Transporting a toddler conundrum

daska

Inspired by a recent post I thought I would ask for suggestions...

I have a 19 month old who is VERY active. Until now I have carried him on my lap on my mobility scooter. Unfortunately he's getting too big and strong now for this to be practical for much longer. I can't find another solution.

(we have such a low income that we are currently using my DLA award to help cover rent and utilities. there really isn't much scope to economise further without compromising our health, we have to have the car.)

allydowd

Have you asked for help from an occupational therapist? It's their job to find solutions to mobility problems. You could be entitled to a solution on the NHS or through social services. Get your gp to refer you.

daska

I'd love it to be that simple. We did mention it when my GP prescribed a wheelchair - I can't propel myself because I have ME but I didn't qualify for an powered chair, so I got an attendant wheelchair. Guess what, as forecast by us when I went for the first fitting, we can't propel the wheelchair and the pushchair! So it sits, pretty much unused, several hundred pounds of uselessness.

Savvy_Sue

OK, two suggestions, one is to ask for a specific referral to an Occupational Therapist, probably via your GP. The other is to contact REMAP - right up their street!

You can get a trolley to clip onto the front of a wheelchair in a supermarket, so it can't be beyond the bounds of possibility!

daska

The OTs will let me do a self referral BUT when I spoke to the 'screening' officer today she sounded profoundly uninterested in the problem when she heard I had a car and said they'd ring me again when they got the forms. A car is fine for long distances but it doesn't get me into Boots! I think I'll get my GP to refer me, they might take it more seriously.

Conversely, I've contacted REMAP - and got an almost instant response, they're looking for ideas...!

Are disabled parents not supposed to breed - it really amazes me that there doesn't appear to be ANY piece of equipment that fits the need of a disabled parent to go around town with a toddler!?!?!?!?

N.B. Before a kind-hearted troll suggests that I should have thought about these problems before choosing to have a child I'll just point out that I became disabled AFTER I got pregnant.

daska

OK, this is interesting, I found a link to a booklet on the JRF site:
http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/they-said-what-some-common-myths-about-disabled-parents-and-community-care-legislation
the OT has to assess me and take account of my "family responsibilities" - got them, how can I get my child to playgroup in a pedestrian only area by car?!?!?!?!?