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Beyond transporting wheelchair users from A to B, a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) can transform your life by allowing you to easily access adventure, community connection and pursue the things that mean the most to you.
Nestled amongst the trees, overlooking the breathtaking views of the Firth of Forth in the Scottish town of Ludin Links, retired PE teacher, Kitty Walker, beams as she shows Allied Mobility around two of her favourite places that her WAV makes access to possible – Homelands Trust-Fife and its community hub and cafe, the Paxton Centre.
Accessible Luxury Accommodation
Homelands host nine purpose-built accessible luxury lodges designed to allow disabled people and their carers to have a short break. Each lodge boasts a spacious wet room, Guldmann H-frame ceiling tracking hoists, electric profiling beds, airflow mattresses and a range of support equipment from shower trolleys to infrared TV listening systems, so that guests don’t have to bring their own aids.
“I have stayed in the lodges over 25 times. I think I’m one of their best customers!”, Kitty laughs.
Having been diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) almost 40 years ago, Kitty’s mobility began to significantly reduce as she got older and so she moved in with her best friend and carer, Jan. Together they have gone on adventures up and down the country, but as Kitty’s access needs grew and she began using a powerchair to get about, she found herself holidaying and socialising closer to home.
“We live fairly near Homelands, but it suits me because I don’t travel well. My favourite lodge is Drummochy, which sleeps 8 people so I can have family and friends stay. It’s become a home from home for me.”, Kitty explains.
More Than a Café
When Kitty isn’t holidaying at Homelands, she can still be found on the grounds at the Trust’s community hub and café, the Paxton Centre.
“I go to the Centre 3 or 4 times a week”, she smiles.
Offering a range of arts and crafts, wellness classes and a cafe on a Monday and Tuesday, for a sociable person like Kitty, the Paxton Centre is an accessible place for her to connect with others, try new things and enjoy a good blether:
“The variety of activities on offer is great. There’s always something new to try, but most of all, I go for the company. I just love it!”
Life Before Vista™
Prior to her wheelchair access car, Kitty would wheel down to the Centre in her wheelchair, but as her mobility reduced, getting to the Centre proved a challenge and travelling by car wasn’t much easier, which made Kitty feel a bit stuck.
“I began to find it difficult to stand up and self-transfer into the car, I then tried a hoist to get me in and make me comfortable, but Jan struggled to help me and she wasn’t getting any younger. So, my world was beginning to shrink because going out was a lot of work for us both,” Kitty recalls.
Opening the World Up
Since taking delivery of her Allied Mobility WAV, Volkswagen Vista™, Kitty’s world has opened back up, allowing her to easily travel to Homelands and the Paxton Centre which has hugely benefited her independence and social life:
“I love my WAV! It’s a game changer, especially as you and your carer get older. It means you can go out more and enjoy outings knowing that it’s not such hard work, the ramp just comes down and I can wheel right in and away we go – it is so simple!”
Reflecting on her experience of getting a mobility car from Allied Mobility, Kitty tells us, “Staff are very friendly and extremely helpful. The follow-up service is excellent; I’ll be sticking with Allied for my next WAV.”
Supporting the Disabled Community
Kitty’s WAV is made for more than transporting her to her favourite places; it has allowed her to maintain her social life and sense of self. As she showed us around the place that her adapted vehicle has made accessible, she expressed just how much she loves the Homelands Trust-Fife and the Paxton Centre. As such, Allied Mobility are delighted to have made a donation to the Trust to support the amazing services they deliver to disabled people like Kitty.
Find the WAV that's Made for You Speak to a mobility advisorWhat is Your WAV Made For?
To be in with a chance of winning £500 for your chosen charity, club or hobby, let us know what your WAV enables you to do by emailing marketing@alliedvehicles.co.uk.
