the viewing platform. From the viewpoint a ptarmigan and a snow bunting were spotted, much to the delight of the party. The temperature and the biting wind meant that no one lingered long – but long enough for Bee to capture a stunning photograph of a snow bunting.

Glen More Visitor Centre to the Green Loch

It may have been May, but the second day’s rambling started with flurries of snow outside Glenmore Visitor Centre. This did not deter the hardy bunch from setting out for the Green Loch in fairly cold conditions.

The route runs on tarmac past Glenmore Lodge then narrows to become a path, which runs all the way to the loch. The path surface has been greatly improved in recent years making it a more comfortable run. There are a few gradients along the way.

The loch is so called because the water is green. Legend has it that this is because the pixies used to wash their clothes in it. Following a stop for a picnic lunch it was a long 2 miles back after one of the scooters broke down at the loch and Helena had to be pushed all the way to the start but everyone deemed it a wonderful ramble!

The Highland Wildlife Park

A trip to the Highland Wildlife Park at Kincraig was next on the agenda to see Mercedes the polar bear and the tiger cubs, which had celebrated their first birthday earlier in the week.

Our resident adrenalin junkies, Maria and Leslie missed out on the excitement of the animals to go gliding at Glenfeshie, where Leslie did his first ever loop-the-loop! Well done Leslie – he’d celebrated his 70th birthday last November! A BBQ in the evening at the Capability Scotland chalet at Dalraddy Holiday Park, where 5 of the participants were staying, finished off another perfect day.

Inverdruie to Loch an Eilean

Loch an Eilean was the group’s third ramble destination. The start is at the car park opposite the Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre at Inverdruie and the route runs out via Black Park to Loch an Eilean.

A freezing cold wind was blowing down the loch but after a quick picnic lunch everyone managed to warm up by the fire in the visitor centre before the arduous route back via Lochan Mor – the Lily Loch… Some of the path surface had been washed away by the hard winter snows, making it quite an adventure! The inevitable coffee and cake at the Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre finished off the day and all was soon forgotten.

RSPB Loch Garten

A leisurely final afternoon was spent observing the ospreys at the RSPB Loch Garten site. Ospreys have been returning to Loch Garten for a number of years. When they first returned to Scotland to breed, this ancient Caledonian pinewood was where they made their home and they have returned every year since.

There are two car parks. The Osprey Centre car park has a rolled, even surface and there are three disabled parking bays. By prior arrangement cars may be driven to the centre entrance. Loch Mallachie car park has a natural, even surface.

There are toilet facilities behind the ticket desk at the start, one of which is unisex and wheelchair accessible. It is 25 m from the Osprey Centre car park and 325 m from the Osprey Centre. The visitor centre is 350 m from the car park along a wide, rolled stone path with a short section of 1:15 gradient. The access ramp into the centre is 1:20. Once inside, the Osprey Centre is on one level and has no steps or ramps. There are telescopes at varying heights plus interpretative materials for wheelchair users. There are also a number of different height viewing slots that provide excellent views of the nesting ospreys. Live CCTV pictures of the nest are displayed on elevated TV screens and RSPB staff can describe what is happening. Telescopes and binoculars are also available for use. Seats are available. Information displays with some tactile elements are easily accessible. The shop is fully accessible to wheelchair users and staff can assist with purchases.

There is a wheelchair available for loan from the Osprey Centre. It is advisable to telephone to pre-book or ask at reception on arrival. Staff are on hand to assist wheelchair users. Osprey nest microphones provide help for those with a hearing impairment. Staff assistance is also available to provide audio descriptions of the CCTV pictures.

There are also some excellent paths on the reserve, with red squirrels, dragonflies, woodpeckers and crested tits and more to be spotted.

The Aviemore area offers a multitude of trails, many of which are ideal for wheelchair, power chair and scooter users. It is also well ahead of other areas in the provision of other facilities for people with disabilities and in particular a good range of accessible accommodation and excellent disabled toilets everywhere.

For more information about our trip including details of accommodation, or if you would like to join the Forth & Tay Disabled Ramblers, please contact us for more information.

Disabled Ramblers organise thirty rambles each year, across the UK and Ireland. Rambles usually take place between mid-April and the end of October. If you’ve been inspired to get out and about then contact them at the address below and they can put you in touch with your local group. Many groups have all-terrain scooters available for hire.

Disabled Ramblers

Website: www.disabledramblers.co.uk

(there is an email contact form on this website)

Forth & Tay Disabled Ramblers

Website: www.ftdr.com

Disabled Ramblers Northern Ireland

Telephone: 028 9080 8090

Email: ramble@shopmobilitybelfast.co.uk

Website: www.disabledramblersni.com

Highland Disabled Ramblers

Telephone: 07895 066 965

Email: admin@highland-disabled-ramblers.org

Website: www.highland-disabled-ramblers.org

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It is with great sadness that Mobilise has to announce the death of our founder and president, Oswald Arthur Denly, known to many of us as “Denny”. He died at the age of 86.

O A Denly was born in 1924 in London, and entered the Royal Navy in 1942. He contracted polio whilst in Ceylon and returned to the UK in 1945. Paralysed from the waist down, he was invalided out of the navy and became a hospital administrator. The expectation of many might have been that Denny’s adventuring days were firmly behind him, but the handsome 22-year old thought differently. He had planned to spend his first Foreign Service leave in Switzerland and saw no reason to change his plans despite his disability. In June 1947 he set off to conquer the Alps in his 147cc petrol-driven Argson tricycle, or “Invalid Carriage”. His was to take him 1,500 miles over the Alps, including a climb of almost 8,000 feet through steep mountain passes.

He described the preparations for his journey in the pamphlet that was produced of his story by Villiers, the manufacturer of the Argson:

“The vehicle weighs 250lbs., with sprung front forks and frame, though there is no springing on the back axle. I cut the load as much as possible, but as I cannot walk at all I had to carry a small collapsible self-propelling wheelchair on the side, for use in buildings, my own bed in case there was no ne to carry me upstairs, and with food, baggage and myself the load was approximately 260lbs. To pack was an art in itself, but I found a place for everything. Could I make it? Many people doubted it, but nothing venture, nothing gained.”

Denny covered the first 460 miles from London in just four days, pausing in Paris to have a picnic beneath the Eiffel Tower. But on his arrival in Switzerland he considered himself to be officially “on holiday”:

“I never hurried, did just as I pleased and stayed the night where the mood took me…One evening my tricycle made its first climb up to the mountain resort of Grindelwald, 3,400 ft. high. There was little power to spare, but already I was beginning to wonder if I could achieve the impossible and cross the Susten and Furka passes in order to drive down the Rhone Valley to Geneva. Nobody thought I could make it and I was quite prepared to resort to thumbing a lift with the tow rope I was carrying.”

On top of the world

As the terrain became steeper, Denny had to resort to frequent stops in order to allow the engine to cool, although finding a level spot at which to do so proved difficult! However, he pressed on: “As I saw the road above me high on the face of the mountain I thought I would never make it, but my tricycle continued to take me higher and higher and I never ceased to wonder. Finally I reached the tunnel at the top and although […] I could see little, I felt on top of the world in more sense than one.”

Denny completed his journey, taking in some spectacular scenery and enjoying much hospitality along the way. One French family in Provins hosted him on both the outward and return leg of his journey: “I stayed up until the early hours of the morning, listening to tales of the German occupation, the resistance movement, and present day conditions in France.” This comment illustrates that not only was it uncommon for disabled travellers to be exploring Europe at this time, there were very few leisure travellers at all. The war had ended just a few short years ago and its aftermath would still have been visible all around him. No wonder, perhaps, that so many people had thought his trip was impossible. On his return, Denny describes the reaction of one such man: “The A.A. man who had wished me luck on the way out could not express his amazement at my safe return still under my own power.”

Inspiring others

The journey was clearly a truly liberating experience for Denny: “My chair had more than justified her name of “Iron Lung.” When I get into her she keeps me going […] I hope it will not be long before I am on my travels again, and I also hope that all users of Invalid tricycles and small engines will realise that they too can travel on the continent and high places.” This final hope was more than realised. When a radio programme was broadcast about Denny’s journey, he was inundated with letters from other ‘trike’ users, wanting information about how they, too, could travel independently. With fellow founders Robert and Nora Lee, Denny founded the Invalid Tricycle Association (the ITA). This later became the Disabled Drivers’ Association, which merged with the Disabled Drivers’ Motor Club to become Mobilise in 2005.

Although the Argson tricycle had given Denny his first taste of freedom as a disabled driver, it was just the first in a series of vehicles that enabled him to fulfil his dreams. Realising early on that a single-seater trike would not be much fun when it came to courting, he wrote directly to the chairman of Morris Motors asking for a car. By December 1947 he was in possession of an adapted Morris Eight and a full driving licence. He married the hospital radiographer Mary Gaynor Cookson (“Cooky”) in 1951 and they went on to have two children, Heather and Simon. Campaigning for proper ‘family’ cars for disabled people (rather than isolating one-seaters) was just one his objectives, although his experiences with the Argson seem to have continued with a habit of finding a place for everything even in the smallest of vehicles. For our recent article on ‘Minis and Minors’ Denny recalled a family trip up the motorway in which they tested the ‘Tardis” quality of their Mini to the max, tying the boot down to accommodate the family’s luggage and wheelchair! This once resulted in a bag of nappies falling out and being distributed along the recently opened M1 – whereupon a following motorist stopped, collected them up, overtook and handed the nappies back.

For the fun and the challenge!

Over the years Denny also became a keen rider and sailor. He had learnt to sail as a naval cadet and even ramming a 45ft Motor Pinnance into a jetty whilst at Dartmouth was not enough to put him off life on the ocean wave. After his marriage, he and Cooky became co-owners of a 16’ sailing dinghy, Leda. He wrote about his sailing exploits several times and approached sailing with the same optimistic outlook as he did his other modes of transport, and always saw the funny side of tips and spills: “I became quite adept at pulling by keeping my balance against the pressure of oars in the water. One day I gave a lift ashore to a fellow yachtsman who on stepping ashore gave Cygnet an unexpected shove and was surprised to see me lying at the bottom of the dinghy! I had completely lost my balance [but he had seen] no sign of my wheelchair or my complete paralysis below the waist.” Denny described sailing as “a great joy for me” and although there were a few years ashore whilst his children were little, the resumption of family sailing trips when they were a little older was a source of great pleasure to him. He was delighted when his son, Simon, began crewing for him: “He is an excellent crew, and his enthusiasm is infectious” and with their friends the Stephens family he and Cooky sailed their 14’ Leader, Aeolus, at Chipstead Sailing Club. With a few small adaptations: “[we secured] the toe straps further for’ard so that my paralysed legs and feet did not get all tangled up, or that was the theory, and I removed the tiller to hold both the tiller and the main sheet with one hand” he raced “not to win, but simply for the sheer fun and challenge of it all.” In 1981 he participated in the Leader Cruise from Lee-on-Solent, his first sea sailing event since his Navy days. Simon crewed and despite some rough weather (and an accidental trip through a firing range!) the trip was a resounding success. He wrote “My fellow sailors accepted me for what I was – an experienced helmsman – and made no fuss or bother about my disability […] This was true integration and what a magnificent return to the sea for me after all those years. Now there is no holding me!”

Greatly missed

As President of Mobilise Denny has been the “experienced helmsman” of our charity since its inception in 2005 and of our parent organisation the DDA for almost sixty years before that. He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and worked with him, but achievements have won wider recognition too; in 1959 he was awarded the MBE for services to disabled people. Mobilise is currently arranging a memorial service at which members of the charity and others will have the opportunity to pay their respects to Denny. Please see here for more details.

No related posts.

I had been having driving lessons with Rob Lukehurst (in his BSM Corsa with hand controls), and my Disability Living Allowance award letter had come through.  The time had come to look for a car.  I went to see Andrew Vernon, the Motability Specialist at Hartwell Oxford Vauxhall, for advice on what car he thought might be suitable.  I’d been to many dealers and didn’t like the look or space the other cars offered.  I was also fixated on having a small car.

Andrew was very welcoming and listened to my requirements i.e. a small car which I could get a 100kg hoist and my scooter/wheelchair inside.  Andrew was more realistic than I was and had many years of experience.  Opposite his desk was a Vauxhall Zafira.  “That’s a bit big!” I said.  Andrew patiently explained that to get a 100 kg hoist and my scooter/wheelchair comfortably in the back of a car it needed to be this size.  I wasn’t able to test drive the vehicles myself as I require hand controls but we arranged for a test drive for mum.

“It drives like a small car” was not what I expected mum to say, having test driven a Vauxhall Zafira Expression.  With its good looks and spacious, well designed interior it far outshone the Ford, Renault and Honda people-carriers that we had looked at.  It was smooth, the visibility was excellent and the seats were comfortable and easily adjustable. It didn’t take me long to decide to get the Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TCDi Design model on the Motability Scheme.

This model comes with anti-lock braking system, twin front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags, full size curtain airbags, electric front windows, remote control central deadlocking, steering wheel adjustable (although not when push pull hand controls are in situ), air conditioning, CD player/stereo radio.  The car is originally a 7-seater.  When fitted, the hoist takes out two seats.  When the scooter/ wheelchair is in the boot it means the first row of passenger seats are pushed up against the driver and passenger seats making this car a two-seater.

In addition to the above standard features, the design features include 16 inch seven twin spoke alloy wheels, dark tinted rear glass, front fog lights, multi-function trip computer, electric rear windows, driver’s armrest, driver’s seat with tilt and lumbar adjustment, rain sensitive windscreen wipers, leather covered three spoke steering wheel, alloy effect roof bars.  I had extra parking sensors fitted to the front.  There is a sports button which gives the car an extra burst of speed should you need it.  It has sports seats as standard (which Andrew checked I could get on and off).  I had extra tinted glass installed in the rear windows for extra security.

I was relieved and excited about choosing a new car.  It meant safe independence for me again.  The next hardest decision was the colour.  I had 10 to choose from – I went for Silver Lightening, a mid-grey metallic.

The week before delivery of the car I had sudden second thoughts.  My driving instructor, Andrew Vernon’s colleagues and the Motability Customer Service Officers were gentle, understanding and encouraging.  A colleague of Andrew’s took me to see my new car.  What an excellent idea.  On the phone the Motability Customer Service Officers offered non-directive advice and were very informative about the costs and ways of returning a car.  I was extremely impressed.  The car had grown in my imagination and when I saw it again it seemed manageable and perfectly suitable for my needs.  Rob (by now with the AA – who don’t have adapted vehicles) encouraged me and gave me confidence in the larger car.

Push/pull hand controls, an indicator switch (multiplex), 4 way 100kg hoist, tie down, quick release steering ball and boot strap were all fitted by SVO (Calne) Ltd.  I have only had one difficulty when the hoist switch failed, leaving my wheelchair hanging off the ground when loading it into the boot of my car.  The car was taken to SVO Calne the following day and the hoist was fixed there and then free of charge.

I’ve taken the car to the Three Counties Showground for the flea market on a number of occasions and it makes a long journey extremely enjoyable and comfortable.  A pleasure to drive, this car is highly recommended.

Good points

Excellent seating – adjustable up/down and forward/back

Excellent visibility

Automatic windscreen wipers and lights invaluable

Comfortable adjustable driving position

Spacious interior

Low boot sill for ease of access

Wide door opening

Doors are lightweight and easily opened and closed.

Bad points

No sunroof – I prefer these to air conditioning

Side pillar near side light at front blocks visibility at level of wing mirror

Diesel engine slightly noisy

Mum finds the indicator when driving the car using the sticks are difficult to master with Vauxhall’s own mechanism

Visibility is poor out of the rear window when the hoist is in use with either the wheelchair or scooter

Car seating reduced to driver and front seat passenger seats when wheelchair or scooter in boot.

Technical data

Height:  1635 mm without antennae

Length: 4467 mm

Width without exterior mirrors:  1801 mm

Width with exterior mirrors: 2025 mm

Width of load compartment: 1071 mm

Length of load compartment: 1088 mm

Height of compartment opening: 895 mm

SVO (Calne) Ltd
Unit K, Stanier Road
Porte Marsh Industrial Estate
Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9PX
Tel: 01249 815141
Fax: 01249 822241
e-mail: info@svoptions.co.uk

This article first appeared in the December 2009 issue of Mobilise magazine, which goes out to all our members and includes reviews of adapted cars and mobility equipment, features on accessible travel and leisure, campaign updates, news, competitions and real-life stories.
Membership of our charity costs just £16 per year and includes your monthly subscription to Mobilise.

Related posts:

1. Member review: Nissan Note Tekna 1.6
2. Member Review – Vaneo About Town
3. Member Review – The Jenny-Wiz powerchair

The Red Wheelies Mobility Formation Team like many things came about by accident.   All the team members have  multiple sclerosis and ride mobility scooters and  wanted to race their scooters, after all even lawn-mowers are raced so why not scooters? After some initial trials and tribulations to be allowed to race they found a suitable venue.  It was while waiting to race that a couple of the girls started weaving in-and-out of each other and eureka the Red Wheelies were born.  A dressage choreographer designed the original  routine, a uniform was agreed on and as the scooters being used were all red the name Red Wheelies seemed just right. The Red Wheelies were born and took part in fun days raising money for local MS charities.

Two of the original team moved to the Kent coast where they became members of the Kent MS Therapy Centre. Realising some serious fund-raising was required, they resurrected the Red Wheelies team.  Notices were put up in the centre asking for volunteers from the users of the centre to join. A number did and were surprised how much they enjoyed themselves.  As not everyone had their own scooter, local mobility company UK Mobility was approached and agreed to supply additional scooters. Soon 8 ladies could be seen practicing on their scooters in the centre’s car-park to the strains of Shania Twain.

Performances were made at a number of local fetes and took part in the wettest Herne Bay Carnival ever.  Wet Weather conditions became synonymous with Wheelie performances to the point where wet weather is now known by the team as ‘wheelie weather’.

Realising a much bigger effort was needed by the team to raise the sort of money that could really be beneficial to KMSTC, the group decided upon the idea of a charity walk. Due to the teams shared condition charity walks are normally not an option but the group were set upon the idea of participating in one themselves.  After one of the team went to Cumbria on holiday she suggested the team ‘walked’ Hadrian’s Wall on their scooters, in effect the team’s second pair of legs.

An email was sent to David McGlade at Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd, the company with overall responsibility for the trails, explaining the plan while asking for any help they could offer.  Their response was superb, leading to the company being instrumental in helping plan the route and introducing the Wheelies to people on the trail who could help.

Forever Active stepped in to offer the team ten Quingosports  scooters for the trek.  These scooters are fantastic, designed specifically for the terrain covered on the route.  Knowing the teams penchant for attracting ‘Wheelie Weather’ local firm Colmans of Herne Bay donated wet weather gear.

The trek should take approximately a fortnight to travel the 84 miles between Segedunum and Bowness-on Solway.  At the end there will be a lasting legacy of a trail that is truly suitable for all.  The team consists of 16 individuals – the nine actual Wheelies, plus seven long-suffering husbands acting as the teams support crew.   The team is treating it as their annual holiday, paying for their  own accommodation, travel and food expenses. As a result all money raised will be going direct to the charity.  Progress on the walk can be followed on both  www.redwheelies.co.uk and www.twitter.com/redwheelies.

The journey starts with  a Blessing from The Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, as the Wheelies move from one World Heritage site  to another – Hadrians Wall.  On the 11^th of May a  civic send-off from Segedunum by the Chief Executive of North Tyneside Council starts the walk proper, which concludes with a reception at the end of the walk with the Mayors of Allerdale and Maryport.

The Hadrian’s Wall Walk team are a diverse collection. Eight of the nine members are grannies, two celebrate their ruby wedding anniversaries this year, three will turn 60 before the end of 2009 and between them boast an impressive combined age of 542. The ninth member is an ex-wheelie who jumped at the chance to take part.

Planning the walk has been hard work but fun for the group.  Having done it all themselves, the team remain surprised at how much they have already achieved, beyond their own expectations.  The team hope to raise money for the charity, help create a trail suitable for use by disabled people, raise positive ms awareness – there is life with MS and to have fun and a memorable experience.

This article first appeared in the July 2009 issue of Mobilise magazine, which goes out to all our members and includes reviews of adapted cars and mobility equipment, features on accessible travel and leisure, campaign updates, news, competitions and real-life stories.
Membership of our charity costs just £16 per year and includes your monthly subscription to Mobilise.

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When people ask me why did I write Walking on Wheels, I have a stock answer.  “Because it was needed”, I say.  There was a complete dearth of information on barrier free countryside paths accessible to those of us requiring wheels for our mobility. That, of course, is only part of the story but the more I think about “why” the more confused I get.

Was it in my nature?  Was it my upbringing?  Would it have happened had I lived a century ago? Perhaps I was just part of our early 21st century, “go-for-it” attitude and saw an opportunity?

What I know for sure was that Walking on Wheels was part of my journey through life living with MS. It would never have happened had I not become an ‘MSer’, dependent on an assortment of wheelchairs and scooters for the past 10 years.  I feel very fortunate in my nature and my nurture.  I’m an optimist by nature and a problem solver by education.

But enough of soul-searching.  By the mid-1990s I took early retirement from my final post as a part-time typist.  Although I did not realise it at the time, this job was part of my journey towards becoming a published author. It gave me the basic computer skills.

Scottish Disabled Ramblers is born

Five years into retirement and I was becoming just bored enough to rise to the challenge of problem-solving my way back into the countryside but this time in my wheelchair.  I discovered there was a group in England called the Countryside Access Group run by the inspiring Dr Mike Bruton.  I soon found myself organising a similar group in Scotland.

First of all a group of service providers and disabled friends met together. In January 2000 we had an inaugural meeting and set up Scottish Disabled Ramblers (SDR) which was to be run by and for disabled people.  For nearly five years I lived, breathed, ate, slept and dreamt of all things pertaining to wheelchair countryside access.  I was, perhaps naïvely, very keen to promote an ethos of self-reliance and to encourage responsibility for oneself.  In an era of health and safety I felt I was walking a tightrope.  It was, perhaps, that tightrope that led to the demise of SDR but ironically it was also that ethos which allowed the growth and development of four autonomous disabled rambling groups in Scotland – all of which are still functioning to this day.

What next?  What to do with all this information I had collected? The next stage of my journey began.  I had new skills to learn, not least Multimap (a computer programme).  I had new funds to find and for this I am most grateful to Workability run by Leonard Cheshire.  I had a publisher to seek.

A eureka moment

Finding Bríd Hetherington, owner of Cualann Press, was the eureka moment.  And it all happened through serendipity.  I was looking in my local directory for a printer and after ‘printer’ saw ‘publisher’ listed.  There was only one publisher so I gave them a ring and left a message.  Several days later Bríd came to see me and took me on.  She turned my sow’s ear into a silk purse.

The journey has not stopped.  New paths open all the time and I mean that both literally and metaphorically.  New all-ability, countryside paths are opening up all the time.  And new paths on my journey through life as an MSer continually surprise me.  Having been asked to write this article is just one of many.

The success of my book, Walking on Wheels, of which 1400 have been sold, raising nearly £6,500, now means the Trust has the delightful task of distributing grants.  For years I have been applying for grants and now the table has turned and I am part of the team awarding grants.

More information:

For more information on the book see: www.walkingonwheels.org

Scottish Disabled Rambler Groups

Forth and Tay Disabled Ramblers  www.ftdr.com

Highland Disabled Ramblers        www.highland-disabled-ramblers.org

West Lothian Disabled Ramblers    Bathgate office : 07521320680

Angus Disabled Ramblers                Chairperson : 01674 830328

This article first appeared in the July 2009 issue of Mobilise magazine, which goes out to all our members and includes reviews of adapted cars and mobility equipment, features on accessible travel and leisure, campaign updates, news, competitions and real-life stories.
Membership of our charity costs just £16 per year and includes your monthly subscription to Mobilise.

Related posts:

1. Explore Oban: Accessible rambles and attractions

Oban makes a great base for touring this beautiful part of Scotland and has accessible accommodation to suit all budgets, from bed and breakfasts to country house hotel. At Oban Shopmobility, situated between the Train Station and the Ferry Pier, you’ll find a large range of electric scooters and wheelchairs for use.  For a small fee they will even drop off an electric scooter or wheelchair at your hotel, ready for your arrival.

Travelling by ferry is the only way to reach some of the region’s islands, but can be pricey. Blue Badge holders (with road tax exemption) can get a discount on some routes off the normal single fare. Check with the ferry company, Caledonian Macbrayne, (known as CalMac), when you book. If you need assistance when travelling such as a wheelchair at the terminals or on the ship, make it known when booking as some ships only have limited numbers of wheelchairs available and demand can be high, especially in summer.

Inspiring guidebooks

For the more adventurous and seasoned buggy users with your own transport there are some exciting new developments in Scotland and Walking on Wheels by Eva McCracken is a must-have guide. This book gives 50 “wheel-friendly” trails of differing ability throughout Scotland, including several in the Oban area. One of my favourites is the idyllic Crinan Canal. For those that prefer camping (or travelling in style with a caravan or motorhome!) the Cool Camping, Scotland, guide includes some really special, handpicked sites.

The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain, produced in association with Motability, also includes information on attractions in the Oban area and is packed with ideas for the disabled visitor. The guide costs £6.99 including P&P but Blue Badge holders can claim a copy of the guide free. See the details below.

Off road fun

The Oban to Fort William Cycleway is currently under development but will eventually incorporate more than 50 miles of pathway suitable for cycling, walking and mobility scooters. The route has been designed to DDA standard and any access controls along the route are designed to allow space for wheelchairs, buggies and hand bikes to get through. The route largely follows a dismantled railway line closed by Dr Beecham in the 1960’s and has spectacular views.  Some parts are not complete yet so check with the sustainable transport charity Sustrans before you go.

The current section of the Cycleway that is open provides a traffic free coastal fringe path, from which you can spot seals and sea birds, otters and – if you are really lucky – a porpoise or dolphin.

Katharine Taylor, National Cycle Network Development Manager, said: “People with disabilities should be aware of the occasional steep sections but we are very pleased to have created ten miles of path which is fully accessible to everyone. We are also glad to have support from the Argyle Beats Cardiovascular Disease charity which is putting in money to provide seats, as resting points.”

You can also join the Cycleway beside Loch Creran, starting at the Scottish Sea Life Centre at Baracaldine, just ten miles north of Oban. This avoids the steep access at Creagan. There’s also a steep section between Ganavan and Dunbeg, where Argyll and Bute Council are considering putting in a skid proof surface and railings.

Loch Creran is a Special Area of Conservation, designated for its biogenic reef. The reef is comprised of very special calcareous worms, which  form an important habitat for the wide range of biodiversity for which the area is famous. At The Sea Life Centre you can view a recreation of this unique reef and its inhabitants, including seals. The centre is fully accessible with tarmac and concrete paths suitable for wheelchairs, although you may need to double back on your route a few times. There is also an accessible café, shop, and disabled toilet.

Unique history and geography

Just south of Oban, the countryside boasts more than 350 prehistoric and historic sites around Kilmartin Glen. East of Oban, Ardchattan Priory is where the last Scottish Parliament was held in Gaelic. Ancient stones and gardens can be explored on the shores of Loch Etive and behind the Priory are “kettle holes”, part of the glacial relics left behind by the last ice age.

The west coast of Scotland is world-renowned for these stunning landscape features created by the movement of glaciers, including some extraordinary raised beaches, which can result in steep embankments and even cliffs some distance inland. The Ganavan to Dunbeg cycle track climbs one such embankment when leaving the beach at Ganavan, near Oban. This section of track is only for the most able and capable buggy users. As far as I am aware this is the only difficult section along the track that is currently open.

For a less arduous but very special trip visit the disused quarry at Ballachulish. You may need to collect the key from the Community Council (details on the gate), but it is well worth it. Why not take a picnic and spend some time here enjoying the tranquillity? Be careful though – you’ll need to pack the bug spray if you’re planning to visit during the midge season which runs from mid-May to mid-September!

There are numerous Special Areas of Conservation along this beautiful section of coast so help keep it special by remembering the Country Code: take nothing but photos; leave nothing but footprints; or, in our case, buggy tracks!

More information

Walking on Wheels, by Eva McCracken. 2006. Cualann Press. www.cualann.com

Cool Camping: Scotland, by Robin & Jenny McKelvie. 2007. Punk Publishing Ltd.

www.coolcamping.co.uk

The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain

www.accessibleguide.co.uk

Tel: 0800 953 7070

Tourist Information:

www.visitscotland.com

Tel: 0845 22 55 121.

Scottish Sea Life Centre

www.sealsanctuary.co.uk

Tel.01631 720386

Cycleway details:

www.sustrans.org.uk

Tel 0845 113 0065

Visit Scotland

For more information on accessible attractions and holiday accomodation in Scotland, see VisitScotland where you can search by location, level of accessibility and star grading. You can also call Visit Scotland on 0845 22 55 121 for information and advice. Please mention Mobilise when you call.

This article first appeared in the May 2009 issue of Mobilise magazine, which goes out to all our members and includes reviews of adapted cars and mobility equipment, features on accessible travel and leisure, campaign updates, news, competitions and real-life stories.
Membership of our charity costs just  £16 per year and includes your monthly subscription to Mobilise.

Related posts:

1. A trip to accessible Venice
2. Accessible places to visit – London
3. Accessible Volunteering at the Samaritans

Mobilise member John Jewitt tests out the new Jenny-Wiz powerchair from Fieldmaster

I had been aware for a while that my faithful Euroflex electric wheelchair was coming to the end of its life. It needed several expensive repairs and given the age of the chair itself I began to draw up a shortlist of suitable replacements.

I wanted a chair primarily for indoor use, but one that could cope with some limited outdoor duty. I needed an electrically elevating seat and I wanted this to be mounted on a proper frame as in the past I have found single-post models prone to developing squeaks and groans (which engender equally noisy complaints from my better half!) Very importantly, it had to be compact; unfortunately these last two requirements ruled out most of the chairs currently on the market.

The closest contender was the Jimmy-Wiz from Fieldmaster, but that was for indoor use only. I was therefore very interested to learn that they had developed a limited outdoor use variant called the Jenny-Wiz, which is available in front- or rear-wheel drive versions. I lost no time in arranging a home demonstration of a front-wheel drive model – my Euroflex is front-wheel drive, and I like the manoeuvrability this gives.

There are three variations on the theme: the Basic, which I chose, the Slide, which also moves the seat forward, and the Stand, which will be available later this year and will lift you to a standing position.

On the day Duncan Wells arrived from Fieldmaster with both front- and rear-wheel drive models for me to try out for as long as I wanted.

First, I took the rear-wheel drive version for a spin around the house. While I could negotiate the corners and doorways quite easily, I still preferred the front-wheel drive for speed and agility. The chair’s quietness and smoothness was a revelation after my existing chair, and once outside on the drive, boy oh boy is it fast – our Labrador Ellie will have to learn to get out of my way more quickly than she is used to! The fairly large castors enabled me to traverse doorsills and bumps far better than my Euroflex with its small solid wheels.

Fieldmaster’s practice is to refrain from heavy salesmanship at the demo stage. Instead they allow you try out the chairs at your own pace, and then send a quotation for a chair tailored to your requirements so that you can make your decision without feeling hurried. Duncan took me through the myriad options of footrests and other details, and measured me to ensure that the seat, armrests and controls would be built to suit my anatomy, before loading up the chairs and heading off back to Wolverhampton.

The quotation arrived quickly, for a very reasonable £3900, and I now have to decide on a colour scheme from a choice of 16 upholstery colours and 9 colours for the powder-coated frame. The only problem then will be nursing the Euroflex through the 6-week build time!

The Jenny-Wiz is available from Fieldmaster.

There is a comprehensive range of options and prices vary with individual requirements, but their average order price is around £4,000 – £4,500

For more information see:

www.fieldmaster224.co.uk

This article first appeared in the June 2009 issue of Mobilise magazine, which goes out to all our members and includes reviews of adapted cars and mobility equipment, features on accessible travel and leisure, campaign updates, news, competitions and real-life stories.
Membership of our charity costs just  £16 per year and includes your monthly subscription to Mobilise.

No related posts.