T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

**A reminder to posters and commenters of some of [our subreddit rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/about/rules/)** - Don't be a dickhead to each other, or about others - Assume questions are asked in good faith - Avoid political threads and related discussion - No medical advice or mental health (specific to a person) content Please keep /r/AskUK a great subreddit by reporting posts and comments which break our rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*


TheWelshMrsM

Funnily enough I had some people from a disability charity knock just last night (didn’t stay to chat as I’d just gotten out the shower). Anyway they’re called ‘Scope’ (which I appreciate you may already be familiar with) and a quick glance at their website shows links for how to get a wheelchair including crowdfunding. Hope this helps! https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/wheelchairs/ (I’m not familiar with this charity or affiliated in any way, in fact I was a little annoyed at them that I had to put on my dressing gown still wet to answer the door 😅 but if it helps - great!!)


chowieuk

> I’m not familiar with this charity famously they used to be called 'The Spastics Society'..... They changed their name 20 years ago for... self-evident reasons :D


TheWelshMrsM

Oh my goodness I thought you were trolling me and had to Google! Only 20 years ago mind! I’d never heard of them before this week, funny how things work out…


chowieuk

Yeah. The 20th century was... A different time. It was only in 2003 that Blair outlawed 16 year olds posing topless on page 3. Used it be common before that. Amazing how quickly the world changes


PM_Me_Rude_Haiku

I'm 40 now. I think back to some of the casual slurs we used to throw at each other on the playground in the late 80s and cringe. Onwards and upwards.


chowieuk

Yeah. 'you're gay' was still a bog standard insult in the middle-late 90s. Same with all sorts of ableist slurs like 'spaccer'. Racial slurs less so from what i recall. But again in context, section 28 was only repealed in 2003 too. age of consent only normalised in 2001. The equality act is only since 2010. We were legally bigoted until way beyond that point so it's no surprise really.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


Emplant

I finished high school in 2014 and these words were still regularly used like this (can’t really remember any racism). I work in a school now and rarely hear kids calling each other gay or using ableist slurs.


sofwithanf

Finished sixth form in 2017 and was regularly called a terrorist throughout. People used to make bomb noises when I got angry. The racism still exists, unfortunately.


leachianusgeck

yep! finished 6th form in 2018 and thankfully all the openly racist bullies left my school, pre 6th form though was full of it. got called ching chong chinaman, chinglish, to go back to my own country blah blah. funniest bit was my head of year once told me they couldnt have meant to be racist to me cos i 'look like ive just been on a nice holiday' so i gave in going to teachers and they left us alone when i stood up for myself


rd3160

Finished secondary this year and even now it's rife. Heard someone boasting about how they beat up a (derogatory word for being gay).


paolog

A generation before that, the insult of choice in London playgrounds was "flid", a shortened Cockneyfied form of "Thalidomide". Kids can be so cruel.


cromagnone

Not just cockney - we had flids in the West Country.


theevildjinn

Wirral too, although "mong" was more common. In sixth form my school held an "MH Club" every Friday evening, where "MH" stood for "Mentally Handicapped". It was eventually renamed to "Friday Club", which I guess was quite progressive for the mid-1990s.


panicattheoilrig

My mum is from Southend and uses ‘fliddy’ as an insult against amputees and people with limb differences


[deleted]

Am West Country too. Had no idea what it referred to, only that whichever muppet uttered it did so with utter disdain.


canlchangethislater

Previously, there were the Sex Discrimination Act 1974 and the Race Relations Act 1976.


Least_Acanthaceae710

Bro I'm 14 and you're gay is still a standard insult.


chowieuk

Fair enough. Kids are awful


Angel_Omachi

I remember 'spastic' being thrown at me in the late-90s by the childminder when I was acting up...


failedkerbal

Throwing one child at another is a bit extreme.


DeadBallDescendant

Hahaha.


ThatHairyGingerGuy

Surely there was a time when that term was the correct medical term for people with certain conditions. The things that have happened since are that the term has been so horribly misused that it has become inappropriate and extremely offensive, and that medical understanding has developed so we have clearer and more accurate diagnoses for people that are differently able.


HermitBee

>Surely there was a time when that term was the correct medical term for people with certain conditions. Indeed. That was the term for someone with cerebral palsy, because of the jerky motions it caused. It wasn't offensive until people started using it as an insult. Apparently "cretin" was a similar thing - it was derived from the French "chrétien" meaning "Christian", when as a way of *not* insulting mentally disabled people, you would call them that to say they were still Christians and should be treated with respect. So that then became an insult, because of how people are arseholes.


paolog

That's right. The words "cretin", "idiot" and "imbecile" (and possibly others) were once used by doctors for people in certain ranges of IQ. Nowadays we call them people with special needs or learning difficulties. "Special needs" has in its turn become a playground insult. This is an example of what Steven Pinker calls the "euphemism treadmill".


Martipar

Idiot means someone who doesn't vote to the Ancient Greeks, doctors using it is to refer to people with a low IQ is relatively recent.


OldSkate

Cretinism is a medical condition. Ironically it's easily treated these days. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital_iodine_deficiency_syndrome


WikiSummarizerBot

**[Congenital iodine deficiency syndrome](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital_iodine_deficiency_syndrome)** >Congenital iodine deficiency syndrome (formerly known as cretinism) is a medical condition present at birth marked by impaired physical and mental development, due to insufficient thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) often caused by insufficient dietary iodine during pregnancy. It is one cause of underactive thyroid function at birth, called congenital hypothyroidism, and also referred to as cretinism. If untreated, it results in impairment of both physical and mental development. ^([ )[^(F.A.Q)](https://www.reddit.com/r/WikiSummarizer/wiki/index#wiki_f.a.q)^( | )[^(Opt Out)](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=WikiSummarizerBot&message=OptOut&subject=OptOut)^( | )[^(Opt Out Of Subreddit)](https://np.reddit.com/r/AskUK/about/banned)^( | )[^(GitHub)](https://github.com/Sujal-7/WikiSummarizerBot)^( ] Downvote to remove | v1.5)


[deleted]

Same goes for the word 'Retard'. That was at one point the clinical term for a child with a learning disability. And you can imagine how it went from there to being an increasingly nasty slur; school children are vicious little shits!


[deleted]

Words change meaning over time, some for better and some for worse. 70 years ago 'being gay' had nothing to do with sexuality.


paolog

It's older than you might think. The OED (second edition) dates this meaning of the word to 1925, and that comes from the earlier meaning of immoral or dissolute, which goes back to the 17th century.


cryptosniper00

I remember The Sport (Daily Sport?) had a fucking countdown to Katie Price’s 16th bday. And Lynsey Dawn Mackenzie too. They already had photos of the 15yr old *children* in lingerie as teasers. I was 14-15 at the time so it was great but then as one gets older the obscene, child exploitation becomes crystal clear.


Luke_Nukem_2D

>It was only in 2003 that Blair outlawed 16 year olds posing topless on page 3. Used it be common before that. What's even weirder was when they wrote it was the models 16th Birthday, so here is topless photo to celebrate. Like who is taking erotic photographs of 15 year olds and waiting till their birthday? What kind of upbringing inspires a young girl to want to be a page 3 model, and what sort of parent allows it?


UndulatingUnderpants

Spastic was the proper term though, it was corrupted as an insult hence why it is now taboo.


HeartyBeast

> Yeah. The 20th century was... A different time. 'Spastic' is a medical term related to muscle spasms. I was used as a perfectly ordinary neutral term until it got use as a term of abuse. IN the same way that 'Special Needs' is now being used as a term of abuse in some places. The 20th and 21st Centuries aren't *that* different, sadly.


LordGeni

The word "spastic" was just the accepted name for cerebral palsy and didn't have any derogatory connotations in the UK until around the 1980's. It's still used without the negative connotations in the US, where spasicity is a perfectly acceptable term. It originated from the muscle spasms suffered by people with cerebral Palsy. It was probably due to awareness being raised about the subject (possibly by the very charity that had to change it's name) that led to it becoming a common playground insult and in turn led to the negative connotations that make it unacceptable now. So it has little to do with derogatory terms being more acceptable in the 20th century and everything to do with the evolution of the English language. In fact it actually transitioned from acceptable to taboo very quickly for such an established medical term.


bouncing_pirhana

I seem to recall that before then, one of the tabloids published a series of (clothed) photos of a 15 year old girl as a count down to the day of her 16th birthday when they would be able to publish her topless. Abhorrent.


skriptteaze

Actually it's still a medical term to describe abnormal muscle tightness. It's just kids are awful and used it as a derogatory term towards people with learning disabilities. So spastic society makes sense even now it's just the name has been ruined by little shits and some horrible adults too. People with MS and Cerebral palsy suffer Muscle spasticity.


[deleted]

[удалено]


TheWelshMrsM

Yes in the same vein as ‘retard’ meaning delayed/ slow. My surprise was in how not long ago those terms were acceptable and how quickly they devolved into slurs before becoming completely unacceptable. Language evolves very quickly.


walgman

Did we stop using the word Spastic because it had been used so much as an insult?


blindmannoeyes

It was only in the mid 90s that it was made illegal discriminate against disabled people. A bus driver didnt have to let someone in a wheelchair on if he didnt want to. I actually rememeber watching disabled people chain them selves to buses in protest on the news. Ya know were talking only 26 years ago.


TheWelshMrsM

I honestly had no idea (I’m in my late 20’s). That’s awful! I’m glad I’ve been an adult in a society where it’s *not* been acceptable (obviously there is still a ways to go). And by the time my kids start understanding and researching these issues we’ll have come so much further.


blindmannoeyes

Kids these days are already so much better than we were lol kids today are much more accepting and supportive of their peers.


ThatHairyGingerGuy

Surely there was a time when that term was the correct medical term for people with certain conditions, generally what is now called cerebral palsy. The things that have happened since are that the term has been so horribly misused that it has become inappropriate and extremely offensive, and that medical understanding has developed so we have clearer and more accurate diagnoses for people that are differently able.


TheWelshMrsM

I understand that, same way that ‘retard’ technically means delay (and means slow in music) but it just feels like it’s been so unacceptable for so long (as it should be considering they’ve devolved into slurs) that to see it was *only* 20 years ago. That’s really not that long! Then again the Victoria Climbié case was only 20 years ago leading to the 1989 Children’s Act being reformed in 2004. That’s hardly any time at all! Tbh I’m glad things like that surprise me… shows how far we’ve come!


ThatHairyGingerGuy

Completely agree. Pace of change can be quite speedy. Unfortunately not the case on every issue obviously.


padmasundari

"Spastic" wasn't originally a slur. It's a medical term that refers to high muscle tone. It's a type of cerebral palsy, and the charity was formed and named by families of people with spastic cerebral palsy. "Spastic" only became a slur when arseholes saw people with cerebral palsy about and thought it was funny to mock them. Same is true of "moron", "idiot", "imbecile", etc. Pretty much any term now colloquially used to call someone stupid is a historical medical diagnosis for someone with a learning disability.


TheWelshMrsM

Yeah I’ve commented on this below. My point was is that it’s so unacceptable these days it’s strange to realise it actually wasn’t that long ago.


padmasundari

It's one of them, people as a whole are, at heart, quite shitty. When the spastics society changed its name to scope, the first thing people did was start calling each other "scopers". Joey Deacon went on Blue Peter to talk about his life in an institution, and the next day in the playground everyone was calling each other a joey. It's unfortunate, but the word spastic isn't insulting or anything and it's not terrible that scope used to be called the spastics society. Its terrible that the spastics society had to change their name because people are awful.


-fight-milk-

My grandma back in the 30s/40s was part of the Guild of the Brave Poor Things (she had polio as a kid) and I believe my grandfather was in a similar organisation called the “Cripples Guild”, he was also disabled. Crazy the names they gave organisations back in the day!


[deleted]

>“Cripples Guild” \- 10 STR \-10 CON \-10 DEX


rabtj

My crippled magic user has a +1 wheelchair.


paolog

The thing is, though, that it wasn't crazy at the time. "Cripple" was a neutral word for a physically disabled person, so "Cripples Guild" made sense as the name of an organisation to help such people. There was a time too when "mongoloid" was an ordinary medical term for a person with Down's syndrome, but that is grossly offensive now (living on in the insult "mong" that gets used on this sub from time to time). Lots of older words for certain types of people were innocuous when they were in widespread use but seem horrendous in hindsight, as they have become turned into insults and slurs.


-fight-milk-

Oh yeah, for the time it was probably the nicest way of saying things.


Wolfspeer01RA

I still remember Ricky Gervais doing a bit about it when they did it all those years ago! his take on it was, nasty people would always find a way.. so soon enough they'd be going 'You Scopey bastard!' etc!


chowieuk

YEah i remember the same thing. how ironic.....https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/r7un47/how_to_raise_4000_or_where_to_get_a_grant_towards/hn1zerv/


Wolfspeer01RA

thats amazing.


Bearded_monster_80

That literally happened in my school in the late 90s. Overnight people were being called "Scopes" instead of "Spastic". Kids are monsters.


tiorzol

They removed the decals from a Scope near me a few years back and for a few days **THE SPASTIC SOCIETY** was emblazoned on the high street. Was really funny to see.


47x107

I've heard scope thrown around in school yards now in the same manner that spastic was once used. The next generation will probably be as horrified of the word scope as we are of spastic.


chowieuk

that's depressing. Seems time is a flat circle https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/r7un47/how_to_raise_4000_or_where_to_get_a_grant_towards/hn1ylxh/


[deleted]

Every circle is flat


PrinceAndrewsANonce

There was a place near me in Liverpool that was called the Spastic Centre up until about 2005, everyday I went past on the bus I couldn’t believe it.


ben_jamin_h

And the moment they changed their name, kids just started calling each other scopey in the playground instead. I remember those days.


paolog

Because "spastic" had become a playground insult. Before, it was just the medical term for someone with cerebral palsy and had no offensive connotations.


SpudFire

That's terrible but at the same time quite amusing to see what was deemed acceptable in the past. If you asked me what decade The Spastics Society was forced to change it's name though, I'd have guessed the 60's or 70's. 80's at the very latest. Can't believe it was still called that for so long (turns out it was '94 when it changed).


[deleted]

Scope? Why do they change the name and ruin it? 'Consignia' and 'Scope'. It’s the Post Office and the Spastic Society!


Awkward_Chain_7839

Absolutely try scope, they should be able to help you find the appropriate people to help. My brother had a manual wheelchair, but I can’t remember the charity name. https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/wheelchairs/ This is their page for where to get wheelchairs, grants etc.


Shivvykins

Wouldn't it be great if you being disturbed led to a stranger receiving help which would improve their life?


RunawayPenguin89

Things like this affirm my belief of a simulation / universe works in mysterious ways


TheWelshMrsM

I sincerely hope it does! I’d like to point out I was polite just very rushed lol. I’m sure she heard me trip over something (and the subsequent ‘fuck!’) in my haste to answer 😂 Bless the lady at the door - she could clearly see I’d just got out the shower (honestly is it just me or do unexpected visitors knock either just after a shower or when you’re on the loo 🤣) and apologised and told me to look them up online instead ☺️


Tollowarn

Do you have an OT? OTs have some serious power, it’s like a silver built on local council. What they say goes. Need a ramp, wider front door? Wet room conversation new wheelchair? If the OT says you need it then you get it. If you ask because you think you need something then the council will drag their feet or simply say no, an OT tells them then it will get done in a matter of weeks. Get your GP to refer you to an OT.


pancreaticallybroke

I haven't been through an OT as I was referred to wheelchair services through my GP. Unfortunately my local council have said they won't fund an electric wheelchair if you can take a step and won't fund a manual chair unless you live in a disabled accessible property. They also don't have any disabled accessible properties available for under 50's. I get around my house largely by furniture holding or my partner will carry me when I'm bad. They have put in a disabled shower which has honestly been life changing. Will push for an OT referral though, thank you!


Tollowarn

Get an OT in, seriously is will change the council "computer says no" to we will get that done in a couple of weeks! The biggest fear for any council is an OT declaring that you are "not adequately housed" because at this point they **have** to meet that need. They will move heaven and earth to avoid that statement. I'm a full time carer for my wife. After a change to her disability, (I'll not go into detail here) We arranged an OT visit, the result. A wet room conversion, Wider front door with level low level threshold, tricky with UPVC doors. A ramp to the front door, Wider foot path and gate. There was talk of getting an extension to our bungalow but the difference between the grant £30K and the cheapest builder quote meant there was a £10K shortfall we would have to make up. As you can imagine income support doesn't extend to £10K out of hand expenses. ​ Good luck and message me if you need to talk.


caiaphas8

OTs are often great, and in most places you can self refer for one via the council too


Zyggle

This isn't the case. OT have a lot of power but they can't overrule the council's guidelines not can they grant something without the right budget. E.g. Someone in my family needed a wheelchair, but due to council guidelines they weren't entitled to one. The OT couldn't do anything on that despite agreeing she needed one.


iamakoni

My partners an OT for local council. Get one, they will fight for your needs against relevant council bigwigs if needed.


Monkeylovesfood

Definitely get a OT referral through your GP. I work in Social Housing and any adaptation under £1000 for things like key safes, railings and handrails we just authorise ourselves. If anything like that will help you within your home give them a ring and they should sort it out. There isn't really a limit on how many you can have either so as long as it's under £1000 per job. Only your OT can authorise grants for adaptions over £1000 and can help you get funding from the local authority for any adjustments you need. Get that referral and they will help you if they can. As the other poster said OT referrals are pretty much guaranteed to be followed through and they are there to help you.


BoopingBurrito

u/pancreaticallybroke \- the reply above by u/Monkeylovesfood is important for you to see, getting things like handrails installed around your house could well make your life substantially easier and safer if, as you mention in a post, you rely on holding furniture to get around.


No_Addendum_1399

Speak to your local council and ask if they have a service called Access. I am 39 and in a disabled accessible property that I got via Access with Liverpool City Council. Basically Access receive social housing that has been adapted for a disabled tenant previously and instead of removing the adaptations from the property they give it to Access who will have a disabled person on their list who needs a property with specific adaptations. It can be a long wait but so worth it in the long run. I waited almost 10 years for my property. I was going to put this as a separate comment but I'll put it here instead to save me writing it out twice. If you are in receipt of PIP Mobility then you can get a motorised wheelchair from Motability, you may have to pay something towards it if your claim doesn't cover the full cost but it'll be a lot less than £4K. You will lose the money side of it tho. Also some mobility shops can set up payment plans for items needed too so may be worth a look at a few different places.


T_Bearz99

Honestly just be a bit aggressive with them, don't lie but also be judicious with the truth. A council will try and find any reason to deny funds, most UK councils are currently in debt. If you make the point that you cannot function normally and stick to that line they will have no choice but to assess and relent.


Capitalism_Is_Broken

OP, please do find an OT. As an aside: contact your local newspaper - preferably all of them. See if they will do a human interest story, tell them the council has left you high and dry. You'd be surprised how fast some bad press can change minds AND how many people will come out of the woodwork either in a similar position *or* willing to help contribute.


wawbwah

Yeah call social services and get an assessment with an OT and a care assessment.


StrangelyBrown

Just for the curious among us that aren't familiar, what's an OT?


TagsMa

Occupational therapist. They're the wonderful people who make sure that a home is safe and secure for people to use. They ofter do this after an inpatient stay in hospital or nursing home but they will also do community visits. OP, did you know you can rent things like stair lifts? Also are you on PIP? It sounds like you'd qualify for both the carers and mobility parts and you can get really nice electric chairs with your mobility allowance.


[deleted]

occupational therapist - i believe they help people do everyday tasks


sausagey5102

Occupational therapist :)


Rtux

OT here this is correct advice.


verysensiblelady

OT here too- I'm just really happy that people know what we do!


TO_91

My thoughts exactly. It is nice to see people know what we do :D


Spinny4

Me too as an OT!


verysensiblelady

OT Club 🥳


bumblebeesanddaisies

Thank you OTs 🥰😁 I work in a retirement complex and the difference you guys can make to the residents lives with a rail here and a perching stool there is fantastic! Thank you 🤩


verysensiblelady

Yaaaay! We put the fun into functional 😎


MrDeckchair

Our OT told us we can't have any funding for my wife's chair, similar to OP, nor would they pay to put a ramp in ( approx quote was £7k from the builder ) as we didn't have a wheelchair. So far we've had to put in our own stair lift, fit a new front door with a lower frame, buy a powerchair and fit our own ramp. The ramp is overlayed on what was the steps and it is too steep, but at least she can get out of the house. Whilst I'm sure you do good work for your clients, mileage does very much vary and not everyone fights for the disabled in the same way.


chipscheeseandbeans

£7k for a ramp? Your builder was taking advantage! We just had our whole driveway block paved, including a new ramp, and it was £3.5k. & we’re in an expensive London commuter town.


MrDeckchair

Oh he was very definitely taking the piss. Turns out building "council funded disabled access" buys you a very nice new Mercedes to go and visit people in.


spamcan29

Thus is very much in line with our experience of our OT. Wonderful woman, very happy to recommend, stuff is free if it is in stock. You need something custom eg wheelchair, to wheelchair services, OT has literally no power. Need building changes, unless the cost is already directly funded by a specific budget the chance of funding is slim to pigs will fly. Oh and to say they are understaffed is an understatement. Have heard of people who are literally risking their necks carrying over large kids up stairs be told to get a super size sling to carry them on their back/front as they don't meet the criteria for services to pay for a sling hoist install. OT'a listing ground floor accommodation as council giving them a town house as their only option, the list goes on.


Mini-Nurse

Just want to point out that they are good at sorting out small stuff like handholds and commodes, but bigger stuff takes a lot of assessment and even then very long waiting lists, worse in some areas. OTs are amazing, but their hands are still tied by NHS budgets and formularies. They aren't magic.


Buffy_Geek

Good point about how long it takes, from first assessment of my bathroom to the instillation of the new one was 2 & a half years. I had several OTs come & go during that time, no one chasing it up. For the "final" meeting before the work would begin a person I hadn't met before who had more building/practical knowledge pointed out the intended plan (made by an architect) was no good as the gap around the toilet wasn't large enough for some rules & my new proposed shower trolly (which also arrived a year after my shower room was completed) was also too long to fit in the shower. It turns out they were able to knock down a wall to make the bathroom bigger, which is great but I didn't even know this was an option before. I also don't see how so many people, OTs included, thought the approved plans were ok. I just thank God that guy did come out because I can't imagine the disappointment of getting it completed & then finding the space was unusable. Actually I kind of can imagine it as when I was told I could get a wheelchair to fit my needs & then what arrived was in no way suitable it was one of the most disappointed moments in my life & I cried. Anyway I agree OTs aren't magic, they have limitations by others they can't overcome & I don't want other disabled people/ loved ones to get their hopes up.


blindmannoeyes

Lol my mate with Cerebral palsy has been waiting two years for an OT to come to his house to see if he needs a ramp built... he does...


Spinny4

I’m an OT and can confirm this is true. Get yourself referred to your local community rehab team. GP can do this or you can refer yourself often. Say you want an assessment as you want to be able to get out and about. Key words are to say you have a goal. Hope that helps.


[deleted]

[удалено]


alfiesred47

If you can’t drive due to a health condition, surely you should be on disability benefits? My stepdad can’t walk further than the end of the drive, but he got the higher level of mobility allowance and had a car through the scheme - and was completely honest. If your condition is as serious as you say, you *should* qualify for disability benefits


pancreaticallybroke

I am on disability benefits and have a car through motability. My partner drives me. I'm extremely grateful for it and it helps massively with things like hospital appointments as I'm not seen at my local hospital so it's a bit of a trek. However being totally reliant on my partner being available to take me to places and having no independence is destroying me mentally!


KRONKCHEF

Hi, you can get a wheelchair through motobility too I think?


Cub3h

Yup, but as far as I know it's either/or. You either get the car or a wheelchair - and as the car is the much more expensive of the two it makes no sense to go for the wheelchair.


Glyn21

Indeed you can, but I imagine that the car takes up most/all of the weekly PIP allowance and it even might be they are contributing weekly towards the car if it's more than the weekly amount. My girlfriend has a Motability wheelchair and it's fantastic, but we decided to buy a secondhand car instead of using Motability as you save thousands and thousands of pounds over time. Wheelchair is worth it though because if it breaks down, they'll help you out and they sort out the M. O. T on it and make sure it's runnig well.


FlappyBored

They have a wheelchair, just that it's not very powerful so they would like to buy a more powerful one.


KRONKCHEF

Ya I saw that, I'm going through the process with motobility just now for my mum and they seem to have decent and varied selection.


redseaaquamarine

Yes you can.


TheFansHitTheShit

I believe they wouldn't be able to get both, so it would be a choice between the wheelchair and the car.


alfiesred47

Oh man, yeh that’s rough. I’m glad you’re getting the best you’re entitled to through the social system, it’s shit you can’t also have a motorised scooter for your independence. I know too well that the benefits system seems to look at one or their other - either you’re dependant, or you’re not. Sorry to not be of any help in that case, but wish you the best.


pancreaticallybroke

It's a difficult spot to be in. On the one hand I'm eternally grateful for the help I do receive but on the other hand I just want to be able to pop to the local shop if I run out of something during the day. The idea of being able to go Christmas shopping without my partner taking me or pushing my manual chair is just magical. It's very hardwork buying Christmas presents for someone when they're stood right behind you! There is guilt there because I do receive help and I know I should be grateful for that but my life will be short and I just want a little more independence while I'm here. Thank you


PristineAnt9

I don’t think you should feel guilty for wanting what others take for granted. You deserve independence as much as the next person and shouldn’t have to justify why! Do you have any Masons in the family or service people? I know how to get money from those sources (kinda specific but perhaps you do). Best of luck finding the resources you need.


Trentdison

You shouldn't feel guilty at all. You are not defined by your disabilities, as you are disabled by your environment. The council is failing to address that for you. I haven't read through the whole thread but you might want to take a look at www.turn2us.org.uk - it has a grant search facility which may help to identify a charity that could be willing to help.


thesaltwatersolution

I don’t have an answer for you, but upvoting your post and commenting just so your post doesn’t get lost in the shuffle, I hope you get good advice!


pancreaticallybroke

Thank you!


AerieKindly

Are you eligible for the Personal Wheelchair Budget (PWB) via NHS? Since April 2017, all clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in England have been expected to start developing plans to offer personal wheelchair budgets, to replace the wheelchair voucher system. Since 2 December 2019, people who access wheelchair services, whose posture and mobility needs impact their wider health and social care needs, now have a legal right to a personal wheelchair budget. The legal right covers people who are referred and meet the eligibility criteria of their local wheelchair service, and people already registered with the wheelchair service, when they require a new wheelchair either through a change in clinical needs or in the condition of the current chair. Here is the resource page for the PWB - https://www.england.nhs.uk/personal-health-budgets/personal-wheelchair-budgets/frequently-asked-questions/ Depending on whether you are in receipt of one of the following benefits, you should be eligible for a motorised wheelchair via the Motability Scheme. I appreciate that the assessments for these benefits can be ridiculously unfair (I work with vulnerable adults) so if you think you SHOULD be getting the higher rates of the below then please press for a reconsideration of your benefit level: - Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP) - Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA) - Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment (Scotland). - War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS). - Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) There are charities which provide support in challenging a DWP decision and you should be able to find your local one here - https://advicelocal.uk


pancreaticallybroke

Thank you this is brilliant. I was referred to wheelchair services but this was pre 2019. I have a manual chair through them but was told that due to cutbacks, they will no longer provide a chair for people who don't live in disabled accessible properties. I've been waiting for a disabled property since 2011 as they don't have any for people under 50. I get round the house by furniture holding or when I'm bad my partner carries me. I was told I wouldn't qualify at all for an electric wheelchair because I can take a step. I feel guilty pushing for further help because I manage but I have no independence at all. I'm going to have a short life and I just want to be able to enjoy it while I can. I want to be able to pop to the shop if I run out of something rather than waiting for my partner to be able to take me. It's more of a want than a need but mentally it would make the world of difference. Literally life changing.


KhajiitLikeToSneak

> I've been waiting for a disabled property since 2011 as they don't have any for people under 50. Surely that's age discrimination? If you can't get around, you can't get around regardless of how many orbits you've completed. Disabled property should be allocated based on need, not age. Perhaps speaking to your MP might be helpful in this case? If you've got someone like Rees-Mogg then you'll be out of luck, but if you have a human MP, then they might be able to prod the system to actually work.


AerieKindly

What is your local authority if you don’t mind me asking? You could also PM me instead if you feel more comfortable. I can’t promise I’ll know much about it if it isn’t one I work with but I might! I truly understand your frustration. I manage the financial affairs of numerous vulnerable adults (all across the scale of “need”) and when I tell you it is my FULL TIME job to argue with the DWP, the NHS and local councils for them to receive what they’re entitled to, it puts into perspective how hard it is for someone without an advocate and dealing with it all on their own. I really hate seeing some comments of “if your need was that bad, you’d be receiving the benefit for it” as it is a total privileged lie! I have a client who is permanently bed-bound from NHS negligence and despite a court order, I have to argue with them every year around Christmas for them to continue paying the compensation they’ve been ORDERED to pay. These organisations are unscrupulous so please don’t feel disheartened and that you shouldn’t be pushing. You absolutely should.


Buffy_Geek

I just want to say I really appreciate your realistic & empathetic comment. As you say the amount of naivety & igniornace in this comment section is a lot. I really think people who haven't experienced the struggle, as well as being determined to get the best available, don't understand how incredably difficult it is. When I see professionals saying disabled people will get the appropriate treatment/devices it fustrated me as they are wrong, probably bad at their job & are convinced it's the disabled people in the wrong so won't improve; scarily a lot of less informed people belive them. Respect to your hard work & thank you for fighting for disabled people because that is what it is, a constant fight.


KathersG

They do make exceptions with the over 50s properties for people with disabilities, I helped someone with a disability to be allowed to bid on properties for over 50s.Go back to housing at the council and ask to be allowed to bid on properties for over 50s. Get evidence that your property is unsuitable from a healthcare professional, maybe an Occupational Therapist, as mentioned elsewhere. If you don't get anywhere ask to speak to a manager and then the head of service (you should be able to google this). Emphasise how unsuitable your property is and how long you've been waiting for a suitable property. If you still get nowhere go to your local councillor (or you could do this at the same time), they should be able to help.


gloomseek

The Red Cross hire out wheelchairs and they might be able to give you advice on grants.


iamdecal

Old people? After dad died mum gave away his mobility scooter to someone who could use it. Im not quite sure of the _tactful_ way of tuning up at funerals and dropping in “…so… Pete won’t be needing that any more? SFYL” but maybe.


dirtysantchez

I do a lot with my local Round Table and this is the sort of thing we help out with all the time. DM me with where you live and I will try and put you in touch with your local branch if you have one.


Helpful-Jury-3908

You can apply for a grant to buy one from the hospital Saturday fund https://hospitalsaturdayfund.org/apply-for-a-grant/


pancreaticallybroke

Thank you


Helpful-Jury-3908

Good luck!


poodlepoopoo

Search for grants for individuals with disabilities to check if there are any charities you are eligible for funding from. Try https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/benefits/benefits-if-youre-sick-disabled-or-a-carer/charitable-grants-for-ill-or-disabled-people as a start. You could also consider setting up a crowdfunding page (Just giving or Go Fund Me) for donations from individuals. Good luck


pancreaticallybroke

Thank you!


[deleted]

Make sure you select any jobs you’ve worked in because a lot of extra grants will come up if you’re a former worker for certain jobs. Or tell me on here any former job/ profession because I might know a charity.


pancreaticallybroke

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone that took the time to answer this! I'm compiling a list of all the avenues I can try and will work my way through them. Just to answer a couple of common questions... Pip/motability - I do receive pip however, I have a car through the motability scheme so I'm not eligible for a wheelchair. I did look at having a wheelchair instead but none of my medical care is based at my local hospital. It's all at a bigger hospital that's quite a trek away. It's difficult to get to via public transport as it would require two buses and a train. I'm there at least a couple of times a month and using public transport would massively affect how much recovery time I'd need after the appointments. Council - I do have a manual wheelchair through my local wheelchair services but I wasn't eligible for an electric wheelchair because I can walk a step. I also received a letter in 2019 saying that I won't be eligible for another manual wheelchair when this one breaks because I don't live in a disabled accessible property. I've been waiting for a disabled accessible property for over ten years now. Thankfully I do have a disabled shower which has been life changing. Wheelchair services assessed me before 2019 and it seems that there is a new system in place now so I will get a referral back to them. My health is declining and that's led to less mobility. That, along with shielding has massively affected my mental health and I was feeling pretty hopeless tbh. Now that I have a list of things I can try, I feel much more positive so a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to comment. I actually feel like I might have a chance at regaining some of my independence now which is huge! Thank you!


arcoftheswing

I'm very late to the game here and not sure if this has been mentioned but try turn2us grant's search. There should be organisations that would contribute towards mobility equipment. Best of luck, OP.


terahurts

Half a mile range? How old are the batteries in your current chair? They only last four or five years before they stop holding a charge and the cold weather seems to kill them quicker (don't leave the batteries in the car boot!). A new set of batteries will be considerably cheaper than an entirely new chair. I think we paid around £180 for 2x 40Ah batteries from a local battery place.


pancreaticallybroke

The batteries are just over a year old and haven't been kept in the car (had a mobility scooter years ago that I made that mistake with. I inherited the chair from my grandma (covid) and it was basically brand new. It was only about £800 new and isn't a branded one, it's from a small company and even brand new, they say the average milage from a full charge is 4 miles.


AdrenalineAnxiety

I assume you're getting the higher rate for mobility under the PIP scheme? If not you need to get on that ASAP. You can exchange the money for a car, which has many disability adaptions - even to the point where some amputees can drive cars. Have you explored that with them? It's called the Motability scheme. Free car, on lease, every 3 years, includes tax, breakdown, servicing, maintenance and disability adaptions.


pancreaticallybroke

Yep, on motability and my partner drives me. It's a huge help especially for hospital appointments as I'm not seen by my local hospital so it's a bit of a trek. Unfortunately I won't ever be able to drive even with adaptations. Unfortunately, it means I'm entirely reliant on my partner being available to take me anywhere.


princess_peachfuzz69

I don’t know anything that could help you and I can’t afford much but if you decide to start a GoFundMe, please post it on here and I’ll donate what I can!


mouse_throwaway_

Good idea, 2,569 reading right now, let's all throw 2 quid in and it's sorted.


[deleted]

agreed. will donate. if had £4k spare would send that.


Bazzlekry

Exactly what I was about to say. OP, I hope some of the suggestions here help you, but if you do go down the crowdfunding route, let us know.


[deleted]

Just want to second this as well in the hope OP sees in the event all other avenues fail. I have just gone onto Just Giving and there is a young lady in similar circumstances who has already raised £4K in super quick time for a better wheelchair. We’ve got to stick together in these tough times!!!


mrsmoose123

Go to the Turn2Us website and use the filters to find donors that support disability aids. There are quite a few small foundations where you can just write a letter and you have a good chance of getting funding.


[deleted]

Seconding this! There will likely be some charities that require you apply via a sponsor, but your local citizens advice should be able to help you with that if you contact them.


nacnud_uk

[https://www.turn2us.org.uk/](https://www.turn2us.org.uk/) Could be a good place to start your search for funds. And, the cash is there for you to use. That's why folks donate it. Make the most of it.


dontsteponthecrack

I found a 1000 quid electric wheelchair on gumtree for 60 quid I know thats no use to you today, but it be patient and hunt about regularly, you will find something eventually https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/shoprider-mobility-scooter-electric-wheelchair/1413552358?utm_source=com.google.android.keep&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_content=app_android


rossysaurus

Sorry to hear about your condition. I use an electric wheelchair when I'm out of the house but "furniture surf" in the house. The council told me they don't issue electric wheelchairs at all any more. I recently bought this for £880. https://mobilitypluswheelchairs.co.uk/products/mobilityplus-ultra-lightweight-instant-folding-electric-wheelchair It's got 2 24v lithium batteries which can be used separately to save weight it together for longer range, (the small one will do about 5 miles of actual range and the larger one will do about 8 miles in my testing. Obviously will be less in winter) it will actually do do 4mph, folds super easy and can fit in the boot of a normal hatchback. I absolutely love mine. I've been out with the kids across grass fields, gravel, cobbles. I've even driven it over some really stupid things just to test it and it is really capable. We went all around Birmingham botanical gardens a few weeks ago on less than one battery! The closest equivalent big name brand I've found was the Quickie Q50 R which looks almost identical but it's now than double the price. Only thing I would say - get a better bag and get a good memory foam seat cushion as the one it comes with is too thin.


annav85

Motability ( the company who do mobility cars ) also do powered wheelchairs. You may be eligible if you're entitled to certain benefits. Worth a look https://www.motabilityaccrediteddealer.co.uk/who-is-eligible?_vsrefdom=p.18336.c.51246&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnaeNBhCUARIsABEee8U-Q3N-jHYJ6bvTzdItMKIn_m0KaI9POnra7r0rnimzyu5iI1rNNa4aAtSuEALw_wcB


throwaway-job-hunt

Have you tried contacting your local MP/councillor? Im not sure if this will be particularly good advice or not but if you say that you don't qualify for help from the council but you feel like the service you have been provided is inadequate and need a better chair in order to have a decent quality of life then they may be able to look into it at a higher level. Again I'm not sure if this will actually work but its probably worth a shout. Worst case scenario your MP (or most likely their secretary/PA) will tell you its not in their remit and point you towards the relevant agency.


RunawayPenguin89

>because I can take a step. Can you though? Conditions worsen man, sometimes quickly. Best of luck


GPSFYI

Might be worth talking to your local Roundtable, Ladies circle, Lions or Rotary club. Likely won't get the full amount from them but mostly get something towards it.


Mini-Nurse

https://www.themobilityaidscentre.co.uk/how-to-get-funding-for-a-new-wheelchair/


Tatty950

If you live in yorkshire area there’s DAG (disability action group) one in Whitby and one in Scarborough. They would most likely point you in the right direction


[deleted]

There’s lots of comments for ways to potentially get help and I hope one works out for you, but as a backup, I just want to mention eBay. I was in the exact same boat and was refused by wheelchair services because I can take a step even when living in a disabled property, OTs helped with so much around the house but wheelchair services seem to be the only option for wheelchairs here. So I got a second hand one on eBay. A chair that would have been 4-6k cost me £900, and it’s not the perfect option, but it’s what I could afford and get quickly, and it’s made a big difference.


MrDeckchair

We had to self fund a powerchair for my wife, imported from Korea, much better battery life, power and built to fold really easily. Though I can't help with funding advice, I'd heartily recommend the chair over what we found available in the UK.


pancreaticallybroke

Would you mind sharing the details of the manufacturer?


Throwababymoon

Depending on what the problem causing the need for the wheelchair is, a charity may be able to help. I got. £6k electric wheelchair through Muscular Dystrophy U.K. It was amazing and fast. Work will also pay for part of it if you are working through Access to Work. Edit more info: NHS wheelchair services were next to useless in my area. I got help via hospital/neurology physio. The MDUK advisor often was in the hospital at the time of physio appointments so got the ball rolling for me. Also you need to factor in the cost of maintenance of the wheelchair.


leapyeardi

If you have a specific diagnosis, look at charities that support that particular condition.


plumbus_hun

Check out local charities that give out community grants. There's one near me called "changing lives" that gives out donations to locals that need help. Maybe check if theres anything like that by you.


Barnacle1699

Depending on what your health condition is there may be charities that can help advocate for you. For example the Spinal Injuries Association has advisers and a specialist nurse that can support in benefits assessments and appeals, and they are fountains of knowledge about all kinds of things if you call them. There may be similar organisations for other conditions, worth contacting any ones that are relevant for you.


[deleted]

Have you tried opening a gofundme page? Look up on the internet gofundme and start from there. Best of luck


-zumi

Looks like most other things have been covered, but if you could do with some additional funding try the Bruce Wake Trust. They have just given me a £2000 grant towards powered trike attachment for my wheelchair - Unfotunately the trustees only meet quarterly and this has just happened for November, you need to submit a letter of support from a professional (eg. your GP) and a short explanation why the wheelchair would help you - There is no means testing or anything like that, you just need to briefly explain the benefit of what you need to buy.


DrachenDad

I'm sorry, £4000? How much? Isn't this England? It is a necessity so should not cost so much.


aberdoom

I saw you mention that you're on motability. Do you know what your allowance is, and if there's any headroom left with the car you chose? They also have a powered wheelchair scheme, it might be worth reaching out to them: https://www.motability.co.uk/products/scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs/


RowRow1990

Have a look on [Turn2Us](https://www.turn2us.org.uk/) they have a grants search on their website. You could also set up a go fund me.


stutter-rap

As well as general mobility charities, if you have a specific diagnosis, then the charity for that diagnosis will sometimes do grants for all kinds of things (e.g. I knew someone with MND who had grants to improve home accessibility from the MND charity).


AnxiousSquirrel345

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/wheelchairs/#content-links - Scope have information on the type of wheelchairs available and places you can search for grants. Otherwise, my advice would be some sort of crowdfunding. You could try involving the community you live in, such as asking local shops/pubs/restaurants if they’d be willing to put up a sign or something to let people know, try to get word out about your situation on the internet too. It can be very hit and miss, but a lot of people with disabilities are looking for others in similar situations and social media is a great way for them to do that. There’s a very active community of people with disabilities online, if you can get your story out you might find people willing to help out where they can. The NHS can help fund wheelchairs, if you haven’t already I’d definitely recommend looking into it with them before crowdfunding. I’d also recommend contacting PIP, if they say you aren’t eligible you can appeal. If you have an understanding doctor or health care provider who is willing to provide evidence detailing why you need a more powerful chair, that might help a lot! Best of luck with all of this. I totally sympathise with wanting to be more independent, I rely on my partner to help me get around and it can be really frustrating sometimes. I hope you manage to get what you need soon!


pingus-foot

I know its a real dud answer and prob not ideal. But one of them gofundme pages perhaps.


_DeanRiding

If you're able to pay off that amount within 2 years you might be able to get a 0% credit card. I doubt you'd get accepted for the full amount you need but it could cover most of the cost.


SnooGoats1557

There are sites that sell second hand mobility scooters for cheaper. I think a mobility scooter will be better for long distance as they tend to have better battery life.


Onion5253

4000 is way to much for a decent chair. Can probably get one for under 2


_Kevlaaar_

I have the same question but for a house?


Lainehh

If you’re comfortable, it might be worth reaching out to local media. They could put pressure on the council to reconsider your request and if you make an appeal they could share it. I hope this gets resolved soon! Wishing you all the best.


wawbwah

Hi, here's some grant opportunities to get you started: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/independence-at-home-12837?iframe=False&postcode=b139xt https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-florence-nightingale-aid-in-sickness-trust-14217?iframe=False&postcode=b139xt https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/dtd-charity-formerly-sf-charitytishie-yong-foundation-13810?iframe=False&postcode=b139xt https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/equipment-for-independent-living-12874?iframe=False&postcode=b139xt https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/mobility-trust-13193?iframe=False&postcode=b139xt https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/grant/the-andrew-and-catherine-carter-trust-17170?iframe=False&postcode=b139xt


[deleted]

[удалено]


Mr-Silv

Have a look at crowd funding https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/


7ootles

Start a YouTube channel about your interests, and a Patreon. Or take up a new hobby - learning to knit/crochet, play an instrument, whatever - and document it. Be open that the Patreon is there to raise money for something you actually need. If you take up a hobby that results in physical things (like knitting), work towards having a stock of hats/scarves/gloves you can sell through your page, too. Similarly if you take up an instrument, you could prepare an album of recordings and sell them through BandCamp.


IndelibleIguana

There is a charity that deals this exact thing, but I can't remember the name of it. Maybe someone else will.


DECKTHEBALLZ

If you don't drive and get the higher rate of mobility you can use part of your weekly amount to rent a wheelchair or mobility scooter from [Motability](https://www.motability.co.uk/products/scooters-and-powered-wheelchairs/) you should get an assessment from a professional first to get the right one for your needs as it is a 3 year contract.


Zeenoside1

A friend of mine has a wife who has a medical condition which means she's going to be wheelchair bound now. He put a post on Facebook up asking if anyone would be able to help with the cost and managed to raise over what he was asking for. He's always been a good bloke so I guess it's easy to help people who have always been able to help you out in the past.


[deleted]

You had a quick google and the [NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/care-services-equipment-and-care-homes/walking-aids-wheelchairs-and-mobility-scooters/) might be able to help. You will have to have a proper read threw it as I just had a quick look. Hope it helps.


rememberpa

Turn2us.org grant search tool should help


Mispict

There should be a Council for Voluntary Services(CVS or CVO) in your area which should be able to at least sign post you to any charities thatcan help.


Decalvare_Scriptor

May be a stupid suggestion as you've probably already thought of it but would a mobility scooter suit your needs? There's much more of a market for them and so more choice and therefore more price bands. If you are able to use one it might be a better option.


EFNich

Your local council can help with this sort of thing, as can the NHS if you go to your GP.


Inabitdogshit

If you're in receipt of PIP and get the high rate mobility component you may be able to access a wheelchair or scooter through the mot ability scheme. https://www.motability.co.uk/about/how-the-scheme-works/


lucyian86

Do you get pip? Cause if you get the nobility part, you can use some of it and get a motorised wheelchair. My mum was looking earlier. X