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SN children

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

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Original poster

agonising about motability car

17 replies

needmorecoffee · 20/12/2008 17:06

its been handy but its so expensive. £44 a week! Haven't used it for a week and wont use it next week so thats 80 quid for having it sat outside.
I know I should get rid....

OP posts:

2AdventSevenfoldShoes · 20/12/2008 18:47

you know what I will say............

keep it, you need it that is why you get mobility part of DLA

Original poster

needmorecoffee · 21/12/2008 08:38

I know but its 44 quid I use use for more important stuff. We only use the car about once every 10 days.
If this city had accessible buses and taxi's I'd ditch the car tomorrow.

OP posts:

DangerouslyUndercaffeinated · 22/12/2008 08:26

Do you have a dial-a-ride service where you live? Would that be an option if so?

SparklyGothKat · 22/12/2008 10:04

I would keep it and use it!! You may find you use it more after xmas, we have barely used our car this week and won;t next week, but would never consider sending it back TBH. Ds1 needs a car and I can't be biking him anyway (admire you for doing that, but doesn't your DD get cold at all? I know Ds1 would)

SparklyGothKat · 22/12/2008 10:05

You need to stop thinking about the £44, and forget about it, After a while you forget you ever had that £44

2AdventSevenfoldShoes · 22/12/2008 10:09

we were "lucky" as the moment dd was eligible we got a car so we never "had" the money iynwim

SparklyGothKat · 22/12/2008 10:12

we never had the money either, I think we had it for one month, while the car was being ordered, but we went and got a car straight away .

waltzywotzy · 22/12/2008 10:14

2shoes>>

TotalChaos · 22/12/2008 10:14

there's no decent alternative though is there, when you need to get to appointments/hospital etc, so I think you do need it.

SparklyGothKat · 22/12/2008 10:17

I got a car because although we have good bus links here, to get to appointments etc it would take a lot of planning and time. £44 is not a lot when you consider they pay the road tax, insurance, services, MOTs, etc. I think its bloodly good value!

SparklyGothKat · 22/12/2008 10:17

2AdventSevenfoldShoes · 22/12/2008 13:11

well... your dd is not going to shrink, she will get heavier and bigger, her wheelchair will get heavier and bigger. buses imo are not good for wheelchairs. in your car she will be the safest person(due to all the clamps) on a bus she will be loose lugage, relying on wheechair brakes.
so to use that horrid explesion "it's a no brainer" use the allowance for it. that is waht it is for.

Blossomhill · 22/12/2008 16:06

If I was in your shoes I would see your car as a necessity (sp?) rather than a luxury. My dd doesn't have a physical disabily but does have sn and honestly I couldn't be without my car (I don't get mobility obviously).
I think that having your car on your drive, with your dd's wheelchair in the boot is essential and is great if you really do need to get somewhere quick.
I wouldn't want to have the hassle of lumbering off and on transport, it's bad enough using it without having a wheelchair as well.
Also you have to wait around at bus stops etc and dd will get cold.

So what I am saying is you would be mad to send it back!!!

Original poster

needmorecoffee · 22/12/2008 16:31

argh. Dunno what to do. Its only used for appointments which are now about once a month.
(we not got that bike yet. Raised 500 squids so far towards the 4K)
The other issue is me and my wheelchair. Kangoo only takes one chair so may become unuseable anyhow as I get more useless.

OP posts:

SparklyGothKat · 22/12/2008 16:45

are you sure you don;t risk a huge return fee if you return it? I know they charge if you change cars during the agreement term, but not sure if you just return the car.

Motability buy the car from the dealer and then you lease it from motability.

Original poster

needmorecoffee · 22/12/2008 16:53

Its a £200 fee if you return it early (just over one months 'rental') but they waive it if you have good reason.

OP posts:

PheasantPluckingACarollingLute · 22/12/2008 17:23

Hope you can make a decision NMC. We don't have a car, but our borough gives us a concession on black cab fares (to a max each year) and we tend to use that facility to take dd to hospital appts. My dh is also very happy to take her on the bus - although I am less keen!

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