Speedy I-Go

Following a visit to our local wheelchair services, after applying for an electric wheelchair and being turned down, I decided to call into our local mobility store to check out the cost of purchasing my own.

I had a ride on a couple of different wheelchairs but it was the Speedy I-Go, that caught my eye.

Sadly as I was still in the PIP process, if I wanted to buy her I would have to fund her myself.

So with trepidation and following a discussion with friends both disabled and able the suggestion was made that I set up a go fund me to purchase her.

In the first few days, I had received over £200 which was amazing and some of the messages I received from donators made me realise I had made the right decision.

The following week I received an unexpected tax rebate and with what was already in the go fund me, I only needed a little more to be able to purchase.

At the beginning of the week, I sent a plea/pitch to the supplier to see if I could secure a discount on the price my local mobility store had quoted.

The purchase

By Thursday me being me I was getting impatient, this impatience sent me in the direction of eBay, which if I am honest I did so with not much hope as there was no way I was buying one from a supplier halfway across the Country.

The first listing I came across was for a demo model I-Go which I thought looked perfect and with my rebate and the go fund me I was close to the price.

When I clicked on the link, I saw it was a mobility shop only 15 miles away from me in Holme on Spalding Moor, Ebor Mobility.

Seeking out the number I rang and asked if I could go and have a look at it, I also asked if he would take my scooter in part ex and he told me he would be happy to consider it.

Arriving a couple of hours later, I walked into the shop and there she was looking at me, I sat on her and had a ride about in the shop just making sure she was still what I wanted and we had a chat and with taking my scooter in part ex I could afford to drive her away that day.

As we were about to get her into the car, Andy the owner went back inside and came out with an old pair of telescopic ramps he had taken as part ex, so now there was an easy way to get her into the car.

We had discussed ramps as I was explaining to Andy, I had seen someone on YouTube wheeling theirs into a standard car boot with the help of a ramp.

She does only weigh 23kgs when folded but because I now have left-sided weakness while I could pick her up with one hand, I was unable to balance her with the other, so the ramps were a godsend and what is more, they fold up and just sit behind the chair.

So even in my little Polo, I can fit the chair and the ramps in with ease.

Arriving home

The best part is she folds down easily and stands perfectly to slot into the corner of my living room.

Thank you

I couldn’t have done any of this without those of you who so generously donated and Andy at Ebor Mobility who I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

From the moment I walked into the shop, I knew he was a genuine guy who did what he did to help people like me. No side to him, no hard sell, just really wanted to help me and that he did.

Update: After using Speedy I-Go now since July, I can’t believe how much I have been able to do, that I thought was now out of my reach. She has been a massive help to me and allowed me to enjoy time with friends and family I might otherwise have had to turn down.

Next Steps

Following on from my successful PIP tribunal, this has allowed me to order a car with a hoist, so now my opportunities are endless, watch this space!

Rach! xx