Scooter’s big brother and other things

Trampers

I have just come across something that looks like the disabled world’s 4x4 off road wheel chair! It is known to its friends as a Tramper and it is capable of travelling over rough ground, and steep hills.  Apparently a group of trampers were seen over the summer at Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales, my neck of the woods. They were also spotted on Mastiles Lane, a well known Dales green lane, but if you are observant they can be spotted in such places as the North York moors,  the New Forest, the Thames path and the Gower Peninsula.

So I went to the Internet to find out more about them, and discovered that the trampers are owned by an organisation called the Disabled Ramblers Association.  http://www.disabledramblers.co.uk/ 

They describe themselves;

We are a group of like-minded disabled people who enjoy being in the countryside, and who get about using paths and trails of all kinds. We are truly 'ramblers', although very few of us can walk more than a few yards! Our membership consists mainly of mobility disabled people and we get about mainly through use of a wide variety of mobility aids, ranging from electrically powered pavement buggies, scooters, powerchairs and, in some cases, manually propelled wheelchairs. We organise rambles of varying difficulty from easy to challenging all over England and Wales, and, along with our volunteers, spouses and friends, each event provides recreation and challenge to suit every taste

The group has regular ramble programme and has covered over 1000 miles so far.   I think I will join this outfit; it sounds like fun yet has a more serious side- improving access to the countryside.

Gym

I have been happily working through my exercise routine in the Health Spa at the Bolton Abbey Devonshire Arms Hotel for about 2 years.  It has definitely been good for me, as there is a relaxed atmosphere and caring staff. I feel that I have been looked after and interest taken in me and my condition.  My routine is intended to help with posture and was set up by the instructor with advice of the specialist physio.  This recently has been augmented with stretch exercises which are very good.  Then out of the blue a month ago I was offered a place by my physio on a free 12 week NHS sponsored course at the local Council owned gym.   As I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I took the offer up. Now I am the proud owner of two gym membership card s and will continue to go to Bolton Abbey and build the course around that.  The gym this part of the Aireville leisure complex, and is packed full of kit.  It was daunting walking into a place with rows of treadmills, cycles, cross trainers and other equipment that I was not at all of familiar with.  Everybody looked deadly serious in there which was a bit worrying.  I met up with my specialist physio and the instructor to be introduced to the kit and to plan a routine intended to concentrate almost entirely on the muscles that straighten and improve my posture.  As we were going around Louise, the specialist physio, told the instructor I was strong and therefore didn’t  need muscle building exercises or aerobics.  I could see the disappointment on his face.  I think he thought he had got a gullible old fool to play with.  Anyway we will see what happens, as I do my first full routine.

People

My specialist physio Louise Cheshire is leaving on 21 October and is not going to another job.  She works part-time and has a family.  I will really miss her enthusiasm and positive support and knowledge of the disease.   No doubt the NHS in their wisdom in order to save money will not replace her.  I can't help thinking, what a waste of knowledge and experience. We must  get better at capturing people’s experience and knowledge and passing it on.

That’s it for now.