Special needs buggy

sarah1711

Hi I was wondering if someone can help me, this is my first time posting on here although I read your threads all the time.

I have an autistic boy who refuses to walk alot of the time and has now outgrown his normal pushchair, I am finding it difficult in taking him out as I am 6 months pregnant now. We have been told by the wheelchair service that because of budget cuts they won't be able to provide us with a special needs buggy.

They are so expensive and I keep getting outbid on ebay!! Does anyone know where I can get one for a reasonable price?? Please help

PinotGrigio41

I have no idea if this post will be of any help to you as I have no personal experience of your situation. This might sound silly I know, but have you tried waiting until the last 5/10 secs when you bid on ebay, thats what we always do and win the item 99% of the time. Bit nerve racking though !Your post struck a chord with me as I have friends who have been in a similar situation in the past, so I had a quick google and came across the asd friendly website, I'm sure you have already done this though. Just thought it was interesting as there was mention of someone managing to get a buggy for £40 on ebay and I wondered whether maybe if you posted on there, somebody may have a 2nd hand one stashed away they may be willing to sell to you. Good luck, let us know how you get on .

blue_monkey_2

I bought mine from Boots. I'll be honest, you do not know how they have been treated, some autistic children have terrible tempers or will chew and bite them. I did get a 2nd hand one but it was in a dreadful condition and so someone else had it.

There will shortly be an offer at boots and they will give 1200 points for every £50 you spend - get an Advantage card if you do not already have one (if you are not near a Boots PM me and I will get you one to use online, I'll send it to you). You may have to go into store if the offer is only on there - but get one then. They are expensive - £250 when I got mine - but the points can be used in the January Sale when everything goes 75% off so you have spend them then and get presents for next Xmas. if that makes sense.

http://www.boots.com/en/Maclaren-Major-Elite-Pushchair-Charcoal-Scarlet_868697/ Special offer at the moment is 3000 points when you buy it. There might be codes knocking around but not sure.

Doula

Hi, I approached our local Lion's Club and they very kindly donated the monies for a special needs buggy for my grandson, who is 7 years old and has chromosome 5 syndrome and cannot walk far at all. It might be worth approaching them or any other local charity to you.

rev229

if you have a social worker they should be able to refer you to wheelchair services. But where I live its a lon wait. we bought our own buggy in the end but they are expensive.

sarah1711

Thanks for all the advice. rev229 wheelchair services won't help because of funding being cut. I'll try the local charities but if not looks like I might have to pay full price for one, just wanted to see if I could save some money with it being xmas soon. Thanks again everyone

kingfisherblue

Is it worth asking family members to give some money towards a buggy for your son for Christmas? I know a lot depends on your son, but some autistic children that I know are very difficult to buy for, because they don't play with toys and don't really understand getting new things.

sarah1711

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Is it worth asking family members to give some money towards a buggy for your son for Christmas? I know a lot depends on your son, but some autistic children that I know are very difficult to buy for, because they don't play with toys and don't really understand getting new things.

That's a good idea as he hates Christmas and will only play with cars and you can only buy so many cars!! Thanks for all the ideas everyone

bribri_2

OP: Has your child been assessed by an OT or physio as needing a buggy? That will have some bearing on whether you should accept wheelchair services answer about budget cuts.

You should also consider a social services assessment of need if your son is a risk to himself or others.

My suspiscion is that if wheelchair services are using budget cuts as a cover for not doing their job properly. Try and find out from other parents of autistic children on what grounds they received a buggy.

blue_monkey_2

OT said I should get one for my son but I did not get one via the referral, they said it would be a long wait, I do not know any other parents of Autistic chilren that have got one from wheelchair services, they have all bought one themselves - and I am a member of a large support group.

bribri_2

Familiarise yourself with this document
http://www.wheelchairmanagers.nhs.uk/servicestandards.pdf
I don't know if there is a more up to date one.

In particular, the reference to Carers (Representation and Services) Act 1995 and Appendix 2 with regard to expected response times.

If a need has been identified and you get a referral then they are more than likely obliged to provide. A good charity to contact who could provide a legal reference is Newlife charity http://www.newlifecharity.co.uk/ or whizzkidz who also undertake legal researchinto provsion such as
http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/APPG-Report-My-Wheelchair-is-My-Shoes-Final2.pdf