Help to get a mobility scooter?

missXvamp

Hello first I will say I unfortunately only got 10 points for pip mobility and I don't feel able to ask for a reconsideration risking losing what I already get now. 

I have looked absolutely everywhere and spent hours trying to find some help. I know there are grants but I'm scared to ask my occupational therapist for help. Only just today we spoke and she is seeing me one last time before she dismisses me.

I think I may have to ask for her help but worry she won't do it. Here's some information about myself and my current situation. 

I'm 36 and yes I am morbidly obese but actively losing weight. Despite losing over 40lbs in 8 months I still haven't gained back my mobility. My mobility ended up very limited because I have what I now know is osteoarthritis in my knee which just reached a agonising level of pain. Due to to my mental health I stopped going out and in doing so I lost what mobility i had. Where as I was able to walk to my docs or to the local shop.. Now I can't even make even quarter of the way and can walk maybe 40 metres before I need to stop and sit down. I can't stand for more than a few minutes and therefore I require help at home from thankfully my partner who doesn't live with me though so I'm left to struggle at times. I basically have no friends and no family support. When I do go out it's in a taxi and has to be a place where there isn't more than the walking I can handle and places to sit down. Basically because of this I hardly go anywhere. 

I don't know what help or advice I can get. I don't even know if I'd be seen as someone who deserves a mobility scooter because I kind of did this to myself due to mental health. Also I suppose I'm just at a loss so I don't know what else to do. 

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.  Bare in mind I have literally spent hours online looking for help. So I fear I've accessed every bit of info I can find anyways. 

Take care. 

Wibbles

You really do ought to appeal over PIP.
Why are you scared of appealing?
You can't lose what you don't already get 

roglin55

Facebook market place 

Albus_Scope

Hi there @missXvamp, a belated welcome to the community!

I just wanted to check in to see how you were getting on with your search and make sure you'd seen everyone's replies?  We're all here to support and help each other on our journeys, so don't be afraid to ask questions.  

Nashville

Hello miss xvamp.  Coincidentally I am trying to solve this muddle too for a friend.  She is in her fifties with similar mental health issues and mobility issues as you.  She doesn’t get the right pip allowance but doesn’t want to reapply or appeal as her current allowance is set for 5 years and the horror of the existing application affected her mental health very badly so the thought of reapplying cannot be contemplated.  

Thus buying second hand is the only option.  Her current scooter was second hand about 4 years ago and has just about given up the ghost.  Unfortunately saving is difficult as her pip allowance is now going towards energy and rent so there is nothing over.  We think she must use the food bank to save for a new second hand scooter plus applying for grants.  

We are using Facebook to see if anyone local has one to sell although a reconditioned one from a supplier will have some kind of guarantee.  Without a car getting to see these scooters is difficult too.  

Thinking of you.

MickH

I fail to understand why mobility scooters are so expensive, even second hand ones ?

Nashville

Agreed.  Does anyone know of a national not for profit group that reconditions and passes on mobility scooters.  All my efforts to find same have failed.  

MickH

I only know of motability, but you need the enhanced award for mobility from pip, or Aspire2mobility, but they are a finance/leasing company I believe

missXvamp

Gosh I didn't get notifications for replies until now. Unfortunately I've had no luck tbh guys. And yes I know I could attempt at getting the enhanced mobility pip but I haven't got it in me to try right now. It is a risk because I could easily lose both standard rates that I currently get. At the moment I've been trying get out more often although it's really hard. I walk from bench to bench or if no seating near each other I have a portable stool I use. My knee is getting worse despite weight loss. Now along with extreme pain Its clicking and moving it feels like. It creeps me out. I see physio next week. He seemed really eager to write to my doctor's and getting them to refer me for a scan can't remember name of scan. The kind that shows up any tissue and muscle problems. Anyway just got to keep plodding on for now. Thanks all x

roglin55

I did physio for my back for 6 months he discharged me as said nothing more he can do have to keep trying to do exercises got an appointment  at my doctors next week see what else can be done. Surgery called me this morning to try cancel my appointment  she said oh doctor said to try physio. I'm thinking  WHAT  so my doctor appears to not know  his surgery refered me for physio  a year last August. I waited 5 months to start then just ended last August. And that's the doctor who dwp wrote to for extra info and in my descion letter for pip it said id never got referrals  for thesis os hospital I'd also had a scan done on my back. I'm at a loss 

roglin55

Suppose to read physio

missXvamp

Your definitely being messed around Hun that's awful. I really hope things get sorted I do. My doctor's have been useless. I have no faith in them at all. Good luck Hun.

Albus_Scope

Nashville said:

Agreed.  Does anyone know of a national not for profit group that reconditions and passes on mobility scooters.  All my efforts to find same have failed.  

I only know of Mobility Giant.  I cant vouch for quality or anything though.  It's something I've been meaning to look into for a while now.  If I find anything useful, I'll make sure to let y'all know.  

roglin55

Well that's my reconsideration letter in ive just had a text to say they've got it and it will be up to 8 weeks till I hear back  not holding out any hope  but you never know. Has anyone else had good news hope so if not those waiting I hope things go  your way 

Wibbles

Nashville said:

Agreed.  Does anyone know of a national not for profit group that reconditions and passes on mobility scooters.  All my efforts to find same have failed.  

Sunshine scooters claims to do this - although they are NOT a charity and as such do make a profit

But possibly worth investigating ?

https://sunshinescooters.co.uk/

Nashville

Many thanks Wibbles.  Just looked Sunshine up.  Cheapest £790 and finance terms at 26%.  Definitely not a charity.  However, on the upside, nationwide delivery and one year guarantee. Mobility Giant very similar but no finance and a bit cheaper.  

Many thanks to all of you out there who are helping me. I wonder why there isn’t a charity reconditioning scooters?

Long term rental would be another option.