Mobility Scooter trial extended

Published 05 March 2007, Posted in Northland

Crossing the road with the pedestrian lights is something that most people take for granted. Imagine the joy/liberation of finally being able to do just that, for the first time.

The Mobility Scooter lending scheme has given people with limited mobility, who normally rely on driving and finding a park near their destination, the ability to park in one place and scoot around town at their leisure, including crossing the road with other pedestrians.

The scheme was launched in early December for a two month trial period, but has been extended for a further two months now that the busy holiday period is drawing to a close. “Many people who have limited mobility avoid the city centre during the holidays as it can be a nightmare to find parks,” says Disability Sector Reference Group (DSRG) chair, Vanassa McGoldrick. The group initiated the scheme and is thrilled by the ongoing support of Buchanans Home Healthcare & Mobility, who has donated the use of a mobility scooter for the trial and agreed to the two-month extension.

“We hope to find a sponsor to purchase up to three mobility scooters for Whangarei, but in the meantime we are very appreciative of Buchanans support,” says Ms McGoldrick. The scooter can be booked at the Whangarei Central Library. Once applicants and library staff have been through the terms and conditions and a $5 deposit paid (refundable on the return of the scooter), customers can use the scooter to get around the Whangarei town centre for two hours, between 9.00 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. A cell phone is also available in case of any problems or mishaps.

“It’s incredible,” says scooter user Jonny Wilkinson Member of the DSRG and CEO of Tiaho Trust. “I’ve never been able to cross the road or go into many of the retail outlets in Whangarei before without a major hassle” “Shopping has always been a nightmare but rather than a morning in town being painstaking, it is astonishingly convenient when I’ve had a lifetime of not being able to keep up or go where I want to.” One of the problems of mobility scooters is the stigma of old age that often surrounds them but Mr Wilkinson says that he was blown away when he jumped on. “I could go anywhere I wanted by whatever route I chose. It’s a blast,” he says.

The DSRG is encouraging anyone with limited mobility to trial the scooter, which will be available at the library until the end of March