First time to ride into WAV with wheelchair

[Lynne K]

Wish me luck all for later this afternoon. I’m having my first try of driving into my WAV up the ramp and staying in my wheelchair which will be set between and behind front two seats.

I feel a bit of trepidation about the ride being bumpy and the driving on the ramp, especially backwards.

I usually get pushed to the car in the light weight wheelchair and then hang on to the car frame and door to get myself into the passenger seat. I can still do this at a push but want to make sure that my transition to riding in my powered wheelchair is a smooth one. Lynne xx

[matthew55]

The very British luck to you. Go girl. 👍🍀😘🤗xx

[Lynne K]

Thanks Mathew xx

[Rosemary6NT]

Lynne K Good luck it can be a bit nerve wracking x

[Lynne K]

Thanks Rosemary xx

[LindaB]

Hope all goes well Lynne K 👍🏻🙏xx

[Nettie]

Lynne just take it slow and you will be fine 👍 good luck and enjoy x

[Deb]

Hi Lynne K . You do get used to driving in and out and we found we went out more because it was easier...,before lockdown.

I am comfortable in the back but my view is not great because I am high up. Stuart just checks my wheels are straight before I reverse out but really you'd feel it if they weren't.

Happy motoring,
Love Debbie x 😘🤗

[Ellie]

Lynne K Hope all went well on your first drive 🤞🤞

As Debbie says, it gets easier with practice xx

[Lynne K]

Thanks everyone. We’ve stopped at one of our BBC usual places overlooking a reservoir. Put the seatbelt on another way as it was across my diaphragm, and now where it ought be across my waist.

The drive here was like being in a washing machine at times and I don’t feel as comfy as I’d hoped before but getting comfy with my back is always a challenge.

My hair is brushing the roof and I’m only 5’5 so anybody taller with the same wheelchair wouldn’t fit.

It’s a bit claustrophobic in the back here. xx

[WheelsOfSteel]

Hi Lynne K , seeing as you have mentioned measurements...
I am having to look at roof heights etc. very carefully as I am 6ft tall.
I assume the Invacare TDX seems to be the standard issue motorised chair for most, and I was measured up for one at the weekend.
May I ask what make/model of vehicle your WAV is please? (as I will probably have to eliminate it from the list of WAVs I am looking at).
Hope you get used to your new ride, and settle in to enjoying it.
Cheers M'Dear.

[Lynne K]

Hi Lynne K , seeing as you have mentioned measurements...
I am having to look at roof heights etc. very carefully as I am 6ft tall.
I assume the Invacare TDX seems to be the standard issue motorised chair for most, and I was measured up for one at the weekend.
May I ask what make/model of vehicle your WAV is please? (as I will probably have to eliminate it from the list of WAVs I am looking at).
Hope you get used to your new ride, and settle in to enjoying it.
Cheers M'Dear.

Citroën Berlingo. My wheelchair is an Invacare Spectra XTR2 Xx

[Lynne K]

Backing out was easy. Travelling wasn’t nice, knocked all over. Sitting still boring as hardly could see anything xx

[Deb]

Hi Lynne K , seeing as you have mentioned measurements...
I am having to look at roof heights etc. very carefully as I am 6ft tall.
I assume the Invacare TDX seems to be the standard issue motorised chair for most, and I was measured up for one at the weekend.
May I ask what make/model of vehicle your WAV is please? (as I will probably have to eliminate it from the list of WAVs I am looking at).
Hope you get used to your new ride, and settle in to enjoying it.
Cheers M'Dear.

Hi WheelsOfSteel . I am 5 11 and use a mini salsa powerchair. Our WAV is a Peugeot Rifter Horizon. It is really comfortable and my head is a way from the roof, but my view out is really restricted. We did have the option of having the floor lowered or seats taken but it was eye wateringly expensive.

Good Luck,
Love Debbie x

[WheelsOfSteel]

Thanks Lynne K , that is interesting because I still had the Berlingo on my short list.
The "Door entry height" is reported on the motability site as something I should be able to fit through (my wheelchair assessor measured me in the chair).
Oh well - just have to get the chair and try it in a few demonstrators.
Thanks for responding.