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SN children

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Original poster

Major Buggy, do people stare??

43 replies

anniebear · 16/08/2004 12:21

Hiya

I am new to Mumsnet and have spent the last few evenings reading through months of postings!!

My Daughter Ellie nearly 3 has Special needs and we have just spoken to the OT about getting her a Major Buggy.

She is walking and it isn't obvious to people that she has special needs.

When reading through the posts a few of you were saying about people string and rude comments that people say (unbelievably ignorant people!)
What I wanted to ask was, Do many of you find people do stare a lot when pushing the Major buggy?

I am a self conscious person anyway and the thought of people staring or making comments is upsetting.

Can't believe some of the comments some of you have had.

I would like to think I would give somebody a mouthful but most probably would end up going home and crying!

OP posts:

slightlymad · 24/08/2004 08:48

Like Lou33 - i've had people asking me where it was bought from as they'd like a big buggy for their kids!! I gave the same reply - that it was an SN pushchair.
I was in Blackpool the other week and a kid in a pushchair, i'd say she was about 2 years old, said "Mummy I want a big buggy like that one"!!!!! I don't think people really realise - unless they know what one is already. We just returned from Disneyland Paris and the man on the gates at Disney said "Wow - that is a biiiiig pushchair"!!! So he obviously didn't know!
I have had stares and comments from people who don't know any better - but I wouldn't be without it now. I find it invaluable and very easy to push too!

Fio2 · 24/08/2004 08:49

I used to have a VW beetle and all the other VW beetle drivers used to wave to one another and I think the same can be said for Major buggy drivers

Dingle · 24/08/2004 09:47

Going off the rails a bit here- but I had a VW beetle to, it was my 1st car, and to start with I just couldn't make out why they were flashing me!
Sorry, just had to share that with you.

viva · 24/08/2004 17:15

Hi jollymum and all yes interesting vw beetle and major buggy are alike, can i ask is the rude comments about i have said earlier about them, being big pushchairs allso these buggys have no age limit and me being small i fit in it easy and its so easy for my mum to move me about, easy than a wheelchair she says, but being im 16 should i worry being in it still i know i have mentioned this before im sorry going on but what im trying say these buggys suppose take up to a small adult, so its ok then for a adult be in 1 then can i have some of your views please i would appreciate it.also if any 1 seen any teenagers or adults in these buggys can you post a message just i would feel bit better i bet im the only 1that uses these buggys post on here o well hope you dont mind me posting do you. xx

geekgrrl · 24/08/2004 17:52

oooh I want one now (Major that is, don't think I could fit the kids into a beetle) but dd has to make do with being crammed into the Twin Aria with her little bro...

viva · 25/08/2004 08:39

Hi we should have a maclaren major owner club lol!! every 1 now will be major buggy spotting just say your from mumsnet if you see 1.dont forget please post if you see any teenagers using 1 thanks then ill feel better

Davros · 26/08/2004 16:38

frogs, ROFL at the hoofing great lardy NT kids!
I sometimes try to look over if I see one in what I think is a "kinldy/friendly" way as I'd really like to say, I've got a kid with SN too and I understand a bit. I probably look like an eejit!

viva · 28/08/2004 13:49

Hi does any 1 know where to get raincapes instead of raincovers to fit me and my buggy. dont they go over you and the buggy? just them raincovers on you feel so closed in and when on you a while they got a plasticy smell to them ( well mine has or is it just me )being a maclaren major buggy will it need be bigger than the normal ones or do they stretch

jane2004 · 30/08/2004 18:28

Hi just would like to say these buggies ( old style blue strippy type ) when did they start making these, just i have looked at some and these major buggies look from the 70s era they dont have even a 5 point harness just a lap strap, is this good putting a disabled child in these . These buggies are suppose to be from 3 yrs old. Any information or websites regarding these maclaren major buggies would be appreciated. This lady who was selling hers said it was about 4 years old ( the older model in the pic earlier thread) But to me itlooked very 70s with the strap across the seat and the seat fabric itself being like a nylon plastic type the early maclaren buggies was like this in the late 70s early 80s.So any information when this type was made would be appreciated as i dont want buy a buggy for a disabled child that is about 25 years old when did the later models start please as i have a child with walking problems , but reading all the threads i can understand people staring at you when you have a buggy from the late 70s, more so than staring coz the buggy is oversize , which these older ones could have been made then.Know one seems to know even at the hospital about them thanks

lou33 · 30/08/2004 18:35

You can get five pint harnesses for the old style buggy from CRelling Harnesses. When dd1 had one, about 1o years ago, it was a lap strap only, and being as she was only 2 at the time, I wasn't happy having her restrained like that. CAn't remember how much it costs, but doing a google search should come up with the goods.

Jollymum · 30/08/2004 20:09

Viva, what would you like, really? A big SN buggy or a wheelchair? I'm sure that it this day and age, your Mum could maybe get one that is trendy enough for you and light enough for her? If it's a question of cash, ask all the SN mums on here. They will know every trick and turn in the book to get help. ASK, don 't be shy and then if it's an electric chair (or whatever there is now) you could have some independence and maybe even visit some of us nosey/helpful buggers!!??!! I help out in a SN school so could maybe ask around. You are entitled to help, use it. Lots of love, have to go 'cos DH is yelling at me about Mumsnet, so haven't checked spellings!XXX

lou33 · 30/08/2004 20:48

You could get a basic nhs wheelchair free from wheelchair services.

viva · 02/09/2004 09:35

Hi id like a brand new buggy or electric chair but im so small tho for 1 i have been told.and the buggy not so cumbersome mum says ,and sometimes we go over fields and rough ground so really a buggy with the chunky wheels and suspension would be better there is some 3 wheel special needs buggys around that have all this but while my old maclaren keeps going its still ok i have been told. ( or my mum has )but the major isnt suppose to go rough ground well mine does but not too good thanks tho for your help where do you get the 3 wheeler ones any 1 knows mum has heard they take up to adult size. Buggys are so light tho for going in and out cars now i know the maclaren major is for small adults as well im not too concious going in it. but a brand new 1 would be nice but while my old one is still going i wont get 1 for free will i
you are all so kind xxxxx

lou33 · 02/09/2004 11:41

viva, I have a 3 1/2 year old boy, with cp, who cannot walk. He had a major bugy until summertime and now he has a wheelchair. The wheelchair is MUCH better for going over rough ground imo, because the back wheels are so much bigger, it takes the pits and stones no problems. I found the major wheels a pain on grass or bumpy ground, the wheels are too small and are unlockable, so you end up shooting all over the place. Wheelchairs are also better for pavements and stairs, because the big wheels don't get caught on the step like the major wheels can do.

If they can find a wheelchair to fit a 3 year old they can get one to fit you. It's a bit heavier to lift but i prefer the way you set it up. And the way it folds down gives more boot space, because a wheelchair is not as long.

marmet0 · 20/09/2004 10:42

Hi all just a quick question wheel broke on my buggy that i use for my daughter ( maclaren parts are so dear ) any were i could get one please is there a place other than maclaren do parts for the major buggy.Also been told its too old to get a wheel for it when did the major buggies start any 1 knows ? theres not been a rapid change in models is there
thanks bit desperate to sort something out

NomDePlume · 20/09/2004 11:30

Sorry to butt in, but I've also seen loads of children in electric wheelchairs, so I can't see how the specialists can get away with telling you that youare too small for one ! There is a young lad in my DS2's school who has a motorised chair and he is 6 ! In fact there was a small lad in my high school who also had a motorised chair, and that was 10 years ago !!! Don't be fobbed off viva !

Sorry, can't help with Major wheel prob.

lou33 · 20/09/2004 11:36

I don't understand. Why aren't wheelchair serices servicing and replacing the parts for you?

viva · 27/09/2004 11:56

Hithanks lou 33 yes got another buggy from the wheelchair services and they took the old one away but they say the new one they gave me is more for an adult than my old 1 . mum said to the lady about it has only a strap accross rather than like a 5 point harnes and she said there for the younger children and the ones that are more disabled .mum did say to her that she thought the buggy that she gave me was older 1 but she said no its not .this new 1 is for more of an adult buggy so it has only a strap to hold you in she did say it cant be older than i year old its like my old 1 but has more stipes going down the seat rather than just the 1 and has a label saying maclaren buggy, it does look shiny tho is the lady right it it has only 1 year old and there are 2 types of maclaren buggy 1 for larger children and 1 for small to medium adults now she said, and quite a few adults have these type buggies just i thought id tell you what happened
with them did any one know the 2 different type buggies

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