To not want ds to have a wheelchair?

[ApignamedJasper]

Ds has a disability and uses a SN pushchair.

Unfortunately, as I don't drive and we walk a lot it is on it's last legs so we have applied for a new one.

As we have recently changed areas the people in charge have offered ds a wheelchair to replace it as they've said they don't do the SN pushchairs we had in the other area.

Aibu to be annoyed with this? Ds' disability is mental rather than physical, he is capable of walking but we need the pushchair mainly for safety reasons as it has a harness to keep him from climbing out & running off and the wheelchairs just have a very easily escapable lap belt. Aibu to think the wheelchair is not fit for purpose for him?

[Artandco]

Depends on his age really surely? Those under 5 fit in a standard pram like mountain buggy so just use one of those, then a wheelchair really is better to push and has higher weight limit etc if older

However I do think if he's able and old enough to walk you need to let him. You can get a safety strap/ harness if it's to prevent him escaping. Various ones for various ages from toddler through to adult size

[ArendelleQueen]

How old is he?

[zazzie]

How old is he? Around here it is the mac major then wheelchair unless they need postural support. We have bought our own buggies because the wheelchair is difficult to get him into when he is distressed. Our buggies are far easier to push than the wheelchair. Ds has a walking harness too but sometimes he needs to be contained for his own safety.

[ApignamedJasper]

He is 7, tall & heavy for his age and very strong. Reins/harnesses are a waste of time at the moment, he just refuses to wear them, can get out of them, or will throw himself on the ground and refuse to walk if he has one on.

[ApignamedJasper]

That is what we had zazzie but the new area doesn't do them and we can't afford to buy a new one - the safety concern is the main reason we have a SN pushchair/wheelchair in the first place - we do let him walk but only in areas where we can safely.

[ArendelleQueen]

It's a difficult situation. Does the Maclaren have a weight limit? Perhaps that's the issue?

[bigbluebus]

I would advise you to tread carefully here as you may end up with nothing. It has long been debated by many wheelchair services as to whether or not it is their responsibility to provide buggies/wheelchairs for people who need them for reasons other than mobility issues ie due to behaviour/safety.

Before anyone jumps down my throat, I'm not saying that I agree with this tactic as I would be inclined to agree that having a child who runs off or just sits down and refuses to move is very restrictive on the mobility of the rest of the family as well as the individual concerned - I'm just telling it as I have heard it from the services concerned.

[ApignamedJasper]

I'm not sure but it's supposed to be suitable up to age 10 and he isn't that heavy, just at the top end for a 7yr old if you see what I mean!

Apparently the new area only does wheelchairs, no SN pushchairs at all.

[ArendelleQueen]

Oh. Any local charities/organisations that could assist with a Mac?

[zazzie]

All he would be offered here is a wheelchair. And you would be told that that is better because it is more grown up with no thought at all to what will keep him safe/ mean you can leave the house.

[NobodyLivesHere]

Can you get a harness fitted to the wheelchair?
I don't think you are being unreasonable to want what already works and if the wc isn't fit for purpose it seems pretty stupid to have one really

[ApignamedJasper]

I doesn't make any sense does it zazzie? The only reason we have it is to keep him safe and the only thing they will offer us does not do that, so what's the point? He doesn't care one iota if it's more 'grown up' or not, he isn't aware of any of that.

Fed up with useless services!

Fed up with waiting 9 months for a dental appointment too, it's so unfair to him but that's a whole other issue :(

[sticklebrickstickle]

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for the buggy but unfortunately if they don't normally provide them in your local area I doubt you will be able to insist unless you can very clearly show a wheelchair cannot meet his needs.

Most wheelchairs can be fitted with additional straps to the standard lap belt so it should be possible to have a harness on the wheelchair to stop him being able to escape. Discuss this with his OT (or whoever you are getting the wheelchair through) and be clear about the need for secure harnessing and they should hopefully be able to provide a wheelchair which will enable this.

[madwomanbackintheattic]

Have you had your wheelchair services appointment? They should go through your needs and come up with a suitable plan (including harnesses etc as appropriate) to meet his needs.
Why didn't you just bring the Mac major with you when you moved? We just signed a form to transfer ownership from one authority to the other and kept it. (We did the same with the wheelchair).

To be honest, by this sort of age, most authorities are trying to transition kids to wheelchairs anyway as a more age-appropriate solution. Pushchairs can be seen as infantilising the user etc etc (and leading to unwarranted criticism 'that kid is too big to be in a buggy' etc etc). At least with a wc there is an obvious marker for the hoiky bosoms brigade.

Dd2 moved to a wc once she started school (to wheel her there and back, and for shopping trips etc). We used the Mac major on and off for a few years.) She doesn't use either at the moment.

You can usually pick up Mac majors on e-bay second hand if you really want one, and could adapt with a crelling or something.

[itsnothingoriginal]

Agree with ArendelleQueen about trying a charity or for a grant for a Mac Major. Cerebra?

Or second hand on Ebay?

Have been watching Ebay as DD could do with one at times as she's getting very heavy to carry - still quite expensive though

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Thinking outside the bix a.little - if you can only get a wheelchair would an aftermarket wheelchair harness work?
www.crelling.com/mobile/pages.php?id=14064

[ApignamedJasper]

Madwoman, yes he has had his assessment appointment and we did bring the mac major with us, we couldn't have managed without it! Several years of daily use has worn the poor thing out now though.

I guess I will have to wait & see if it can be adapted but at the moment the mac major is far better from a safety perspective, regardless of what they prefer to put him in.

I have looked on eBay before but not driving makes it awkward as I can't pick them up but I'll keep looking.

[KungFuhrer]

Is there anywhere that can repair it?

[madwomanbackintheattic]

I don't understand the safety perspective - You can get a crelling harness fitted if he needs it, and wcs should do it as part of the order?

I think I picked ours up for about £60 second hand. It wasn't in too bad nick, but wheelchairs do tend to be a bit more robust. I used to flail the Mac open one handed while hanging on to dd2 or prop her against the wall lol. If you were closer you could have ours.

Have you posted on the sn board or on skinuk? Someone might have one they aren't using any more? Total pain if not driving though, but you never know. Sometimes things work out...

[Fairylea]

Have you tried Family Fund for a grant for one? Or as others have said, Cerebra or Cauldwell Children? Worth a try.

[IamTheWhoreofBabylon]

I may be talking rubbish here as I have oy worked in adult services
Both the services I have worked in, different areas, offered a voucher so you could top up to buy what you wanted if you didn't wish to have the standard issue chair
Will they give you a voucher?

[hazeyjane]

If you are on Facebook there are several pages devoted to special needs equipment and buggies - may be worth putting a post on them

The trouble with a grant is that many won't give grants fir equipment that the nhs will provide

[vdbfamily]

any chance they have a voucher scheme where they give you the money it would cost to provide and service a wheelchair and you can use that money towards something preferable that meets his needs. Have you investigated whether any charities would assist with funding.Are there any linked to his condition?