Tag: wheelchairs

  • The Trekinetic Wheelchair by Beyond the Boundary Wheelchairs

    The Trekinetic Wheelchair by Beyond the Boundary Wheelchairs

    This post has been written by Michelle Katz from Beyond the Boundary Wheelchairs who are listed in our Supplier Directory.

    Viv and I are partners in Beyond The Boundary Wheelchairs. We are also sisters and counsellors, and we both chose our profession so we could ‘make a difference’ and help people live their lives in a happier, more fulfilling way.

    When we first discovered the Trekinetic wheelchair we realised, surprisingly so, that these lightweight and all terrain chairs offered the same betterments for disabled people, their families and caregivers, as counselling did for our clients.

    Feeling safe and confident that the chair will cope with most terrains, means people can live their lives in an increasingly freeing, independent and happier way. And as horizons broaden, and challenges previously unattainable or withdrawn from, are faced, self esteem and confidence increases, enabling even more obstacles to be tackled. One might call it a forward propelling cycle..mentally, physically, emotionally and probably spiritually too.

    Meeting incredible people

    In the 5 years we’ve been selling Trekinetics we have met some of the most incredible people, and when we’re told how much difference the chair has made to their lives, we are simply tickled pink.

    GTE silver side view

    To witness someone who has lived opposite the moors at Dartmoor for years but never been able to access them until she tried the powered trekinetic GTE, was just magical for everyone, and truly an emotional experience. A year later, Hannah sent us this:

    I’ve lived on Dartmoor’s doorstep my entire life end yet until now I have been unable to negotiate any of its undulations, styles, see its beautiful sunsets, visit any of my favourite places or experience new ones without much effort. Now I’m pleased to say that’s a thing of the past. The speed is awesome! The chair is very comfortable and light. In all honesty when you look at the chair for the first time you could be forgiven for thinking it would make it at all, to anywhere but then it does! I’ve owned the GTE for over a year and am having a fantastic time and I’m looking forward to many more fantastic times.

    Much to our wonderful designer and manufacturer’s delight, (petrolhead and former tool maker for Formula 1, Mike Spindle) Hannah went on to say:

    “As amazing as perhaps collecting the keys to a brand-new F type Jaguar – the Trekinetic GTE is smart, beautiful, sharp and in a league of its own; this is infinitely better, it’s life changing.”

    woman in wheelchair looking at the view
    Helen looking over the scenery in New York
    woman in wheelchair outside in the snow
    Helen outside in the snow

    We love gathering information about what people think of the Trekinetic, but it was with a little trepidation when we asked Julia what she thought of our State of The Art, Funky 3 Wheeled Off Road Powered Chair, as she too is an engineer! Mike was of course thrilled with her 10/10 for style and we were delighted she’d get to keep her husband!

    I wanted a chair that was light weight, powered and all terrain, and would enable me to go for walks with my husband so he didn’t have to go alone (or find a new partner!) I absolutely loved the design, and would, if asked, give it 10/10 for style. Thank you for your time, attention to detail & patience. I can’t think of anything that would have improved my first experience, and my order is in the post. Julia V. – Slough, UK

    Helen has travelled some 230 miles in the 2.5 years she’s had her chair. She’s been to wonderful places in the UK and abroad. She was especially pleased she could continue to go out when it snowed.

    Maggie takes her dogs to their agility classes, and then for a lovely run and playtime on the beach.

    woman in wheelchair with 2 dogs on the beach

    And then I met Elisabeth. Beautiful, energetic, crazy, shoe addict, and owner of the Ultimate Vegan Cafe (opening soon in Lichfield). There is no denying the Trekinetics are eye catching, and Elisabeth has certainly caught the eye of several celebrities, including Steven Fry and her idol, Eric Cantona.

    elisabeth and eric cantona smiling for photo

    Elisabeth said: “I have had my green chair for two months now and it has changed my life.” 

    She continued to say:

    I loved the wheelchair immediately. It was comfortable, practical and looked great. I was amazed at all the options available for the chair. A dog walking attachment for a dog lead an umbrella, a fitted water bottle and a range of colours for the chair. I have had my green chair for two months now and it has changed my life. I cannot wait to go out the house now, the chair is so easy to drive, I get stopped so many times by strangers asking me about my chair.

    I have been across fields and around London shopping. I love it. It fits into our car a lot easier than my old one and is much lighter. I love my chair so much I have ordered a second one. I am going to Vegas in October and can’t wait, as I know how comfortable and agile my chair will be. Thank you Beyond the Boundary Wheelchairs for making my life a happier and more fulfilled one. – All–terrain Trekinetic GTE Wheelchair owner

    GTE folded away in car woman in wheelchair in front of van with her dog

    We are so proud to be involved with Trekinetic

    There is simply no other chair like it. We know it won’t suit everyone, and that the majority of wheelchair users generally have at least 2 chairs. However because they’re bespoke, so many adaptations are possible. They’re great outdoors and incredibly maneuverable indoors. They can be lifted and put it any almost every car. To our knowledge the GTE is the only Powered All Terrain wheelchair in the world where that’s possible. It’s suitable for children and can be adapted as they grow and reach adulthood. And the chairs are incredibly comfortable and safe.

    Viv and I really enjoy meeting people and enabling them to try the Trekinetic out in their homes. If you’re interested in having a no obligation demo, please do call us 07973 731194 / 07885 059990

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  • New Wheelchair Gives Carole the Push She Needed!

    New Wheelchair Gives Carole the Push She Needed!

    This post has been written by Yorkshire Care Equipment for Disabled Living.

    Carole had been given a wheelchair by the NHS Wheelchair Services that met her needs but was simply too heavy for her to push herself in. She decided to take matters into her own hands and started looking for a new wheelchair which was lightweight and would give her some well-deserved independence.

    Carole searched for mobility equipment shops in her local area and found Yorkshire Care Equipment. She had a quick phone call with a member of their team and arranged to visit their showroom to look at different wheelchairs that would be easier for her to propel herself in.

    Looking specifically at active user wheelchairs, Carole wanted to find a chair that would give her all the comfort and support she needed whilst being lightweight enough to self-propel.

    Yorkshire Care Equipment showroom advisor Gary Hornsby-Shawe said:

    I showed Carole a range of active user chairs so she could pick the one that suited her needs the most. She had been a bit worried about funding, so I gave her a copy of our charities database just so she knew that help was available should she need it.

    We got the perfect chair in the end; Carole is loving it and says it’s the best chair she has ever had!

    After test driving the different wheelchairs available, Carole settled on a Küschall Champion SK wheelchair in a matte black finish. She personalised it by adding on some matte black Spinergy wheels and specially design oval-shaped hand rims with a built-in rubber lining for extra grip.

    Carole then returned to Yorkshire Care a few weeks later to buy a SmartDrive powered add-on which will give her some extra power when pushing her new chair.

    Carole said:

    Before, I was using a heavy old chair. It was uncomfortable and hard to propel.

    Gary was very patient with me when we bought the chair and he gave me the advantages and disadvantages of all the models I tried. Yorkshire Care helped me choose a chair that fitted me.

    The Champion SK wheelchair weighs less than 10kg and folds down to a very compact size so Carole can enjoy days out with no hassle at all. To see the SmartDrive powered add-on in action, watch this video.

    Yorkshire Care Equipment are listed in our Supplier Directory.

  • Amelia Found Her Perfect Pink Wheelchair with Yorkshire Care Equipment

    Amelia Found Her Perfect Pink Wheelchair with Yorkshire Care Equipment

    This post has been written by Yorkshire Care Equipment. Amelia is a nine-year-old girl from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. She came to our showroom in her old, NHS supplied wheelchair that she’d had since she was five. It was oversized and clunky, and it was too heavy for Amelia to push herself in. Unfortunately, the NHS couldn’t offer her anything better so Amelia took matters into her own hands.

    Amelia and her family took a trip to our Yorkshire Care Equipment  showroom in Harrogate just to see if we were able to offer her any other wheelchairs that might suit her better. Our showroom advisor Gary got to work straight away and began working through a standard wheelchair prescription form with Amelia and her family.

    Gary determined that she needed a wheelchair that would be a better physical fit for her, and it needed to be lightweight enough for her to self-propel. She also wanted the wheelchair to look nicer; Amelia wanted it to be bright pink.

    Gary, our showroom advisor, said:

    When I first met Amelia and her family, it was pretty obvious that her wheelchair just wasn’t right for her anymore. We sat together and did a sort of wish list of things she could have in her new wheelchair, and then we set to work arranging it all.

    We chose the Zippie Youngster 3 wheelchair which is a lot lighter for her to push, and we made sure it could be supplied in pink. We also put integrated brake levers in the wheel arches to make it easier for Amelia to stop with little effort.

    Amelia on her new wheelchair

    She chose a flamingo pink glitter finish for the chair and added some light-up flashing castor wheels on the front for extra personalisation – it’s by far one of the most unique wheelchairs we’ve ever supplied!

    We also included a comfy seat cushion and a specifically adapted SmartDrive powered add-on for the chair. Amelia can control the SmartDrive all through her wristband, and it will give her a helping hand pushing her wheelchair along whenever she needs the extra boost.

    Lisa, Amelia’s Mum, said:

    Amelia loves her new wheelchair because it’s so lightweight, she can push it herself. It’s a joy to see her in it!

    We went to Yorkshire Care Equipment because they’re local and it’s important to support the community. They were incredibly helpful and really did pull out all the stops to make sure my daughter’s wheelchair was exactly as she wanted it to be.

    Yorkshire Care Equipment have a charity database that they give to clients whenever they need to raise funding for specialist equipment. However, Amelia’s family had already secured funds from The Lions Club of Knaresborough, the Rotary Club of Knaresborough, the NewLife Charity, and a private donor.

    Between the bright pink frame, light up wheels, and the flowery spoke covers, Amelia will be easy to spot wherever she goes! Check out the video below of her taking her new chair for a spin.

    https://yorkshirecare.vids.io/videos/709ad0bf111decc5f8/20180531-yce-amelia-in-showroom

     

  • Exploring the British Countryside from a Wheelchair’s Seat

    Exploring the British Countryside from a Wheelchair’s Seat

    This post has been written by Lucy Wyndham for Disabled Living.

    England has a countryside that is both beautiful and accessible. Though many worry about wheelchair accessibility, in recent years numerous innovations have made exploring the British countryside easier than ever. While many have adapted the natural landscape to be easier to navigate, others still have used ponies and other tricks to do the same without damaging the local landscape at all.

    From the north

    Exploring the natural environments of Britain can mean seeing some of the oldest and grandest historical sites, from the two-thousand-year-old Hadrian’s Wall to ancient and Danish architecture along the countryside of Northumberland. The rolling hills and fields of Britain are considered iconic, providing a natural experience that both old and young alike enjoy.

    It is no boast to say the natural environments draw many. Film crews for movies as famous as Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey have rented vast swathes of land to place their viewers in a location with an otherworldly atmosphere. In Northumberland, home to Britain’s most northern park, tourist information centres offer accessibility information, and all local trains have been adapted for wheelchair accessibility.

    Meanwhile, the areas historic value means that many existing buildings offer an excellent look into the area’s past, such as the Roman Army Museum. The museum is right next door to Hadrian’s Wall itself and provides many opportunities to go outside and explore the local landscape on your own behest to see historical ruins and structures in their native environment.

    To the south

    Meanwhile, in the South Downs of England, some people have taken an innovative and different approach. To avoid pouring concrete or other nature destroying materials, they’ve begun offering a service that pulls wheelchair users in chariots designed to take them up even rocky slopes. This gives wheelchair owners access to a nearly one-hundred-mile trail through nature.

    Additionally, many beaches from Bournemouth to Brighton offer wheelchair accessible cabins and rental spaces. With the South Downs nearby and the Surrey Hills Area Of Outstanding Beauty just a little bit further away, there are plenty of options for lodgings close to nature and several wonderful places to see in the British countryside.

    Next time you consider where to take a nature-themed outing, consider the beautiful British countryside. You may prefer the accessibility provided by non-traditional means of transportation, like the proud ponies of the south, or the more casual accessibility offered by the parks and trains of northern Britain. Both of these and more offer unique ways to ensure that you have few reasons to believe disability can separate you from the great outdoors.

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