New wheels on the horizon!

Monday saw the Motability man visit with a massive wheelchair accessible van for me to look at.

Since things have got worse it's been harder to cope with my lovable Kangoo and several months ago I rang Motability to see if they could help. Motability is the UK charity that helps disabled people who get the the Mobility component of a UK disability benefit, get on the road. I've had a lease car from them for as long as I remember.

So Motability responded to my query by interviewing me over the phone and then sending the information to their 'Solutions Team' What a positive place to work! I'd love to be part of a Solutions Team!

And true to their name they found a solution for me, Although I knew they'd give me a grant, it wasn't until Steve, the Motability man from Newcastle arrived, that I really began to understand what this might mean! Absolute and total freedom! And not just for me but for LittleBoo too.

And the man from Delmonte, well Motability? He's recommended me for a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 209. It's amazing! I'm amazed!! I never expected such a thing.

I saw the model he'd driven down from NewCastle. It wasn't new but very similar to today's models. I swear it's nearly as big as my bathroom! It's huge! To get in I remain in my wheelchair and use a remote control to open the back doors and lower the lift. From here I press a button to get up to the level of the van. Inside there are 4 seats, 2 folding in the back and 2 front seats and lots of space even when the wheelchair's secured.

If I want to drive I transfer from my 'automatically secured' wheelchair I move on to a chair that is turned to face me and transfer. Then the chair is moved by electric controls, first turning to face the front, then moving forward into the drivers space, then the choice to raise or lower the seat to suit! all by electrical control!

I am in Heaven! For the first time in what feels like forever I will be able to go out safely and easily by myself. No more nasty bus drivers for me to put up with, although I'll miss the majority who are anything but nasty.

Of course it's less green than my current car. But I feel perfectly OK about it. I can't walk and I am part of the human race. I can't rely on public transport 24/7. Not just because of the 'nasty' bus driver, but also because the tram is ten minutes away from here, via snickets, fields and a playing park which would be totally unsuitable for me to use after dark. My new van will mean I'll be able to travel safely at night and as long as I feel OK about driving, it provides a facility to enable me to go to anything by myself. Something I will never take for granted.

So when do I get 'my' freedom van? I'm told within three months or so. I've just got to be patient. It's worth it though. But I just can't wait!!!!