Finally a holiday and a rest for both of us!
My first overseas holiday in a long time, a cheap trip to Montenegro and my first trip with my wheelchair. (I had managed to save enough to fund buying this myself 18 months ago whilst I was still receiving some pay from my job). We sought all the advice before going and made sure we wrapped the joystick and as it is a folding chair we collapsed it and used bungee ropes to secure it all into position hoping it would be safe. On arrival it was fine and we had a very welcome rest after a few years of neurological tests and so many hospital trips to try to work out why I have lost my mobility, dexterity, and some sight. I now have a speech impediment, loss of memory and the list goes on and on.
It had all gone too well....
Time came to come home, lots of delays due to bad wind, it was generally a really bad day, then the security in Tivat wanted to almost take the wheelchair apart with me sat in it!! When we finally landed back in the UK and my partner went to replace the battery that they made him take off and fly with I started to get concerned. This is when I found out that it literally wouldn't clip into place as the whole chassis of the chair had been twisted so badly. A member of the oncoming crew helped him until the managed to wedge things enough to get me off the plane and to the car. Obviously there is no way of knowing if this damage happened in Tivat or London.
Now the new struggle that I really need your help with please!?
Our local mobility expert agreed it was a write off and my insurance company paid out quickly. Unfortunately, it has become clear that I need a bigger chair with more functions. It is now accepted that my condition is permanent and some of my other symptoms need supporting more than they currently are and also that the medications have made me gain weight over the last 4-5 years. I should note that the weakness and pain I experience is not confined to my legs but is body wide so I cannot use a manuel wheelchair either. I also need a lighter chair (or one that comes apart) as the broken chair weighs in at 28kg and my partner cannot struggle to lift it any longer. Our car is not big enough to accommodate a winch and despite using dual ramps it isn't relieving the weight issue.
Sorry this is a bit long - The money bit!
In short (🤣🤣🤣apologies for the length) the new powerchair I need costs a lot more than the wreck I am left with. Still being long term sick from my job I am only in receipt of ESA (the stamp paid one, £138 per week for all expenses!!) and PIP which is largely spent topping up the ESA and paying for other needs that have arisen from my condition including a large amount of fuel for hospital trips. This income will never facilitate enough for me to purchase a new powerchair, let alone one that will meet my needs both now and going forward over the next few years.
There are services, why won't they help me? 😞
The wheelchair service will not help because I cannot use it in the house! I cannot afford the chair so I certainly cannot afford thousands to remodel the house!! But someone who can can afford to make their house accessible can get a powerchair from the service or vouchers towards one they want to buy because they can use it inside!! Utterly ridiculous and backwards!
Feeling guilty for even asking.
I know there are probably people needing things more important than this. I have, I'm the past, donated to causes on here and other platforms. I'm very aware that people are struggling particularly as we head towards Christmas but if you have a spare £2 at the end of the month maybe remember me going stir crazy looking at the same four walls and mainly only risking my lump of junk to get to hospital and doctors appointments.,
Thank you and Merry Christmas
Whether you can help or not, thank you for reading and I hope you can have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. People are more important than presents so I hope everyone gets to be with a loved one at some point even if it's a special friend or a family member that drives you mad!!!