Scooters

Crisp_£_note

Hi

Please can anyone tell me if I can get a free scooter or really cheap one to help me get around? I had considered a moped but this is not an option now.

I have Ankylosing Spondilitis amongst other things and can't drive (I never passed my test). I rely on my husband mainly to give me lifts for daily things like appointments, shops etc. My friends are very helpful as well picking me up and dropping me off (I offer them petrol money but they almost always refuse as they are going to the same place anyway).

Not only is it dirupting my husbands work (thankfully he is self employed so more flexible than most but I still feel a burden) but I am beginning to feel embarraced that my friends have to do it as well.

I just want to be mobile and be able to get around my local area by myself. I am currently on Incapacity Benefit and we get Tax Credit for my husband but we are struggling at the moment (like many) so cant afford a new scooter. The bus and train are so expensive so I cannot catch these and a taxi is also out of the question. My home is outside of the main town centres so I have to get there before I do anything.

I just wondered if anyone had any ideas if there were any schemes I could hire a scooter from?

Many thanks

pipkin71

You can hire a scooter free of charge for the day from your shopmobility store in town. Some require a deposit, others don't - depends on your store. This will help you with getting around.

You can use services such as ring and ride, and perhaps get in touch with your OT team. My wheelchair came from them. They will also be able to assess you to see what other needs you have.

Try bargain pages, stuff like that to see if there are any for sale cheaper than buying new

daska

OTs won't provide scooters, nor will they provide power chairs if you're mobile inside the home. I'm assuming that, as you mention you're husband works, you aren't over retirement age. Have you applied for DLA? That might give you some extra income to put towards a scooter. Most shops deal with second hand/refurbished vehicles as well and a lightweight one woudl be a few hundred pounds brand new, less if second hand.

linni

Put a 'wanted' add on Freecycle. I have seen some on there but they are snapped up.

Savvy_Sue

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

My home is outside of the main town centres so I have to get there before I do anything.

How far? Because before getting a scooter, I would seriously consider how long it's going to take to get anywhere, and whether you'd be capable of that long a ride, especially if weather is not good. Also what the pavement / road surfaces are like.

Is there a Dial-A-Ride service in your area?

Crisp_£_note

Hi

Shop Mobility would mean I still had to find my way into the town I am guessing?

My local town is aprox 2 Miles and the other town in the area is about 5 miles away. I have 2 friends who use scooters to get about on bad days giving them freedome but they both live inner town centre area of local town.

What is dial-a-ride / local comunity transport?? And how is it different to the local 'taxi service'? Is it cheaper, free pass, no appointment / immediate lift on request?? Sorry no one has ever come to me with such scemes.

I did apply for DLA with the help of my local CAB disability specialist, but was turned down, so took it to appeal which was also turned down. I was told unless something changes with significant health consequences I should not bother to re-apply in future!

Thanks for help and suggestions so far

Savvy_Sue

Google dial a ride plus your town to find out if you have one. I think schemes vary from one area to another: it's not usually 'on demand', and it doesn't suit everyone because they sort the routes out according to who needs to go where from where. So you might find you were picked up early, driven all round the houses picking other people up, and then dropped at the GP or wherever, and then the same in reverse.

Crisp_£_note

Thanks I will have a look about for a scooter and in the meantime look at what local comunity transport there is. I have no objections to the scenic route as long as I dont take 2 hrs to get to the dr :rotfl:

Thanks

Savvy_Sue

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

Thanks I will have a look about for a scooter and in the meantime look at what local comunity transport there is. I have no objections to the scenic route as long as I dont take 2 hrs to get to the dr :rotfl:

it's one reason why one of my friends can't use his local dial-a-ride: he has ME, and those scenic rides finish him off! You would need to talk to them about it, and maybe start with something which wasn't time critical ...

parapusher

Have you tried applying for a free bus pass from the council? You have to be "eligible disabled" according to www.direct.gov.uk see: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/PublicAndCommunityTransport/DG_4019388

dawnsong

keep an eye on the disabreg website, they often have second hand scooters for sale, and sometimes a scooter is offered for free. There are always lots of scooters for sale on ebay.

good luck