Mobility is essential for the well-being of disabled people because it allows them to participate in daily activities and live independently.
As a child Oakley needs equipment to help him strengthen and gain mobility and start to move around independently inside the home and out and about.
Oakley’s equipment in the home
In 2025 we expect Oakley will need replacement and/or additional items of equipment in the home and for mobility. Oakley has an array of mobility equipment to aid his progress with occupational therapy, including Xpanda chair, stander, walker, current small wheelchair, Stingray buggy. These have been funded by the NHS and we are hugely grateful for this. They are absolutely essential for children like Oakley to have use of, to aid all kinds of health processes we take for granted, as well as promote good postures, develop motor control, strengthen bones and joints, muscle strength. Many are adjustable and we have regular visits from a range of people as he grows to tune his equipment. Oakley enjoys drawing and painting, playing the keyboard among most other typical things all 3 year olds do!
A powered wheelchair will be provided for Oakley when he starts school Sep 2025. For us to maximise Oakley’s strength and mobility however we will need additional items at our own cost.
Next Oakley needs his own manual wheelchair approx £5k and this has been covered by a grant via SMA UK for this which has been excellent news. Oakley has developed high skill already in his manual wheelchair (and a love of slopes and speed!) and this has provided much needed independence for him.
During Oakley’s first year, Nick and Amy paid for and did some DIY for the ‘home physio’ / lounge as well as purchasing various physio/OT items Oakley uses every day. Jonny, Nick’s brother purchased a set of mini adjustable parallel bars which are part of his step taking program.
And he has trialled a special tricycle which would be uniquely impactful for his hips and leg work, have lots of longevity for growth over several years, giving heaps of general health benefits as well as muscular work he’d otherwise miss out on. approx £3k.
Transporting Oakley and his equipment
An accessible vehicle is essential. We currently have a Ford Tourneo connect 2019 which we purchased 2nd hand. Fortunately the UK has the excellent Motability scheme through which we have ordered a Ford Torneo with WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) due summer/autumn 2025. The scheme allows disabled people with the qualifying mobility allowance to pay a deposit on a vehicle assessed for their needs and have use of it for around 4 years. We may need to find additional funds for this depending on what Oakley’s current vehicle sells for.
Accessibility in the home and garden
The Accessible Home Project (Nick’s blog post here) completed in 2023 funded by family and Bristol council grant created an extended and accessible home for Oakley and a wheelchair accessible garden.
Thank you for all your help!
Please see the blog for all the updates on fundraising activities.