Assessment for a major buggy

[fio2]

I dont know whether I have mentioned before but we have applied for a major buggy. DD has her assessment next week to see if she needs one. They will prioritise and then if they think she is bad enough they will put her on the list. I dont know whether it will be sorted before we move. We applied ages ago and they just dont seem very motivated.

Anyway going off track now. Just wondered what the assessment actually is. I have got to travel 15 miles with her on the bus to another hospital and may have to take ds with me aswell (most likely) How long does it take? and what do they do? Thanks

[Lou33]

Fio, when they did ds2, they just took measurements, looked at how he sat, that sort of thing. It didn't take very long at all where we live to get the major. Probably about 3 weeks from being referred to it arriving, including the assessment. Good luck with it.

[fio2]

thanks lou I was just wondering. It did say to make sure she had the thickest clothes and coat on that she has. It also said she had wear her spectacles!!! - dont know why that is of importance!

I will let you know if we can have one or not. I would hope so because she is getting far too big for a normal pushchair and she has the longest legs you have ever seen

[Lou33]

Don't forget to update me .

[viva]

hi im 16 an i still go in a major buggy as i have bad joints and my legs are quite week and being quite small for my age mum still says its easy for her than lifting a wheelchair. still i get the comments o look at that spastic pram which is very hurtfull but mum prefers it to a wheelchair for me. these buggies are suppose to be for adults as well is this true as i think being in a wheelchair people dont look twice but i think some people do stare because they are just a bigger version of a normal pushchair does any one else agree also does any 1 know any chat sites for disabled children thanks

[viva]

does any one else at my age still use these buggies are they for older children does any 1 no. i weigh nearly 8 stone and quite small just starting to feel concious that i still go in 1 at my age just mum says its easy to push than a whelchair can any 1 help
thanks

[aloha]

Lou...do you know if MABS got my email??

[Lou33]

Viva, I really don't know, but I would think calling your wheelchair service office would be able to elicit help. Or you could google search for info. Good luck. Aloha, I haven't heard Mabs say anything on here, sorry, not much help to anyone today, lol. Am off to London now for an appointment with ds2's neurologist.

[viva]

ok thanks any way for info wat sites could help me on this thanks-

[Lou33]

This gives weight guidance, size of pushchair etc, don't know if that is any good?

Also, here is a forum that has some phone numbers which may help.

[viva]

o thanks for that lou33 helping me.50 kg is about 8 stones which im nearly 8 its ok with me in it well mum thinks it is but it dont say how old a child or person it can carry 16 and in a pushchair still but then should i think like that then some people have said not much tho nasty things like thats a spastic pram but i ignore it any way thanks for that o thats a newer and smarter buggy than mine .
mines about 10 years old looks more comfortable than mine
thank you lou33

[fio2]

viva so sorry you have such nasty and ignorant comments off people. My sister used to use a normal wheelchair when she was about age 15 onwards, she was only tiny too. She was 4ft11in and weighed about 7stone. She used to hate going in a wheelchair and it was very difficult to push, very heavy and a nightmare round the shops. Maybe your mum does find it easier to use a major buggy. I hope you find some nice people to talk to - I think there are some bumin ignorant people about saying things like that to you.

[viva]

hi fio 2 thanks for that people can be nasty i no if mum hasto leave me outside any shops she trys not to tho thats when if any tenagers around get bit worried they seem the worst i suppose coz im 16 my self i have to ignore coz i no i cant do anything about them yes i have thought id love get out of this buggy and hit you i no i cant i no what your sister goes through im about 4ft 8 i think was she in a buggy like me before going in a wheelchair. and when your in a buggy i find people dont realise its just my legs are bad and im normal every were else it does anoyy me its like if im a baby or something when people are talking to mum when im out im the same i dont like going in it but when you have bad joints in your legs you have no choice to go in it
thanks fio2 for being kind and hugs to your sister
xx

[fio2]

Thanks viva - unfortunately my sister died nearly 2 years ago now. She had cystic fibrosis and needed the wheelchair when she was waiting for a heart and lung transplant and she used to get breathless to much so to walk. She also used to have to carry an oxygen supply around with her. It was easy to hook it onto the back of the wheelchair. She hated it. People used to talk over her as if she was stupid. She was such a clever girl and it used to make my blood boil that she was treated like a second class citizen.. When she used to cough when we were out, you should have seen the looks we got - she was only coughing for goodness sake.

I am so sorry you encounter this kind of thing viva. I know from when I go out with SN daughter too the ignorance that exists. Thank you for your kind words and hugs to you too xxx

[Lou33]

Call wheelchair services Viva. They will be able to advise you if there are any better chairs available to you. I am sure there will be something that is suitable for you and your mum. Good luck.

[viva]

sorry to hear about your sis fio wish i never mentioned it sorry thanks lou if any 1 does hear a older child or teenager still in a maclatrn major please post on hear.i think i feel lot better knowing its not just me in 1 at 16 years old have you got 1 lou is it the blue and white stripe 1 mine is least it gets me around
thanks

[fio2]

dont be daft viva I dont mind you mentioning it hope you find someone who uses one too so you have someone to chat to

[sykes]

Viva, you sound like a fantastic girl and lots of luck with all you want to do. I'd love to help more but don't have any experience. As Fio2 says - ignore the idiots, when you can, it must be upsetting and so hard, but they are idiots - easy for me to say, I know. Lots of luck. Do you have any special hobbies - just interested. You've got amazing strength - lots of luck.

[Jollymum]

Viva, tell us more about you. There are loads of brilliant mums on here with sn kids who may be able to help. Your mum sounds like she's a nice lady!. Have you got brothers.sisters, what do you do (are you at school/college) and what do you like doing? How did you hear about Mumsnet, 'cos I'll tell you now, we're big gossipers and you'll get hooked! You never know, there's probably a mumsnetter near you and I still think we could wear a badge that only mumsnetters recognise (like the masons) and then if you want to talk to another Mn, we could have a secret sign!!! {Only joking about the sign, people, but maybe a badge?!) OK, time for bed as my dh is still playing on his "Boys"game on the Pc and I swear if he had the energy he'd be swinging round on his chair going "PEOW,PEEOW" or whatever a gun shooting sounds like!!

Keep posting Viva, looking out for messages.XXX

[Lou33]

My youngest child has cerebral palsy. He has an old style major too, because the new style didn't fit the additional seating he needs added to it. They aren't that attractive are they, but it has been a godsend for us.

[viva]

hi all sykes jollymum fio and every one you all are so kind and nice thankyou ( hugs and kisses to you )well im i6 go to like a special needs school well for my legs i went to a noramal school but got lots of nasty people saying things to me and use to cry alot like why you in a buggy y you in pram and things like that teachers use to push me from 1 lesson to another but them some people in my class use to
because the major is like a bigger version of a normal pushchair i use to get alot of comments still do abit
i like music and eastenders i have no sisters or brothers but a neighbour looks after me a lot her daughter use takes me out alot but she doesnt any more shes 15 tho and dont like pushing the buggy coz its a disabled i think i just came by this by acident but i like all you nice people and hope we can be friends i think disabled children are treated second class its like this girl once said do you wear nappies i use to not really now as i no how long im going be out and it was only when i was out with mum or someone that i couldnt get to the toilet but theres still nasty people out there to us children
just a wheelchair seems to heavy for mum and these buggies are light but yer thay not attractive really are they lou but the new elite looks really nice and smart but there so expensive mum says and has said our 1 does the job still.must admit normal buggies have allways seemed better looking than the major buggies like the seat seems so confy weres the old ones r like a blue stripy pvc nylon seat cold yer lol mum does put a blanket on the seat tho
sorry if it seems im feeling sorry for myself try not too just got get on with arnt we
bless you all thanks for your frienship

[fio2]

went for dds assessment today and yes she can have one but they have ran out of money and will not be able to order one until the next financial year (april!) She apparently is a priority and her other pchair is 'dangerous' for her because she is so big in it. I will be moved by april-what now..

viva they said today that ''new' wheelchair models are very lightweight and easy to push. Would you also be able to wheel yourself about in it? I would get in touch with wheelchair services if I was you and see if you can get one. They wont take your major buggy off you either

[Lou33]

I would do 3 things Fio. Firstly call wheelchair services in Kent, and ask for an appointment for when you have moved, or ask your local office if they can liaise with Kent, so they could provide the major, with your end doing the assessment. Thirdly, look on ebay for one. There have been a few for sale recently, and they sold for about £12 plus postage.

[fio2]

will do lou, you are so resourceful I am just so thick...dont answer that!

[nutcracker]

If any one is interested, there is a major pushchair on ebay at the mo

[fio2]

how much would you pay for one? I have bid but someone must have put a max in first. how much would you pay?