Another wheelchair world record !

Head over wheels one newspaper has called it on their headline, describing the antics of wheelchair user daredevil stuntman as he goes for the most challenging ramp jump ever attempted and yes he pulled it off achieving a complete double back flip in a wheelchair.

Launched from a 50ft ramp, adrenaline junkie Aaron Fotheringham has done what most of us would think is the impossible in a wheelchair and seeing the pictures in the press today really beggars belief. His jump has won him world wide acclaim for the stunning wheelchair stunt and what makes it most impressive is that he is a teenaged Spina Bifida sufferer and is entirely wheelchair bound.

The plan for Aaron is to do a tour displaying his wheelchair stunts. The first display is at a Nitro Circus show in his hometown of Los Vegas tomorrow the 4th of June where he plans to amaze crowds with this and other amazing wheelchair stunts. The extreme sports event attracts many different types but this does seem to be a genuine first for any show.

The ramp used for this amazing wheelchair extravaganza is usually used by BMX riders who carry out similar aerial acrobatics on bicycles. Taking it one step further Aaron leans backwards in to a back flip before he returns to earth landing on two wheels of his specially designed lightweight self propelled wheelchair.

What can you do with your self propelled wheelchair ?

Aaron has successfully attempted other wheelchair stunts previously but none as impressive as this one which is thought to be a world first. Aaron, a self confessed adrenalin junky started his antics at skate parks as a small child but as his condition worsened he adapted his style to include his wheelchair. When interviewed recently he added that he could always do the same tricks as the other kids but from his wheelchair, he says: "I grew to like my chair because it was like having a skateboard with me all the time.' See pictures and video of the great wheelchair stunt here

We were pleased to hear recently that you can now hire a wheelchair accessible car from anywhere in the country. Allied Mobility, the UK's biggest supplier of wheelchair accessible vehicles can now hire you a choice of cars and MPVs regardless of where you are in the country.

This is great news as so many wheelchair users find their holidaying options restricted. If you are not fortunate enough to have your own car then a hire car is an option. Their great range of wheelchair accessible vehicles includes small models like the Peugeot Partner Presto which is ideal for a couple as well as midsized family cars including the Peugeot Partner Horizon. With both manual and automatic versions available there is lots to choose from. If you hire one of the bigger vehicles you'll be glad to know that parking sensors come as standard !

When the vehicle is collected, advice is given on how to operate the wheelchair ramps and restraints and are generally pleasantly surprised at how a wheelchair accessibility car still manages to look as stylish as the standard vehicle.

SO whether it’s a hospital trip or a week’s holiday you too can rent a vehicle to suit you and your wheelchair needs. Everything you might need is supplied and their experienced mobility advisors are available to help you choose the right vehicle for the wheelchair and wheelchair passenger concerned.

TO make things really easy, you can also arrange to have the vehicle delivered to your door anywhere in the UK. On delivery you will receive a brief but thorough lesson on how to get the most from the vehicle and how to ensure that you use it safely. If you plan to become a regular hirer or wish to hire the vehicle for a long period then special discounted rates are available.

We also provide wheelchair hire!

Remember at UK-Wheelchairs we hire wheelchairs so if you have a short term need following an injury or operation then please contact us for wheelchair hire and associated mobility products. Or for more information on vehicle hire please call Allied on 0800 916 0015.

With over 300 exhibitors, the annual Naidex National exhibition at the NEC Birmingham is one show that’s not to be missed.

We are always on the look out for suppliers of new and innovative wheelchairs and powerchairs or electric wheelchairs and Naidex is one place where we can see them all under one roof.
The mobility and care conference that runs for 3 days from May the 1st to the 3rd is an exciting place where new and established wheelchair makers can display their wares in the Mobility and transport section.
We will be keeping a close eye on some all terrain wheelchairs and manufacturers as we receive growing numbers of enquiries from you our loyal customers who want to get out and pursue more adventurous pastimes.

With improved battery life and lighter components, all these things are becoming increasingly easier !

If you are interested in the Naidex show please visit their site by clicking here.

As the weather improves I will be taking to the streets more often and so have decided its time to give my wheelchair a good service. My wheelchair is a manual wheelchair or self propelled as some call them, but all of these tips are relevant whichever type of wheelchair you have.

You may have an instruction book for your wheelchair which will point out any special maintenance that is required but failing that these are my top tips for a comfy and reliable wheelchair:

Daily wheelchair checks:
• Check the tyre pressure. The recommended tyre pressure is generally on the tyre but 100 PSI is about right for most wheelchairs.
• Check the wheel nuts are nice and tight

Weekly wheelchair checks:
• Inspect the wheels. Make sure that spokes are all present and correct and not missing or bent
• Inspect castors. Replace castors that are wobbling, have excessive play or are badly aligned.
• Clean the axle housings and remove any debris using a clean cloth. Add a couple of drops of oil to each side.

Monthly wheelchair checks:
• Check the wheel alignment is correct. This prevents the wheelchair from veering to one side.
• Check the wheelchair and all critical components for cracks. These can occur due to bad luck or occasionally flaws in the metal or weld joints.
• Check tyre wear and sign of any cracks in the rubber. Replace the tyres if the rubber has excessive cracking.

Annual wheelchair checks:
• Using some 3 in 1 or silicone oil, lubricate all pivot points and hinges. This helps to keep folding wheelchairs in good order and prevents irritating squeaks.
• Lubricate all ball bearings.
• Check castors for cracks in the spokes that can cause collapse
• Check all straps for wear and tear and replace where necessary.

In addition to the above wheelchair checks I like to check the upholstery for wear and tear. I wash the seat cushion cover regularly and finally check that all visible nuts and bolts are nice and tight.

If you stick to this easy plan you will get the most out of your trusty wheelchair !

There seems to be a bit of confusion regarding the use of electric powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters and their use on roads and pavements.

We are often asked by callers or customers in the shop what the guidelines are so we thought it would be helpful to present the official rules from the government.

Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Pavements are safer than roads and should be used when available. You should give pedestrians priority and show consideration for other pavement users, particularly those with a hearing or visual impairment who may not be aware that you are there.

Powered wheelchairs and scooters MUST NOT travel faster than 4 mph (6 km/h) on pavements or in pedestrian areas. You may need to reduce your speed to adjust to other pavement users who may not be able to move out of your way quickly enough or where the pavement is too narrow.
Law UICHR 1988 reg 4

When moving off the pavement onto the road, you should take special care. Before moving off, always look round and make sure it’s safe to join the traffic. Always try to use dropped kerbs when moving off the pavement, even if this means traveling further to locate one. If you have to climb or descend a kerb, always approach it at right angles and don’t try to negotiate a kerb higher than the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

For more information on this subject please refer to the government website:

We all know that some of the finest electronics come from Japan. Now its the turn of the wheelchair to get some attention of some electronic wizardry.

The inventors of the new robot wheelchair have used a number of electronic sensors to feed the onboard computer with enough information to help the wheelchair detect near by obstacles and take them in its stride. Quite literally this wheelchair can maintain a level seat for the user while climbing over obstacles including steps and kerbs.

This groundbreaking and exciting technology is being developed by a team at the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan. The four-wheel-drive, five-axis wheelchair moves like a typical wheelchair – except when it encounters an obstacle. It's then able to use its wheels like legs.
Lead engineer, Shuro Nakajima, commented: “Each of the four wheels is independent of one another, so they can react independently when the chair comes across some sort of step.

They aren’t tied into responding in the same way at the same time.”
“This means it can climb - whether it approaches the step straight on or at an angle, it’s fine either way. In that sense, we’ve really pushed wheelchair technology forward.”
With further testing and a few tweaks we hope it wont be long before this electric robot wheelchair is available.

Every once in a while we come across a new mobility product that strikes us as being a little special. This time its a new range of wheelchairs that we took delivery of this week. Why so special i hear you ask ? This range of wheelchairs excels in many ways including build quality and craftsmanship, usability and ergonomics and exceptional value for money.

The Unix model self propelled wheelchair from Sunrise Medical is one of the best deals of the year so far and we are very happy to offer it with immediate effect. Describes as a fleet wheelchair, it is designed for full time use and is therefore built to endure the everyday knocks and scrapes it will encounter. This durable and reliable wheelchair has all the features you would expect and is fully adjustable to suit most users. The level of comfort is unusually high for a wheelchair of this price with a comfy foam seat and vinyl armrests.

A great value wheelchair for full time use

As a wheelchair designed for full time use, the Unix self propelled is equally suited to indoor and outside use. The large rear wheels feature maintenance free solid tyres and quick release axles, making it quick and simple to collapse the wheelchair to put it in the car boot, on the bus or train. The side guards flip up and also allow you to adjust the arm pad from long to short depending on what you are doing and the amount of support you need. The half folding backrest makes storage and transportation a simple task. In addition to these features you will also find elevating leg rests, height adjustable armrests and anti-tippers to add stability going up steep inclines or wheelchair ramps of up to 10 degrees. This wheelchair is crash tested to ISO 7176 Part 19 to provide real peace of mind about its build quality and safety for users up to 125 kg or 19 stone.
If you are interested in this remarkable self propelled wheelchair please call us or place your order online soon as we cannot guarantee how long the stocks of this fantastic wheelchair will last.

We were encouraged to see the proposed change in the law to allow under 14s to use motorised vehicles including electric wheelchairs.

The government is under pressure to make the change to help transform young people quality of life by allowing the use of electric wheelchairs where suitable. The cut off weight where a motorised vehicle becomes a car is currently 150Kgs. Most electric wheelchairs are far lighter than this and so should be made legal for any person with a sever disability to use one.

When is an electric wheelchair no longer an electric wheelchair ?

At the moment it is illegal for people under the age of 14 to use mobility scooters and electric chairs. In the meanwhile, any electric wheelchair weighing more than 150kg is classified as a car and, therefore, can only be driven by people over the age of 17 who hold a driving licence.

Mr Burley, a conservative MP, stated "The age limit is very arbitrary. It's not fair that a 13-and-a-half-year-old with a degenerative disease can't have the level of freedom that the electric wheelchair would provide."

Ten-minute rule bills do not normally result in a change in government policy, but Mr Burley said he was hopeful of an alteration in the law for Class 3 chairs, as transport minister Norman Baker and Maria Miller, minister for disabled people, had attended the debate.

We agree with him and believe that it makes sense to make electric wheelchairs available, where suitable, to users under the age of fourteen. Do let us know your thoughts.

It's great to hear at last that the Government recognises that access to beaches for wheelchair users is less easy than it could be.

Minister for disabled people Esther McVey has spoken out and announced that councils risk missing out on an estimated £80 billion market if wheelchairs are restricted from coastal areas. It seems a huge figure so let's hope it s not ignored.

Westcountry councils have defended themselves stating clearly that they do make an effort to make beaches accessible by wheelchair users and disabled people in general.

The Devon based Countryside Mobility scheme run by the Living Options Devon charity, which operates across the South West already provides wheelchairs and all terrain chairs for disabled users as well as 'wheelyboats' that allow wheelchair users to get out in a boat for fishing and sightseeing.

This scheme is proving successful and is operated now in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.

As we continue to have a reasonable summer this year and some relatively hot weather it has been a good year for wheelchair users to rediscover both beaches and the countryside, so we hope that further plans to make these areas more accessible are successful. Perhaps wheelchair rental is also a service that would be useful to those visiting our coast and countryside.

We recognise that not all coastal areas are going to be best suited to wheelchair users but do think that more can be done to make the more accessible beaches wheelchair friendly with more dropped kerbs, ramps and adapted areas to make wheelchair use easier.

Possibly the best value children’s wheelchair on the market today. We were recently able to drop the price on this fabulous children’s self propelled wheelchair to an all time low.

This lightweight children’s wheelchair really is one of the most impressive wheelchairs we have seen in a ling time. The build quality is superb, with most parts built from a very high grade anodised aluminium that both looks great but is also incredibly strong for its weight.

Perhaps the best feature of this wheelchair is the adjustability. This system allows the wheelchair to be adjusted to accommodate for a growing youngsters needs. This system is quite unique and caters for children from as young as 7 right up to teenage and a weight of twelve stone.

The importance of adjustment cannot be stressed enough. Support for a wheelchair user is incredibly important to ensure that muscles and joints are not stressed and that the user remains comfortable at all times. With adjustment for seat height, seat width, leg length, brake depth and brake angle it is possible to set this wheelchair up to suit both the user and the attendant.

The upholstery is magnificent with only the best quality fabrics in use. The fabric is also tensioned to provide extra support. The seat cushion is made from a super dense foam that retains it shape and ensure maximum comfort even on those long days where the wheelchair is used for many hours.

We are very happy to be able to offer such a fine child’s wheelchair at such a low price. We are able to do this thanks to cooperation with manufacturers and our bulk buying arrangements. If you have any questions please contact our friendly and experienced staff who will give you answers to any questions.

As you can see this is also a very smart looking wheelchair that really adds to its appeal !