Wheelchairs: Don’t be scared, embrace them as friends

Ian Franks has MS and, because he has severe mobility problems, he is also a wheelchair user. Today he says don't be afraid to use wheelchairs, they are tools to help you get around and improve your independence.

Several floors up, fire alarm sounds – but you have mobility problems

Picture the scene. You are several floors above ground and the fire alarm sounds. You have not been informed of either a drill or a test and, so, the instructions are: evacuation. Just one problem, you have mobility issues. You either use a wheelchair or can on walk down the stairs with great difficulty, in pain, …

Invest more in innovation and development say wheelchair users in international study

Millions of people have lower-limb paralysis - the most common causes being strokes, spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis. Now, users of wheelchairs and other devices to assist lower limb mobility say they need more money to be invested in innovation and development. And, as a wheelchair user, I agree totally. This is the result …

Adapting to a new normal in our lives

Normal. Just what is it? Is anything or anyone really normal? I often say that I have never pretended to be normal and, while said light-heartedly, there is more than a grain of truth there…for a variety of reasons. We all have our ow normal. But, the main reason I’m not everyone’s idea of normal …

Mobility scooters: A question of cruising

Cruise lovers have widely differing opinions about the use of mobility scooters on board ships. And that affects everyone with mobility difficulties, whether caused by a disease such as multiple sclerosis, injury, or even aging. Their views are included as comments on a story appearing on cruise.co.uk website. They vary from calls for mobility scooters …

Mobility aids: Choose what’s best for you

Mobility – well, truthfully, difficulty in moving around, is something that many of us with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities must overcome. And, for our benefit, there are numerous mobility aids on the market for us to choose. These vary from the basic walking stick, or cane, right up to the top of the range, …

Hotel group bans disability scooters

Able-bodied people are being blamed for hiring and misusing mobility scooters leading to one of the leading hotel chains in Benidorm, Spain, to ban the scooters that are essential mobility aids for people with one or more of a whole range of disabilities. As I live with multiple sclerosis and use a powered wheelchair, you will …