Beach wheelchairs

TomandBarbara

Hi Everyone

My father-in-law had a really bad stroke a year ago and is confined to a wheelchair with no movement to his right side and unable to walk even a few steps.

He lives just a few miles from a beach and due to no access for the disabled he is unable to get on it. We like the idea of getting him a beach wheelchair but they seem very expensive. The nearest beach wheelchair scheme is in Pembrokeshire which is miles away plus he doesn't travel well.

Any ideas on an alternative to beach wheelchairs?

allydowd

You can get a complete list of beach wheelchair schemes from:

http://www.mobilise.info/Magazine.asp?ItemId=69

Or I guess you could buy one, use it, then sell it on?

zzzLazyDaisy

Have you thought about placing a 'wanted' ad in his local paper - if he lives near a beach, it is possible that someone has one that is no longer used x

furrytractor

You could always try the USA. If you're buying goods for the disabled (for sole use) or for a disability charity, then you are exempt from duty and VAT. Just contact customs and excise for the forms. I bought my wheelchair and a top end racing handcycle from the states and saved a fortune, even with shipping costs. Try sportaid.com They've a few beach chairs and some good "all-terrain" chairs. I think shipping costs are about $300 for a wheelchair. Failing that you can adapt a chair to be far more beach friendly. Try fitting mountain bike tyres, the wider the better, to the rear wheels. Try getting the widest and largest diameter castor wheels you can. I've a spare chair that I've fitted with 26"x2" mountain bike tyres and 8"x2" castors from a power wheelchair. I use this chair for beachs, woodland paths and muddy music festivals.

how1

Could you apply for a grant - approach local round table/ lions they may be able to fund part of the cost??

TomandBarbara

Gosh, thanks ever so much to everyone who has posted suggestions on this there are quite a few avenues to explore that we certainly hadn't thought of! Especially adapting a chair from furrytractor reckon my o/h could certainly put something together!