Case study: Wheelchair add-on is a “game-changer” for six-year-old Ava

Six-year-old Ava, from Peterborough, can now enjoy family days out without worrying about her new wheelchair getting stuck thanks to the Rehasense Track Wheel.

Ava was born with cerebral palsy, which mainly affects her legs and core. It means she has to use a walker or wheelchair at all times.

Ava attends a mainstream school and is determined to be as independent as possible.  When her parents decided to purchase a new wheelchair, they wanted to get one that would help her achieve this.

“We started fundraising as we knew the type of wheelchair we wanted was going to be quite expensive,” Ava’s mother, Lauren, explains. “We were amazed how generous people were and when we had reached our target, I put a post on Instagram asking for any recommendations for a reliable wheelchair supplier and that is how we discovered Taylor Made Wheelchairs.”

Chris from Taylor Made Wheelchairs met with Ava and her parents to conduct an assessment, after which it was decided that a Ki Mobility Little Wave Click would be the perfect wheelchair for Ava’s requirements.

When they explained how much they enjoyed days out in the forest, on the beach, or at the local farm, Chris immediately recommended the addition of a Track Wheel from Rehasense.

Lauren continues: “The team at Taylor Made Wheelchairs were extremely helpful in advising us on what wheelchair to get and the addition of the Track Wheel is a real game changer.

“The wheelchair meets all of Ava’s needs and I am always amazed at how easy the Track Wheel is to attach and de-attach from the wheelchair. Whenever we have a day out we always put the Track Wheel in the car as it is so lightweight and easy to use should we need it.”

The Track Wheel has been designed to transform a standard manual wheelchair into an agile tricycle to enable wheelchair users to experience greater freedom. Whether the user is out and about around town or going for more adventurous days out over rougher terrain, such as in the forest or on the beach, the Track Wheel is an ideal companion.

By attaching the 12” Track Wheel, the wheelchair’s castors are raised, which slightly tilts the chair backwards. By noticeably reducing the rolling resistance, the user can enjoy increased speed, manoeuvrability and comfort.

Weighing from only 2.6 kg and available in single-arm carbon and double-arm aluminium or carbon, the Track Wheel adds very little weight to the existing wheelchair.

The single-arm model has been designed for use with rigid wheelchairs while the double-arm model will be for use with foldable wheelchairs featuring fixed integrated footrests.  Attaching the Track Wheel to the wheelchair frame requires no tools and the entire process takes a matter of seconds.

Since getting her new wheelchair and Track Wheel, Ava has been able to do things which were previously very challenging or impossible. For example, Ava recently took part in her school sports day, and the family has just returned from a camping trip where Ava was able to get about on the beach.

Up until now, Ava’s parents have always had to carry Ava across the beach, as they physically couldn’t use her old chair on the sand, so the fact she can now move around independently is fantastic for Ava’s confidence and independence.

Ava loves her new wheelchair and Track Wheel, commenting: “They help me get on the grass when we go to the farm, around the garden at home and I used it lots when we went camping.”

Lauren says: “I cannot thank the team at Taylor Made Wheelchairs enough for their help and for recommending the Rehasense Track Wheel and I would also like to thank Rehasense for coming up with such a fantastic product in the Track Wheel.

“In the short space of time we have had both, we have been able to do so much more as a family and that is all we wanted.  I would certainly recommend the Track Wheel and Taylor Made Wheelchairs to any family in a similar position to us.”

Taylor Made Wheelchairs has been a Rehasense dealer for over a year.

Emma Taylor, Managing Director at Taylor Made Wheelchairs, comments: “We love the Rehasense product range and the team are all very helpful and always available to answer any queries we may have and as a dealer this is very important.

“We mostly sell the Track Wheel and PAWS but since opening our new shop in Pensnett, Brierley Hill, West Midlands we are now stocking the Rehasense rollators and wheelchairs which are also very well made and competitively priced. Hearing what a difference we have been able to make to Ava’s day-to-day life is incredibly rewarding.”

For more information on the full range of mobility solutions available from Rehasense, call 0333 220 0704, email ukadmin@rehasense.com, or visit the website.

Contact Taylor Made Wheelchairs on 01384 438150, email emma@taylormadewheelchairs.co.uk, or visit the website.