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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

advice on car / motorbility

21 replies

amandamum · 21/08/2004 23:10

Hi, I've only just discovered this website, it is fab. Perhaps you can help. My twin boys - nearly three - have cerebral palsy, and cannot walk. One will probably need a wheelchair by the age of five. I also have a five year old daughter, and our Renault Scenic is groaning, plus I've a bad back loading Charlie and Archie into the car up to eight times a day. I get motorbility soon - can anyone recommend a car? Is it better to lease or buy? I fancy a VW Caravelle but our local so-called motorbility 'expert' at the garage was so rude I nearly cried! Wondered if there is a car out there anyone likes and recommends. Ta muchly and it is nice to know that I'm not alone, by the way.

OP posts:
lou33 · 21/08/2004 23:27

Hello amanda, welcome to MN . We haven't got a motability car yet, although ds2 gets the highest rate dla, but it is something we have looked into, wrt what type of car we want. The motability site has a small questionnaire, which helps decide what car may be best for you, have you had a look? The link is here .

We have decided that when we go for one, the Citroen C8 is best for us. We have 4 kids, the youngest aged 3 has CP, and is ina wheelchair now, he is 3 1/2.

How awful for you, feeling so bad with the rep. What was it he/she did? And where, so I know to avoid them!

Hope you find this site helpful.

lou33 · 21/08/2004 23:34

Also meant to say, have you spoken to OT about getting hoists for lifting your boys into the car? We have the same problem with ds2, and both mine and dh's backs are going. We got a sn car seat, which helps, as the sides are lower, so easier to put him in and out, and it is less bucket shaped, which improves his posture when sitting, making his spine less curved. That may help too. They are not cheap though, the size ds2 needs is £150 iirc, and the next size up is a whopping £500, though he won't need that one for 3 or 4 years.

coppertop · 21/08/2004 23:36

I don't know the answers to your questions but just wanted to say welcome to Mumsnet.

Original poster
amandamum · 21/08/2004 23:51

Gosh, I am definitely not alone, swift replies - thanks! It is really nice to find this board, and I know I'll be stuck to it now! Thanks for the advice. I'll look up the Citroen. And girls, avoid SJ Smith VW in Elephant and Castle, London. Here's another one to make your blood boil - when I went to see the headmistress of the local primary school the other week, about the boys joining, she said it "is not a school for failures" and she did not want to accept "Two children who will fail". She added sweetly: "They'll have to let the normal children get passed first, otherwise there will be a bottleneck!" Needless to say, we're not sending them there. Positive note - have met loads of nice people and Ms headmistress and Mr VW are thankfully few and far between. Good luck with your car, Lou! Amanda

OP posts:
lou33 · 21/08/2004 23:58

Amanda I am outraged! OMG! You have to complain to the local authority about her comments, even if you don't want them to go there. She is actually not allowed to refuse admission to your children, and assuming they are statemented, they actually get priority admission over others, so she needs to be well and truly torn a strip off. I am so sorry you have met such awful people recently. My blood is BOILING on your behalf.

anniebear · 22/08/2004 09:51

Oh Amandamum, I AM IN SHOCK! Nearly sppechles and that takes a lot!

I can't belive she said that. You should complain, she is awful, but I am quite sure you wouldn't want your children to go there now anyway. I am sure they are far too nice for her School!

My Daughter Ellie has a statement and when we went to see the local School (they were fantastic) they said that there would be no problem Ellie getting a place as she has a statement. So Mrs Headmistress with an attitude must have got it slightly wrong (maybe she is not very clever!!!)

anniebear · 22/08/2004 09:53

Sorry, forgot to do a spell check on my post!!!!! Was rushing!!

Mrs Headmistress wouldn't let me into her School either if she saw my spelling, imagine what I would do to the overall grades?!!!!!!!

dottee · 22/08/2004 22:41

Ms Headteacher is bang out of order. Lou's right in saying your two should get priority!

Has she not seen all the building work going on in all primary schools to make them 'inclusive' by 1 October? Ofsted would be interested in hearing about her attitude and so would your local LEA!

End of sermon!

Welcome to MN Amanda and family

dottee · 22/08/2004 22:47

Also, can't really recommend a car as my dd isn't a wheelchair user, although I have had to buy a 7 seater as she is prone to swiping me whilst driving!!!

But a good read is this.

heartinthecountry · 23/08/2004 20:43

Hi Amanda - it's me, Willow's mum! (she says trying to retain a scrap of anonymity!) welcome to mumsnet. found this myself a couple of months ago, have been posting ever since. Warning - it is addictive!

Will give you a call re meeting up.

Original poster
amandamum · 27/08/2004 22:45

Hey heartinthecountry - small world eh? This is great, isn't it! Didn't know you were an on-line girl, but definitely up for meeting in the park!

OP posts:
slightlymad · 27/08/2004 22:49

me too!!!!
I was just today awarded DLA mobility and have been looking into cars!!!

I really don't know where to start!
The man at eth Vauxhall garage this afternoon even had the cheek to ask which child was disabled!!!

Erm....try the one whos currently on a sensory meltdown and is climbing like a maniac all over your lovely new Astra!!! PMSL!!
He even had the cheek to tell DS to get off that car or your Daddy will have to pay for the damage!!!! Just how much training do these 'motability experts' get?? Obviously not enough!!!!

lou33 · 28/08/2004 00:20

Oh yeehaw, this is all making me so look forward to the time we get around to talking to one of these people. I can actually see me now, blowing my top in full view of everyone, telling them what I thought, with mortified kids alongside, and dh swapping between telling me to calm down, and joining in! Anyone want to book seats?

Original poster
amandamum · 28/08/2004 21:45

Actually I did get one bit of sensible advice from a really nice lady at mercedes - all the motorbility 'expert' men that I spoke to were too cool to try and help. But this one woman explained motorbility and suggested it might be an idea to lease, rather than buy, for three years cos you get insurance and servicing thrown in, and then if your needs have changed in three years (quite possible, we don't know if both our sons will be in wheelchairs) then you can change cars. This seemed to make sense but GAWD I hate car salesmen!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
amandamum · 28/08/2004 21:47

And by the way Lou, I'll come along and watch you at the garage. I so know what you're saying!!

OP posts:
Jimjams · 28/08/2004 21:58

HI amandamum- we've just got our first motability car (ds1 is autistic and shares a name with one of your twins ). We went for the new Scenic Grande. I'm really pleased with it- we had to pay £499 up front (we were choosing between that and the vauxhall zafira which would have been free up front). The boot is pretty big on it (much bigger than the normal scenic) and its really easy to alter the seats.

Jimjams · 28/08/2004 22:01

BTW you MUST write to the LEA complaining about the head's comments - copy the letter to the head and your MP as well. She deserves to have the wind put up her. the LEA will be horrified as they are terrified about the disability discrimination act - at least our LEA are.

lou33 · 28/08/2004 22:12

How many seats is a scenic grande jimjams?

slightlymad · 29/08/2004 09:55

Glad you like the Grand Scenic!
We just ordered one on mobility yesterday!
We have a Zafira at present - and I can't wait to get the Scenic!

Original poster
amandamum · 29/08/2004 22:06

Grand scenic looks lovely - but is there enough room in boot for a wheelchair if all seven seats are up? My daughter wants her friends in the car, and the twins will need a combination of walking frame/wheelchair. My blood pressure goes up thinking about it. . .!

OP posts:
willow2 · 30/08/2004 20:48

heartinthecountry - if you are my mum, what are you doing on here? You are supposed to be on holiday with my stepfather.

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