To wonder if you could do this walk?

[elliejjtiny]

Just wondering who could do this walk, 9 miles a day in 3 separate walks. All of it while carrying a 10kg toddler in a sling, 6 miles pushing a 4 year old in an NHS wheelchair as well which means walking hunched forward as a wheelchair made for a 4 year old is tiny.

I used to do 6 miles a day with the double buggy when children were a bit younger and I think I'm fairly fit (though chunky) but I don't think many people would be able to do that walk. I think the wheelchair would break before I did though, as it's really not designed for that kind of use.

In the interests of not drip feeding, this is about DS2's entitlement to school transport. Currently catching a bus that is often not wheelchair accessible and costs me £51 a week (from April will be £60 a week). I don't drive, school is our nearest, School transport services said I need to provide a letter from my GP to explain why I can't walk that far in those conditions before they will look at DS2's claim. He is currently at school part time, DS1 is in year 2, full time. DH works 8-6 plus overtime. No breakfast/afterschool club. We live in the back end of nowhere and can't afford to move.

Just thought I would check I'm not being pathetic before I ask the GP to write a letter saying I have notpaularadcliffe disease.

[onceortwice]

I could do it. But I damnful sure wouldn't WANT to HAVE to do it 5 days a week in all sorts of weather.

SO, IMHO, it's unreasonable that you would be expected to do that simply to access school / education.

[OwlLady]

surely he should be getting higher rate care if he can only get in and out of chair and do minimal walking?

You can get carers grants too, which you could put towards driving lessons (if you want, it's only a suggestion) there is information on carers uk about this

have you tried talking to parent partnership or similar reference a statement?

[elliejjtiny]

No I can't drive. He gets middle rate care and high rate mobility dla. He can walk very short distances so he can get out of his chair to go to the toilet but the class TA takes him so she can open the door, help him wash his hands, use the hand dryer and make sure he doesn't fall in. He can wheel himself slightly longer distances (so around the school but not 1.5 miles). I've asked the SENCO to apply for 1 to 1 funding for him but he doesn't qualify. He gets a 1 to 1 when they leave the school grounds to push his wheelchair but that's it. The class TA does everything else (she is a saint).

[OwlLady]

why doesn't he have a statement? surely he needs a statement for his personal care needs?

are you claiming dla? (I am just think of the mobility element for the car ifthe physical disability is severe) Can you drive?

[McHappyPants2012]

No way is that possible daily, especially in the winter months

[elliejjtiny]

Just realised I only answered some of the questions. He doesn't have a statement. He's at the closest school to us but not the catchment school as the catchment school is further away and not on a bus route. Trying not to out myself but the school is on an estate where most of the children live. Most of the parents either don't have a car or one parent works full time and takes the car with them. We are the only ones who live this far out.

[elliejjtiny]

Thanks everyone. DS2 is in reception. I'll phone the GP tomorrow and ask if she can do a letter for me. I did consider a maclaren major but one of the mums at school had one and she said they are harder to push than the wheelchair. Might send this thread to the school transport service as further evidence that it's impractical.

[QueenStromba]

I could probably do the 3 lots of 3 miles a day but not carrying a toddler and pushing a wheelchair. I once pushed my granny for about a mile in a wheelchair and she can't have weighed more than 7/8 stone at the time and it was bloody hard work - it's not just pushing the weight, it's also the trying to keep it going in a straight line (i.e. not going into the road) and getting it up and down pavements when you are crossing the road.

[eurowitch]

I could do it, but I wouldn't want to. I walk for around 1 hr per day (carrying a hefty bag, but not pushing anything) and enjoy it, but that is 3 hrs+, in all weathers. I think it is unreasonable to expect you to do it.

I know it's not an instant solution, but is there any possibility of you being able to learn to drive? It would make your life so much easier.

[choceyes]

Just to recommend you the Toddler Connecta if your little one is getting heavy in the sling, should make it easier and more supportive and can support till they are 15kg, on your back (i do this with my nearly 4yr old sometimes!).
but in the long term, I think you should get on of those Maclaren Majors, I've seen them they look quite good and very high too, so should be easy to push.

[GrimmaTheNome]

Presumably there's no possibility of anyone local looking after the toddler, and DS2 on the afternoon journey just until you get the transport sorted - which I sincerely hope you can, that's far too much. No-one at the school live near enough to bring your DS1 home for you? Heck, if I knew of anyone doing what you're doing I'd go a few miles out of my way to do that small service.

[GoSakuramachi]

With a double buggy yes (I do similar daily) but with a little wheelchair and a hulking toddler, no I don't think so.

[Ephiny]

I probably could. But it does sound a bit excessive, and it seems odd that they'd need a GP's letter to say that. But if that's the hoop you have to jump through, then it's worth doing, I guess!

[weegiemum]

Can you ask OT/physio for a Maclaren major for school run? I agree it sounds vile. But it's at a decent height for the pusher and easier to manoeuvre than a wheelchair (dd2 was in a wheelchair for 2+ years due to her hips).

If your dc has a disability (do you get DLA? Do you have a blue badge?) school should be looking at providing transport like a taxi. We got this when the bus stop was moved too far away from the house for dd2. One letter from her consultant was all it took!

[choceyes]

OwlLady oh yes sorry. I guess he needs the wheelchair at school (is it possible to have another wheelchair at school - sorry I don't know the ins and outs of this kind of thing) I think you should really push for assistance. Sounds like you should be eligible for it. Sounds exhausting though.

[tethersend]

How old is your son? You say he's part time- is he in nursery?

[degutastic]

Could I do it? Yes. Do I think it's acceptable to expect you to do it day in, day out, and keep up with everything else that needs done when you have a house and kids and such? Definitely not.

I also suffer from notpaularadcliffe disease. It's a little appreciated debilitating condition

[OwlLady]

choceyes, her son is a wheelchair user

[ElectricMonk]

I couldn't do it with those limitations, especially not taking into account the weather and inevitable winter colds/coughs etc. Trying to do that, then prepare dinner, take care of children and help with homework etc when you get home would be totally exhausting!

[OwlLady]

does this help?

I think you need to get a letter off the GP for yourself too. You need to keep yourself well as a carer

[choceyes]

Can you cycle with a trailer for 2 children? We have one for our nearly 4yr old and 2yr old.

[MyDaydream]

I couldn't do it on my own without carrying one child and pushing another. How do they expect you to get anything else done when your going to be so exhausted from doing that each day?

[WitchesTitWhistles]

You are definitely not being pathetic. What's going to happen when your toddler outgrows the sling?

[choceyes]

Hmm no not everyday, maybe as a one off yes, but not as a school run everyday. I am pretty fit. I walk all day when I'm with the children pushing a buggy and no sling and on work days (3 days a weel) I walk about 7 miles pushing a double buggy and sometimes have a 10.5kg toddler in a sling. Can't do that 5 days a week though.