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Welcome to UK Wheelchairs - the home of value and quality

Monthly Archives: July 2016

  • Another wheelchair theft in Clacton Essex this time

    It seems almost every week we hear of a wheelchair theft some where in the UK, what is wrong with some folk .

    This week it occurred in Great Bentley in Essex where not one but two wheelchairs were stolen from the same address.

    Beryl Lilley's daughter suffers from cerebal palsey and uses two different wheelchairs. Yesterday they were left outside against for a short time and when Beryl came back out there were gone. One is a red self propelled manual wheelchair and the other a blue transit model, so please keep a look out in case they are abandoned locally.

    “I just do not understand people like that,” said Angela’s mum Beryl Bruce, of Great Bentley.It’s not the money. Why should people take things that do not belong to them? “We have got Angela another one now. I have put white paint on it, saying ‘Keep your hands off’.”

    Angela, Berlys daughter does not always need to sit in her chair, but does use it for stability while walking. Apart from the inconvenience of having them stolen, the cost of replacing them there is also the shear upset suffered by her daughter Angela.

    Anyone with information about the wheelchair thefts should call Clacton police on 101. I'm sure both Beryl and Angela would like to see the safe return of both wheelchairs

    For crime prevention advice, visit the Essex police web site

  • NHS to offer a greater choice of care

    It was announced last month that more control was to be given very soon to individuals healthcare and in particular, a new approach to wheelchair commissioning will replace the current voucher scheme.

    The existing 20 year old voucher scheme has presented many pitfalls including a real lack of information and guidance around maintenance, repair and replacement as well as a shortage of providers where such a voucher can be redeemed making things very difficult for many.

    The planned change, now named the new personal health budget scheme is aimed to offer greater choice of where wheelchairs can be purchased as well as a detailed care plan that helping users make better informed decisions about their wheelchair, including much needed guidance on future maintenance, repair and replacement requirements.

    The planned change means that their wheelchair will form part of their wider care, catering for all of their individual needs and ensuring a more joined-up approach, which is one of the key aims of the NHS 5 year forward view. This new approach is also hoped to give NHS England more accurate data on wheelchair provision that will improve services and address regional variations across the country.

    Ruth Owen the CEO from Whizz-Kidz, commented: “We’re delighted with today’s announcement; it’s a significant step forward, and will give young disabled people, and their families, freedom of choice and control over their own wheelchair provision. We know that the families we work with want choice and flexibility; making Personal Health Budgets available for young people’s wheelchair services makes this a reality. This will, at long last, open the door to truly personalised, holistic support for young disabled people."

  • World wheelchair rugby championship to be held in Australia 2018

    The 2018 wheelchair rugby world championship allows sport to be more inclusive, showing those with disabilities that life can get better. Disability Sports Australia CEO Jenni Cole spoke about the life-changing effect of wheelchair sports: “When they suddenly realise they can play sport and they see other people with similar injuries doing what they never imagined they could do again – having fun, being a bit crazy, it changes their lives.”

    Cole explains that the sport will also reach those in minority communities: “We’re also hoping to really start to interact more with the multicultural community and reach athletes with a disability from those communities that maybe we haven’t seen as many of yet.”

    Australia has been a firm favourite to host the championships, particularly as they hold the number one title for wheelchair rugby in the world. Victoria Thunder athlete Jason Lees echoes the ability for wheelchair sports to change lives: “For me it was a way to meet other people in wheelchairs, saying fit, being part of a team again which is something I love doing.”

    Many players cite the physicality of wheelchair sports, allowing players more freedom to express themselves. Lees says “it’s probably what we like most about playing, the physical side of the game and when you can win as a team after the game hanging out with the boys and stuff like that, it’s a good feeling.”

    Four Australian states, New Zealand and Japan will all be taking part in the National Wheelchair Rugby Championships, held until July 9 at Netball Central.

  • Wheelchairs used to rescue flooded shoppers

    I'm not sure that it will have done the wheelchairs much good but the quick thinking staff at one supermarket decided to use them to ferry folk in and out of the store when the heavens opened recently.

    In the photos, you can see the large wheels of the self propelled wheelchair poking out above the water level and the occupants being pushed by the store employees in their high-vis jackets. These spring like showers that can flood are difficult to contend with as a wheelchair user. One minute you need to be lightly clothed as you push yourself about and then you need the wheelchair poncho or cape on as quick as possible to dodge the deluge.

    In this Stafford based Tesco the wheelchair were used for an hour or so and over 50 folk were ferried out of the store back to the dry. My fear would be that those wheelchairs will now need a good service with particular attention being paid to the wheel bearings which are likely to rust having being submerged. most bearing cases are designed to repel a bit of surface water but when the are submersed and the wheels turned, water will get in side and start the rusting process. Apart from having a squeaking wheelchair you are also likely to be let down when the bearings eventually fail.

  • Wimbledon wheelchair singles commences

    It was good to see Wimbledon's first wheelchair singles matches kicked off yesterday having been a real success at the 2012 Paralympics in London. Wheelchair doubles has been a hit at Wimbledon for some years now since 2001 so it is progression to see the singles come along.

    The UK's doubles women's partners Lucy Shuker and Jorndanne While are first to play but this time head to head in the first quarter finals, Jordanne had this to say about the event at Wimbledon "I’m here to win Wimbledon singles. For us to be able to showcase our sport to the highest level in the singles event is just absolutely fantastic.”

    In the mens game, the Scotsman Gordon Reid who is currently World No. 3 is looking forward to his matches having already had success this year by winning the Australian Open singles, he said “I’m just really excited to get going. I grew up watching Wimbledon on TV, mainly the singles event. It was always a dream of mine to play singles here.” Gordon is dues to play Frenchman Nicolas Peifer in the quarter-finals.

    In total, five British players from the Tennis Foundation’s wheelchair tennis world class programme are among the 16 playing at the championships. In the women’s draw Louise Hunt, 25, faces Marjolein Buis from the Netherlands, and in the men’s draw Alfie Hewett, 18, from Norfolk, faces Dutchman Joachim Gerard.

    For those of you who are unfamiliar, it is a fantastic watch and very similar however in wheelchair tennis the ball is allowed to bounce twice. The rate at which the courts are covered in these bespoke sports wheelchairs is nothing short of amazing and the individuals talent and fitness is very impressive. We wish the British players all the best of luck.

  • Disabled athlete sets a new world record

    Anthony Gotts, 32, has just become the first person in history to accomplish the 900-mile journey from Land's End to John O'Groats in a wheelchair.

    The Lancashire athlete completed this huge feat in only 20 days despite an original target of 28 days, achieving a world record. Gotts pushed an incredible 50 miles a day using just arm power.

    Before making history for wheelchair users, Gotts was training to enter the 2012 London Olympic trials, until he was injured so severely in a long jump competition that he eventually lost the use of both his legs due to a broken pelvis and torn muscles.

    Despite his present levels of fitness, Anthony became heavily depressed after losing his athletic abilities. He said that he "went from being a top runner, aiming for the Olympic trials, to being in a wheelchair, needing carers in my house." Anthony concluded: "I was on 38 pills a day, I put on three stone in weight due to being inactive and the drugs, I felt fat, no clothes would fit me and I was on benefits."

    The athlete managed to break through the barriers of his depression by joining a disabled group and regaining his mental and physical health. Since then, Gotts has been more successful than ever before, competing in the London World Marathon Championships and other races across Europe.

    Anthony proves that once again, disability does not define the individual. His historical finish in the 900-mile journey raised huge amounts of money for the 53 foundation, which serves to fund and raise awareness to create more opportunities for people with disabilities.

    Read more about his adventures in his wheelchair here

  • Wheelchairs coming to Xbox Avatars

    At last we've been recognised and wheelchairs are coming to an Xbox near you ! Phil Spencer who heads up Xbox has today confirmed that the games avatars will soon be available to place within digital wheelchairs in an attempt to provide yet more customisation for gamers.

    As we learned a few years ago a large proportion of young wheelchair users engage in gaming with some spending many hours a week pursuing their online gaming interests.

    As players like to base their Avatar on their own identity, Xbox is constantly looking for new ways to enable this self customisation. Avatars, which are cartoony looking digital characters are unique to each player and in theory resemble the players characteristics in reality, so why not wheelchairs ? its about time surely. This life-likeness allows gamers to express their real emotion alongside their gaming persona.

    So it has taken since 2008 for Microsoft to begin to cater for disabled gamers in the real sense. Its good to think that they are at least listening and are open to suggestions from disabled users in general and in this case wheelchair users. This is probably thanks to one user who used Twitter to start a petition, not long after Phil Spencer confirmed that just such an option is on its way real soon.

    With the new Xbox slim just around the corner in August it will be interesting to see if the wheelchair avatar modification is ready by then.

  • First ever automated wheelchair created by Hong Kong inventor

    Alan Lee Siu-lun has developed a breakthrough product in wheelchair assistance. The model has been in development in 2011, showing a big move forward from traditional stair-climbing wheelchairs.

    The new model boasts a control panel that can be replaced with a tablet, and a wide pedrail that can be adjusted for use outdoors and even at the beach. The automated wheelchair can also be elevated, allowing users to be at the same level as others when at the dinner table.

    Lee continues to develop the concept: in future the wheelchair should be able to track the health and fitness levels of users, and the wheelchair will also be able to notify doctors in emergency situations in order to provide necessary assistance.

    The automated wheelchair will first be available in November, starting with Italy as it makes its way into the global market.

    It will be interesting to see if this actualy takes on and becomes an accepted mode of wheelchair transport and if it actually improves the quality of life for wheelchaur users.

  • At last a wheelchair-friendly catwalk

    Wheelchair user Fashion student Laura Richter, 22, has just graduated with a first class honours from Huddersfield University.  Not only is this a great achievement, but Laura has attained such high results whilst battling with muscular dystrophy.  Because of how the condition has affected her life, Laura chose to combine disability with fashion, creating designs specifically targeted towards wheelchair users.

    The work was demanding for Laura; she explained that she had to be very strict with herself, "eating the right things and sleeping the right amount". Her university accommodated her needs further by creating a special low-level work table in the fashion department. Despite the challenges of her condition, Laura has shown that great perseverance and ambition can overcome disability.

    We wish her luck in all that she does.

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