Major buggy- how to get one and what age do they go up to?

[gess]

Am thinking we might need to consider one (long story, but basically ds1 has gone beyond unmanageable and is impossible to take out now unless you go exactly where he wants, never mind that you have other children/need to go back to the car etc etc, yesterday he pulled me over - twisted my ankle- and if he carries on he is going to break someone's leg one day).

Any info appreciated....... He can run as fast as the wind so I can't see us being provided with one. Is there a 2nd hand supply somewhere, or a chance to hire one/borrow one stock. We're flat broke so not over keen on forking out hundreds for one.

[mummytosteven]

www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B000IERJNE/sr=1-1/qid=1185566193/ref=sr_1_1/202-6219329-2321449 ?ie=UTF8&mcb=core

no personal knowledge, but according to mothercare website it is tested up to 50 kilos.

in terms of getting one: I have a friend with a DD who has autism who got a buggy for her for free via referral to OT from her DD's community nurse (but obviously you may not feel up to waiting for the system to get into action)

[Graciefer]

Hi Gess,

I had the same concerns about getting one for my DS, since he is not only mobile but quite a sprinter.

After trying many places (even freecycle) and much hitting of brick walls, I was finally adviced by my old portage worker to approach the school physio to cut down on red tape and paper work, I was also warned it was a long shot but worth a go.

So I phoned the school physio, explained why I needed one, the fact DS is an escaper, has no sense of danger and that he also refuses to walk with no warning.

We agreed to meet each other at the school, completed the forms together and crossed our fingers.

Within a month I had a call to say they were delivering a major.

Turns out they actually loan you the buggy and it remains the property of wheelchair services, but that is actually an advantage as they take care of all maintainence and any repairs needed.

You can get your OT to refer you, but going through the school physio cuts out the need for a visit or assessment.

Not sure what age they go up to, but they are pretty big, my DS looks tiny in his.

There was another boy at the donkeys on Saturday in one and he must of been 10 or 11.

Hope this helps a little, only trouble with this method is unfortunately it is the school holidays now.

Good luck with whatever you try anyways.

[gess]

OMG I didn't even know we had a school physio! PMSL. I do have a SS OT so could talk to her during holds. Probably school physio is a better shot. I did talk to school about how unmanageable he is in the annual review- they have the same problem.

[Pixel]

There are a few on ebay if that helps but I would think the OT is your best bet. Ours helped us get a safety harness for the car.

[gess]

Gosh they're quite pricey on ebay even aren't they. I might do some trial runs of ds1 crammed into ds3's buggy to see whether its going to work. My mum says he'll break it!

[gess]

Do you think? Our wheelchair services are crap! (I assume; they're always in the paper for taking 2 years to give severely disabled growing children a correctly sized wheelchair).

I think I have mixed feelings about it, although I know gracifer's son is quite similar to perhaps it will work.....

[gess]

Oh I hadn't thought of that. DS2's friend at school's mum works in a PD school as a physio- I'll ask her for advice when I see her on Monday.

[sallysparrow]

gess - fubsy here - dont want to sound too depressing, but everything youve read about DSC is true.

I would try a refrral, but dont be surprised if it gets bounced back immediately.

Ask the physios you know - we did have a second hand one at one point, but that might have been given out.

Another way might be to go through socuial services - they sometimes help where a child doesnt meet DSC criteria.

Good luck!

[gess]

ah thanks fusby..... No surprise there then

[Joggeroo]

These are so much easier to push than a major, we bought one a couple of months ago and it't transformed our family life. Great on bumpy roads/ over grass , a good size but folds up nicely. Once the VAT comes off they are less and I know some areas you can get voudchers from wheelchair services to part pay. the lady who sells them is a 3 wheel expert (am ashamed to say all my pushchairs have come form her!ordinary &now sN) , and has a few SN3-wheels to choose from., she might have ideas about funding or 2nd hand onesor hire.
I know you said you didn't have loads of pennies and they're expensive but I can't tell you enough the diffenence it has made it us and to my DS. His space, safe and a way to sit and look about without feeling the need to plonk himself all over the ground, or chase every little thing that catches his eye.

[sallysparrow]

Variety Club are pretty good for finding atm, much quicker than whizzkidz, although I like them cos their therapists do good assessments.

But you might find the wheelchair people in Cornwall good - i think its at Treliske, they are the DSC and a private company as well, and have been very helpful to some people I know.

Those 3 wheelers look nice.

[gess]

Thank you Jog and SS that's helpful.

I've always had 3 wheelers for my kids so I am tempted

Joggeroo how old is your ds? It's the 'chasing every little thing that catches his eye' that is one of our biggest problems and barriers to going out. Interesting that your ds loses that urge when he's in the buggy.

DS1 does (I think) find his compulsive looking at things a pain. When he's doing any ABA table work for example he makes sure he's crammed into a corner and can't dash off (!) clever boy.

[jane2004]

if you interested in a moajor the old strippy ones are very cheap now gess and they go up to a small adult some 1 is 23 and in 1 but quite small

[moondog]

I've noticed that quite a few of the autistic kids I work with really enjoy the 'enclosedness' of the major buggy.

One little girl had huge issues with food but magically resolved by bringing buggy in at lunchtime for her to sit in. Works like magic. No problem at all now.

[gess]

thanks - helpful again. If anyone spots a cheapo stripey one please let me know!

[jane2004]

i look out for you gess just the older ones have the strippy vinyl canvas and not the cotton fabric thats all mostly different with the 2 does every agree that has a maclaren major