Looking for the silver lining

Bubblesmum

dear Mrs SA, BM guide to mobility scooters will be typed tomorrow as had rather a large glass of vino..

I have had 4 scooters and have an OT perspective ... Watch this space to tomorrow xxxx

please-let-me-be-lucky

Oh dear, naughty DS! I'm sure he's feeling very sheepish and apologetic right now, but it's a shame he upset both you and GF.

Boo to stupid managers and daft plans Xx

Sun_Addict

Thank you Lucky and BM I await your (sober) response x

Just watched The C Word - very sad but very interesting. Thought Mr SA wouldn't want to watch it but he thought it was good. Certainly puts things into perspective.

Bubblesmum

Hiring

(I have never done this as found I could afford (or Daddy could) the small scooters that were what I needed, however I am seriously considering hiring an off road type one as new is about £4-5k

To me the advantages of hiring

• no upfront cost
• service agreement
• upgrade when you choose
• trying out different models to find what suits you

Disadvantage

• wear and tear agreement
• paying far more then the totsl value of the scooter

Some dealers will do deals using DLA/PIP payments

Personally like cars I prefer to buy outright than hire, however that means I am responsible for Maintenence costs.

Additional costs
1. insurance - not compulsory as yet, but I feel important in case I run over someone's big toe and you can get recovery insurance if you choose to have a road worthy vehicle
2. road fund licence if you choose a road worthy 8mph vehicle
3. Hoist to lift in and out of car approx £350 including fitting
4. annual service appeox £100 ( cheaper if you take it to a dealer rather than home visit)
5. New battery every 4 years depending how much you use it approx £100
6. If housed outside, scooter shed ( I once had an outdoor plastic storage shed from B@Q adapted )
7 scooter poncho or hood for large vehicles if you want to go out in rain, to keep control box and batter dry as well as you !

Bubblesmum

Cheap v Expensive

I have had 4 mobility scooters - all travel size to enable them to go in the boot of the car - orginally I could lift it in to my sports car hatchback, but now we allow hoists to take the strain.....

1. Original Sunrise medical three wheel compact scooter - 13 years old, still going strong, two new batteries, use it mostly now to get to the pub, and taking Mr Borrowmydoggy for a walk, as its robust and has a comfy seat, stable base, for going along the Thames Path. I paid £1500

2. Internet scooter - £500 this was foldable compact and batteries were compliant with traveling on the plane. However, I over turned on a cable protector at a concert, i had bruised ribs, and more importantly the control box hit concrete, and was damaged because like many electric goods nowadays it's sealed and was deemed U repairable, I rescued the battery but the body went to the tip.

3. Gifted to me when disaster struck re 2 and I was the third own - I had it for another 6 years - very reliable - rather like the Sterling Little Star which I just googled at £349.00. It died after I went over a very rocky path at a NT property... Electrics again.

4. I now have a TGA minimo - it is about £1800 but is very compact, and when folded into an upright position, can be wheeled like a suitcase. I bought this because I wanted a British manufacturer who I could return to if I had problems, one that I could travel with and one that would sit in our estate car along side my husbands fixed frame wheelchair. Also from my experience with No 1 the more I could afford hopefully the longer it would last.

I also come from the perspective that both our wheelchairs cost between £2500 - £3000 :eek ( there titanium)

Sun_Addict

Thank you for going to all that trouble BM The dilemma we have is how long Mr SA will need the scooter for and that's why initially we were looking into hiring. It wasn't that long ago he was starting to go to the gym and then suddenly his mobility went downhill. I have to be careful with him as he gets a bee in his bonnet when he wants something (like he pestered for joining the gym) and then he goes off the boil once he's got it and moves on to the next whim. The scooter would need to be portable enough to fit in the carer's car boot. I don't think Mr SA is allowed to go on the road with one as he's not allowed to drive until 2 years after the shunt operation. The lady who came round from the scooter hire place said she was concerned his reactions were slow and doubted he should be allowed on the road.

Having a pottering about day in the garden and house today as it's my last day off before going back to work Mr SA is worrying about tomorrow (understandably).

Bubblesmum

If it was me, I would look at the type of scooter that would best suit me first and then see whether I could hire it or buy it outright.

Mrs SA - taking a history from your diary.

1. No car - so use will be out and about on local pavements and perhaps bus and train ( you have to register with your train company, as they only will accept up to a certain weight of scooter usually class 2 4mp)

2. Due to OH condition, being with someone or only going short distances alone is safer for all - would suggest a class 2 4mph pavement scooter rather than class3 8mph road worthy one.

3. Where are you going to store it - garage?

4. What is OH build, is he tall - some of the smaller scooters donot have adjustment seats so stomach/legs position can be uncomfortable. plus you could be top heavy, if he is a bigger build.

5. four wheels ( 2 at front as well as back) rather than 3 - I have always had 3 because of turning curve and movability in shops etc.

6. Buy/hire from a well known chain of dealership, or the man up the road or ebay.

7. hire, second hand or new.

Second hand may be an option, and the dealers do reconditioned ones as well as a local man.

8. Have you a local shop mobility, where OH could try some out, and they may reccomend local dealers etc.

9. Did OH get on with the one you hired on holiday - was there any pros or cons.

ANY QUESTIONS Do Ask !!!!!!!!

Sun_Addict

Thank you once again. He got on fine with the one on holiday but it was a little too large for everyday use. All he really needs it for is going to the local shop for a paper and for going out with the carer to parks to walk the dog. I intend to get him enrolled in the Shopmobility scheme for when we go into town. I think he could also do with a lightweight wheelchair to use now and again. I think what I'll do is go back to the dealer who we were in contact with before and see what they can come up with for hiring via the Motability scheme. I don't want to be tied in for a minimum hire term because of the nature of his condition, no one can predict what will happen.

Thank you once again, your advice has been very helpful.

Bubblesmum

Dear SM

Agree with scooter hire lady about reactions etc....

My Gut feeling is to go with hire as a short term view with a little travel scooter, that for an able bodied person would be fairly easy to lift into the car, ( you often can make it lighter by taking the battery out before lifting) most of our friends and family lift my scooter in, which is equivalent in weight to a NHS wheelchair.

I would then just consider stability - with the lady that is hiring. The worst thing you want is tipping over.

Then if it's a great success maybe buy a second hand one....

I would also say that in my circumstances my disability is a constant one which will be still there in a decades time. I appreciate that life is different for you.

So while acknowledging tomorrow - embrace the joy of today, and hire so he can go off for that coffee...... Make memories for the album.....

It has taken along time for me to embrace using a scooter all the time, but as my Wednesday diary showed it can be so liberating... I hope you holiday showed OH that.

Bubblesmum

1. ask your GP for a referral to the NHS wheelchair service
2. In the short term you can hire from the local Red Cross for free for a 12 week period.
3. Consider your options with wheelchair service - NHS wheelchairs are still very heavy, if offered one, ensure you can Lift it into the car. If he wants to self propel it might also be too heavy.
4. NHS Wheelchair service does have a voucher scheme, they will give you a voucher equivalent in value to what they deem is your need.... I think I got around £200 9 years ago, then you can go to your local dealer and choose one that is more suitable ie lightweight.


I think the first time I put £50 towards it.... Last time I chose titinuim and had to put £1800 towards it... But I did want it for tall ship sailing, and to be able to self propel ( I have a very weak right arm). again this is a lifetime investment, and I use my scooter more. Wheelie comes out for pop concerts when I have a friend who will push and I want to be comfortable :rotfl:


Does your scooter hire lady do wheelies as well, can she advise?