My mother's physical mobility can deteriorated rapidly in the last few months, and it seems that the possibility of my father taking my Forester back to make life easier for my mother is unlikely to happen.
The step is likely to be my mother in a wheelchair for all outside journey's - even ones around the corner - and to see her attempt to get into a Suzuki Wagon R+ last night (which is extremely easy to access) was pitiful. So, if she gets a wheelchair, we need a car that my father can drive, and get her into the car easily, without removing her from the chair.
I have seen the adverts for Brotherwood conversions of vans. Are they any good? Are there alternatives, both in terms of other conversion companies, or different types of vehicle, as my father has always enjoyed driving interesting cars, and I can see him taking to a van easily. Also, he would want an automatic gearbox. Is if only Renault that do an automatic van (Kangoo)?
Alternatively, are there any 'gadgets' that enable a person to sit down facing outwards and then swing around into the car?
Thanks
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Sorry to hear that Espada. Re your last question, I have definitely seen chairs like these being advertised so they are out there somewehere. I will try and find some links.
At the end of the day , Renault etc have been doing seats in their Espaces which can rotate 180 degrees for a while so imagine it would be relatively easy to do.
I think what you need to decide though is whether your father is fit enough to do the lifting etc. You place the wheelchair close to the car , but its the lifting of your mother from there to the seat which can be the problem. In this respect it is sometimes easier to have a lower down car rather than "people carrier type".
Without doubt, the easiest would be the Brotherwood-type conversions where you just drop a couple of ramps and wheel her straight in and secure the chair. This would also be less stressful for your mother. Maybe these would be available in specialist auctions or suppliers?
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Brotherwood site has lots of used examples but very pricey! However, they also do "Adapted Front Seat" which looks to be a swivel idea. Criteria are:
Adapted front passenger seat
Usually requires standing transfer.
Carer/partner needs to be free from back, shoulder or heart problems.
Wheelchair has to be dismantled and loaded into the boot (average transfer time 8 to 12 minutes).
Check: Is the seat in the car original and comfortable?
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If there was an adapted front seat that would be great. My mother can stand at the moment and my father is to an extent capable of assisting transfer. Fortunately, we have enouhg money to buy a 'top of the range' lightweight wheelchair.
Check: Is the seat in the car original and comfortable? - Oh Yes - very! Thats why my father would love to get his hands on my Forester!
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Sorry but when browsing ebay saw number 120037530200. Not recommending it for a minute, just look at that side on view!
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Before she died my sister did a lot of research and decided that a Renault Kangoo was the car for her. I'm sorry I can't remember the details or why she came to that conclusion. Just that it had to be a Kangoo. She was very, very heavy, moving her from the chair to the car was quite a task. There is a swivel thing for seats, I may have seen it in a Sunday magazine or something similar.
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Alternatively, are there any 'gadgets' that enable a person to sit down facing outwards and then swing around into the car?
Not sure it would be robust enough in these unfortunate circumstances but I am pretty sure I saw what was effectively a turntable advertised in a Saga magazine. Idea is that it is placed on the existing vehicle seat and facilitates swivelling through 90 degrees for accesss.
Probably worth investigating the specialistconverters - only one I am familiar with is Gowrings Mobility in Newbure Berkshire but I am sure they have a website.
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www.gowringsmobility.co.uk/home.html and follow links for swivel seats.
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Hi Espada, sorry to hear about your situation. Have you contacted Motability as your father may be eligible for a car through them, although could affect any benefits your parents may receive.
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Thank you - you have all saved me much time - as ever. I think the swivel seat from Gowrings looks just the ticket and my father can get his Forester turbo back as well!
Any other ideas greatfully received.
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I have a elderly friend who uses a wheelchair a powered scooter; he and his wife had a a van with a lift-up rear door specially converted to allow him and his wheelchair or scooter to be pushed/driven via ramps into the vehicle.
Once inside, he and the wheelchair or scooter are fully restrained with special seat belts and fastenings.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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sorry to hear about your predicament , whilst there are disability roadshows around the country they tend to be on during july/aug, there used to be one at the NEC.
try www.disabled-motorist.co.uk.
Motorbility will unlike be able to help as there is an age cut off check out with any local garage, most deal with it.
Finally the best source will be any car park with disability parking spaces, look at the vehicles used and leave a polite notice on the windscreen asking for them to ring you, with their good and bad points.
There is an Israeli product that allows the wheelchair to be stored on the roof, but like most products in the disability market they don't come cheap.
good luck
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Well as I am off to Israel for two weeks from this afternoon I will look out for it.
Thanks
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One of my friends who did not want a typical "disabled" pope mobile type car choose a renault laguna estate and a 2001 Nissan Micra which he seems to manage very well in
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Sorry to hear of your situation Espada, my mother in law has a brotherwood converted berlingo which we got from a company called GF Clake in Kent their website is www.gfclarke.com/
When we got it they ad a range of second hand conversions on various vehicles and a variety of conversions. Even if you are not in the area they will bring a car for you to look at.
It has changed MiL's world as she is confined to the wheelchair would thoroughly recommend it.
Good luck
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It's not often you can say "these people know it all" but The Disabled Living Foundation really do. It's a charity with a huge demonstration unit on the Harrow Rd. north London.
www.dlf.org.uk/
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