The Power of Wheels
The National Health Wheelchair Service for the UK refused to give me the freedom of going in a wheelchair so I could get outside my room. I was apparently too unwell and they didn't see it as a good investment in their funds. Surprisingly, this was when the service was actually working reasonably well.
My first wheelchair was fundraised by my friends and the incredible Adam York, who transformed my life. It meant that I was able to get out of my world of one room. The amount was raised in just over 12 hours! At the time I wasn't well enough to look into anything but a manual wheelchair. I had no strength in my arms to even push a button let alone control a chair. I can never thank all my friends enough, especially Adam for arranging it.
Once the money had been raised, a very shocked me had to choose a wheelchair. I knew nothing about wheelchairs so had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was it needed to tilt and recline. Thankfully, a lady called Pat who I've known all my life came to my rescue and introduced me to an incredible company called Cinque Ports Mobility Ltd in Folkestone, Kent.
They are not salesmen. They care about making sure you have the right wheelchair that suits your needs. Chris brought around an electric wheelchair to just show me what he had but immediately decided that it was not right at the moment. We went for a tilt space chair that was manual. The joy was seeing my garden for the first time since 2006. Incredible. That wheelchair (named Black Beauty) will always be the one that ticked off my 'firsts'. The first time I reached Bluebell Hill, the first time I saw the road that I lived on and the first time I could go on a ride in an adapted car. There were just so many.
Fast forward three years, and we reach now, back on the waiting list for an electric wheelchair. I could now do so much more and the doctors believed that it would help me gain independence. However by this time, the NHS wheelchair service had been sold to a private company. People wait forever just to be assessed, let alone to get any form of wheelchair. Often the wheelchairs people are given are totally unsuitable or not what they asked for. I had been on the list for six months and hadn't heard anything. I kept ringing and wasn't given an inkling as to when this assessment would be. The normal waiting time was a year. Could I wait that long?
My husband suggested that I rang my good old friends from Cinque Ports Mobility Ltd and just see what they had. The other option was to start another crowdfunding campaign. Even though Samuel did setup a page, I felt too guilty for asking for more money from people so i shut it down. To be honest, part of me had given up on the idea of having the chance to get an electric chair…until a week ago…
Finally, with a lot of encouragement from my husband, I rang Chris. Our only expectation was to maybe borrow an electric wheelchair for a film premiere of Unrest, that I am going to later in the year. Having asked, I got a phone call the next day saying they had just the chair. It was secondhand but the lady selling it through their company only wanted a fraction of the price and it was hardly used! To say I was shocked is an understatement.
Chris came back out and fitted this electric wheelchair so it suited me. There were no obligations to keep it and I could have it for a few weeks to test it out but I knew straight away. The first ride felt like a new kind of freedom. I could turn when I wanted to to turn. I could walk holding hands with my husband.
However, I could only afford this because I had done a magazine story that had raised most of the money. It made me think about the situation other people must find themselves in due to the excessive cuts the NHS have been forced into. Does the government not realise how necessary it is for people who are disabled to get independence? The sheer power of wheels?
So Samuel and I welcome 'Indie' (short for independence) the wheelchair into our lives…. just look at the smile she brings already!
Hello Jessica and Samuel. I am new to the world of social media, I don’t have Facebook or anything like that as I’m a stickler for privacy and it’s just not for me. This is a first for me contacting someone in this way, so please bear with. I first got ill beginning of last year and was diagnosed in May this year. I am housebound and finding life a wee bit tough at the moment but I’ve got a fantastic family I’m so blessed to have. I went to the premiere of Unrest in Sheffield and your lovely husband was there and holding an device and you were there. Today I have googled you and have read about your book and found this site. I just feel compelled to say, what a truly wonderful, inspirational woman you are and how wonderful your husband family and friends are. Thank you for ‘putting yourself out there’ so we can see how you are and continue to be inspired by your courage and quite simply put ‘ getting on with it’ as my Nan would say.
Thank you so very much. Your words mean a lot ❤️?❤️
So happy to hear the good news Jessica! Having such a magnificent wheelchair does make a huge difference in gaining independence. So happy for you!
Such a wonderful sight to see Jessica. I’m happy to see you so happy after everything you’ve/Are still going through. The problem with wheelchairs is horrendous, I’ve been waiting for a long time now and all wheelchair services say is there’s a long list. I want to be able to get out and enjoy the time with my kid’s and husband but instead I’m stuck in my bedroom with the curtains shut. May you enjoy every second of the outside world and enjoy walking hand in hand with Samuel. Much love xxx
Hi. I’ve succumbed to using a mobility scooter due to over 11 years with ME, and the freedom it gives in getting some life back is brilliant. Not where we want to be, but I totally understand your happiness in getting a wheelchair. I hope you don’t mind me linking to your story from my site at http://www.York-ME-Community.org as it may persuade others to make enquiries that will give them some of their old life back. Take care.
Thank you ? I don’t mind at all
This is such a great blog post Jessica and I’m so thrilled for you. I saw your video of you in you new wheelchair and I immediately had wheelie envy! May I ask the brand and model name? I’m not severely affected now though I used to be and I still have core muscle weakness meaning I often need to recline and have head supported. Most wheelchairs offering head support look really bulky but yours looks nifty! Thanks and happy independence!
http://www.sunrisemedical.co.uk/powered-wheelchairs/quickie/power-wheelchairs/salsa-m
Hi Jessica and Samuel, I had no idea you needed a different wheel chair, what a incredible story, Thank you Lord there are still people who go the extra mile. Chris’s Mum and Dad will be thrilled to hear your story, I am seeing them tomorrow so will hopefully be able to show them your page. I do hope sweetheart you are feeling better and enjoy your days out, just to hold Samuel s hand when you are out must be a incredible feeling and one we all take for granted. Love and Blessings to you all. Pat.xx
Thank you Pat for all you’ve done to help me – incredible!
What a wonderful and inspiring story! So sad about yet another of our precious NHS services being sold to the private sector! Please may I quote that paragraph? I live in Jeremy Hunt’s consiteuency, and it makes me so sad and angry to see what he is doing to the NHS!
Of course you may! It’s so sad what is happening and I just hope that we can pull through it!
thanks! I tweet as @bodyharmonies and do the occasional blog here too!