Independence
Sending my TravelScoot back to Germany
I have an electrical fault with my TravelScoot and it is unusable. I reported the problem to the English office who told me to return it to Munich, the head office, for essential maintenance. Sending my TravelScoot back to Germany was fraught with problems. First things first I had to find a supplier of a […]
I will always love my Travelscoot mobility scooter
I have owned a Travelscoot mobility scooter for ten years and it is still fun to ride. I have not seen another mobility scooter that is as versatile or manoeuvrable. As I cruise along the pavement, I see pedestrians eyeing up my scooter and they always look envious. Even after 10 years I still love […]
Topro Troja Rollator
The Topro Troja Rollator is a robust and reliable 4 wheeled walker. It is recommended to many multiple sclerosis sufferers who do not find walking easy and have poor balance. I have advanced MS and suffer from both these problems. I love this rollator because it is well designed, light as well as robust. Also […]
Methods I use to manage my multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a very unpredictable disease and tough to live with. I think we all know that; I certainly do. MS has now been a part of my life since 1972 but I was not diagnosed until 1995. Here some methods I use to manage my advanced multiple sclerosis. Everyone has their own way […]
Simple things I now need to understand
A few years ago I kidded myself that I could still do the things just like I did in the noughties. Simple things I now need to understand. “Don’t worry, I can do it” I shouted enthusiastically as I was starting jobs like cooking supper. It would all begin swimmingly. Suddenly, out of the blue, […]
My amazing Travelscoot and true independence
Guest post written by Abgail Budd. I finally accepted my need for wheels in 2014, six years after my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. I’d been spending time with local people who also suffer from MS. I had struggled with 2 walking sticks but I would miss out on so much due to sheer exhaustion and […]
Trabasack Curved Lap Tray and Bag
Trabasack Curved LapTray and Bag is designed for use on a wheelchair. Its a new concept, beanbag lap tray that you carriy like a bag and use it on your lap whenever you need it. The tray inventor is a wheelchair user who fully understands what is necessary to make it useful. You could say it […]
DWP will discover and evaluate what I cannot do
The DWP have kept their side of the bargain. I have received a form so I can explain how my disability affects me. It’s a horror, 40 pages booklet with about 45 questions and statements to be completed. DWP will discover and evaluate what I cannot do. I am then awarded PIP benefits but its […]
Your Disability Living Allowance is ending
It was the usual brown envelope from the DWP with a return address of DWP PO Box 535 Belfast. It’s never an expensive white envelope and it’s never by first-class mail. Their letters always arrive on a Saturday morning just like this one, 21 April 2018. I opened it, the message was very simple, Your […]
Does my disability make me worth less?
So Christmas is done and dusted for another year. Decorations have been taken down and put in the loft. The Boy Scouts have collected the tree and recycled it. We’ve even managed to empty the fridge. Now wouldn’t it be lovely if I could just pack up my MS and store that in the loft […]
Getting the best from my life
Enjoying life, it is the reason to get out of bed each morning. Okay I do have a few problems but hey who doesn’t? I’ve had multiple sclerosis for over two thirds of my life and now I’m medically retired. I’m still learning the art of getting the best from my life. The biggest game […]
Disabled access is not a tick box exercise
Access and facilities for physically disabled people are needed today and why ever not? It would be so unreasonable in this day and age to exclude the physically disabled from our activities. From my experience disabled access is turning into a tick box exercise. Remember disabled access is not a tick box exercise. Disabled access […]
Action packed couple of days in Barcelona
I flew out to Barcelona for a couple of days. I took The Trike with me as one does. No, I was not going on a holiday. It was for a meeting with RADAR-CNS. A research project wanting to develop ways to measure Long Term Conditions using wearable devices and smartphone technology. I was there as a […]
Reasons why I enjoy my Travelscoot
I first saw a Travelscoot in the summer of 2010. Straight away I knew it was going to be the ideal solution for me. By then multiple sclerosis had limited my walking to the extent that I struggled to walk more than a mile. Up until then I had managed with a manual wheelchair but […]
MrsB and I went go on a London Road Trip
MrsB and I went on a London road trip on Saturday 18th March. See the Hockney exhibition at the Tate Britain and then on to the Coliseum to see Pirates of Penzance. It’s always the other little events that make the day interesting. The Road Trip MrsB and I travelled into London independently. I arrive […]
Red Telescopic Anti-Shock Hiking Walking Stick
This is a simple and sturdy Red Telescopic Anti-Shock Hiking Walking Stick. It is telescopic so you can also use it as a walking pole. It has a non slip handle that means it is easy to hold it as a walking stick. There is strap that you can put round your wrist so you cannot […]
Di Blasi R30 Folding Mobility Scooter
A mobility scooter that folds up on the press of a button. It seems a genuine novelty but the Di Blasi R30 folding mobility scooter is not the only one on the market. Click here to find out more about it. I like the 1930’s style and the large wheels so it can go over […]
Aidapt Wood Button Hook or Zipper
The Aidapt Wood Button Hook or Zipper is a handy device for doing-up buttons and pulling a zip up or down. Its easy to use, there is a loop at one end for buttons and a hook at the other for zips. The button loop simply passes through the button hole and clips around the button which […]
Mobility challenges
MS is not a good disease and many sufferers have difficulty getting around. Shall we call these mobility challenges? We are all different Each MS sufferer has a unique set of problems the usual culprits are walking, mobility and balance. There are plenty more problems in case you were wondering. Here are some of my […]
Toilet Frame with Adjustable Height and Width
There time may well come when a Toilet Frame with Adjustable Height and Width is very helpful when you need to sit down or get up from the loo. Be as independent as possible. This toilet frame is designed to give you that independence. It will make life just that little bit easier even if you […]
BT Big Button 200 Corded Telephone
BT Big Button 200 Corded Telephone is an affordable, easy to use ‘phone with numerous advantages. I think it is ideal for older people. It is an easy to use and an accessible phone. All in all it is excellent for people with visual or hearing problems. The big numbers and big buttons make it […]
The Hydrant 1 Litre Drinking Bottle
The Hydrant 1 Litre Drinking Bottle allows you to have a drink even if lying flat on your back in bed. The bottle is designed so you can have a drink when you want a drink. Even if you are stuck in bed and cannot move then this allows you to be more independent. No need […]
Plan B
Plan A & Plan B I nearly always plan out what I’m going to do, that’s plan A, then occasionally I think about plan B. Plan A & Plan B What to do in an emergency, its obvious but surprising how often I forget about it. I get halfway through the day, sit down and […]
Folding lightweight rollator
The day has arrived when I absolutely need to use a rollator. I am finding it difficult to walk around the house safely. I have to ‘furniture walk’ to keep my balance. A poor sense of balance and footdrop because but I cannot lift up my left leg means it very easy for me to […]
Motability
Motability helps disabled people have a more independent life style. Motability enabled them to own a car or a powered wheelchair To do this you contribute all or part of the higher rate mobility element of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Motability is a registered charity It has overall responsibility for the Motability Scheme, it […]
80 year old Shropshire farmer continues to run his farm
Robert Mund is 80, determined to run his farm, and his mobility is restricted because of two hip replacements. He relies on a rugged mobility scooter to manage his herd of 40 cattle. I hope that I can be equally active when I am 80. Robert Maund, 80, from Betton Strange near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, is […]
Train travel for the disabled
If you are going to use the trains and you are disabled then here are a few tips that will make train travel easier. Traveling by train can be a daunting process especially if you have never done it before. Do not be frightened. There is always someone who will be only too willing to […]
The Topro Olympos Rollator
I own a Topro Olympos Rollator it has four big wheels and it is designed to be used outdoors. It is a very stable rollator. The large wheels make it so easy to use when walking over uneven pavements, cobbles even gravel. It rolls along easily and smoothly. It gives me independence and improves my quality of life. […]
Completing forms properly
I am disabled, I have advanced MS and I cannot work. Completing forms properly is essential if I am to receive any state benefit. PIP (Personal lndependence Payment) and Incapacity Work Benefit are forms for benefits I have had to complete. These forms are a nightmare, lots of difficult questions. They must be answered correctly […]
