Advise on a Motability Vehicle.

[Lynne K]

Thanks Ellie. Lynne x

[Terry]

You could try a thin flexible one like these:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rotating-Swivel-Car-Chair-Seat-Mobility-Aid-Cushion-With-Memory-Foam-Home-Office/132653581750?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Ddfc7ef62c0ea4905bf30c8ccc70b3572%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D163443527832%26itm%3D132653581750&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

No reviews on these but some other similar ones were probably a bit small.

You can also try two plastic carrier bags.

Love Terry

[Deb]

Hi Everyone,

I have been struggling to get out of our car recently to transfer. Our lovely physio is coming to our home next week to try some handles and turning seats, which I am hoping will provide a short term solution.

In the longer term I know I need to look at WAVS so I have been looking back at older threads to see recommendations. There is so much choice we are not sure where to start. I would quite like my wheelchair to be in the front next to the driver but I have read this is quite uncomfortable, maybe because of suspension?

Also, if you have the higher rate PIPS to use for your mobility car it seems to still take a while to be approved so I am guessing I should apply now.

Thank you for any advice,
Love Debbie x

[Terry]

Hi Debbie;
AV's, to sit next to the driver is by far the most comfortable way normally for people in wheelchairs because you're in-between the wheels and the suspension. Being in the back of small WAV's can be quite rough because you have all of the weight of the power chair and you over the rear wheels.

Some vans are better than others so I always say try before you buy and travel on roughish roads. It would be good to try a few out if you can so you get an idea of things.

Love Terry

[Lynne K]

Hi Terry. I just read your post about small WAVs. I'm going to change my motability car to a WAV in a month or 2. Only had my car nearly a year so they'll bill me for the shortened contract £250 I think despite me having put £1450 approx up front that I'll loose. Part of that cost was the hoist that's hardly been used. I'll definitely not get my moneys worth. My Ford garage doesn't do WAVs so I'll have to research and explore elsewhere. Lynne

[shrew]

Dont forget everyone there is the option to not use your mobility allowance and purchase a vehicle. We bought in 2012 a second hand (2007) fiat doblo for my late mum who had alzheimers and had lost the ability to walk. She passed away in oct 2013. As a family we still own the vehicle. It is on NI plates and came off the mobility scheme. From memory I think we paid about £4500 nearly 7 years ago for it. it is unsual in that it has 4 seats plus room for the chair.

[Barry52]

Hi Debbie,

Terry offers sound advice about trying vehicles if you intend to purchase one. If you go down the Motability route then you will need the higher pip allowance. I’m not sure from what you say if you have the higher pip but if not apply now. With Motability the vehicle tends to be 16 weeks from order and more if it requires modifications.

Best wishes,
Barry x

[Terry]

Hi Lynne,

Sorry to hear about your car, I always point people towards a WAV straight away if you can't use a normal automatic car.

I don't know much about the Mobility Scheme but I thought that they would exchange the vehicle if it no longer suited. I didn't think that you had to pay a early exit fee of £250.

If you get a new WAV on the scheme you will have to make a down payment for it.

Love Terry

[Sueb]

Hi Lynne

We exchanged our moability car for a wav. We didn’t have to pay the £250 but you do have to have a year left on your pips assessment. They gave us a grant towards the down payment, but this means tested and they have some say in what they want you to have. We had to have a large van because Steve’s chair is quite large. We didn’t have their suggestions but allied who went through had to submit photos to say what we chose was ok. It did take a while to sort but some of that was because I wanted automatic and they were changing something to do with the engines at the time.
If you go on motability site you can look at the different wavs and the company’s will bring them out for you to test. We tested three different ones from two different companies.
Sue

[Lynne K]

Thanks for the info Sue. I didn't know that you could have more than one brought out. When you say that it it took a while, how long are you talking about and did you keep a previous motability car until it was time to take posession of the WAV or what? We want auto and hopefully petrol not diesel but most that I've seen online so far are diesel. Lynne

[Lynne K]

I have the higher rate PIP Debbie. Thanks for confirming time scales. Lynne

[Deb]

Thanks Everyone for your replies . This is the best place for advice,

Sorry not to be clear but I do have the higher rate of PIPS. We have been managing with our car so far. The time scales are really useful, so we know to order one before it becomes an absolute necessity. Also means hubby won't have to lift and dismantle heavy scooter and wheelchair.
We are going to look at WAVS this week and have a test.

At the risk of sounding totally girly, I'll choose the colour!.
Thank you,
Love Debbie x

[Kayleigh]

I hope you enjoy shopping for a WAV Debbie.

Nothing wrong with being girly! - I'd choose red to co-ordinate with my favourite nail varnish

I hope you and your family are having a lovely day.

Kayleigh xx

[Lynne K]

Sounds good about trying out WAVs this week. I look forward to how you get on because as well as thinking of your search going well I'm going to do the same in a month or so. I'll be watching for tips and feedback. Good luck Deb Lynne x

[Barry52]

Debbie it is your prerogative to choose the colour. I’m the driver (our dear departed Max used this) and I get to choose the vehicle but my wife always chooses the colour.

Barry x