The Variety Club Children's Charity supports Derry child on road to independence
10th June 2008
Nineteen year old Rachel Scarlett from Shantallow, Derry, Northern Ireland, is the proud owner of a new wheelchair from the Variety Club Children's Charity.
Rachel, who has Larsens Syndrome, has a new Hippo Wheelchair provided courtesy of the Variety Club.
Rachel said,
I will be forever grateful to the Variety Club for all their hard work and support. I love my new wheelchair, it enables me to do simple tasks by myself which makes all the difference to me and my family. My wheelchair has given me independence and confidence to get out more with family and friends. I am now able to drive myself to my Grandparents and my aunts and uncles homes who all live close-by.
An assesment was carried out by the supplier who understood my condition and he recommended the Hippo wheelchair. It has a rise and fall facility that enables me to reach everyday items like kitchen worktops that I was unable to access myself before, due to my short stature. It also has an automatic tilt facility to take the pressure off the double curvature of my spine. This allows me to remain seated longer in my chair without having to lay down. My Hippo wheelchair is legal on the road, and it has come equipped with headlights, indicators and reverse lights. This makes me feel safer because I am now visible to other vechicles.
I would advise to those with restricted access to seek help from the Variety Club for help with funding towards an electric wheelchair to gain your independence which is rightfully yours. Rachel, x.
Rachel's mum, Jennifer said;
My daughter has now gained the freedom of her own home and community thanks to the generous donation of the new on the road wheelchair with features that best suit her. She has now got an independence with security features that she never had with her previous wheelchair. Rachel has become more care-free and high spirited since the delivery of her chair. She feels more confident meeting people as the chair raises to their eye level so she can hold a conversation without being looked down on. The chair attracts attention from people of all ages, wherever she goes due to it's high-tech design and features which in itself starts conversations and interaction with other people. Rachel's previous chair had a slight rise and fall facility but this new one now has three times the height enabling her to reach and see things that were off limits to her before. She is becoming more aware of her enviroment around her that she now tells me when it's time to dust, much to my annoyance. Without the help of the Variety Club providing the specially fitted and equipped wheelchair for Rachel's needs and everyday independence and living, I as her mother and family would never have been able to provide such a vital life-line to Rachel as in her electric wheelchair. The NHS were very limited in what they could provide for Rachel and all was not suitable as all disabilities are unique in their requirements and to require a one off piece depending on the severity of the disability was just not feasible. Thankfully the Variety Club realises the importance of suitable equipment to allow people to live independently and comfortably in and around their own home and environment.