If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Receiving too many notifications? Adjust your notification settings.
What to do if stranded?

Hi,
Im a 26 year old physically disabled female. Recently my mobility scooter broke and I was stranded whilst in a graveyard. Luckily my parents were there and we managed to get back to the car with physical intervention from my dad.
It got me thinking, what would have happened if I was alone in that situation? I can't walk, so would quite literally be stuck and stranded until someone could come and rescue me with a spare wheelchair.
Would I be allowed to ring emergency services if my family/friends couldn't come and rescue me for say 24 hours? If not, what should I do in that situation if there was nobody around for assistance? Sit in a graveyard or park etc with no food or water for days on end?
I thought about ringing a Taxi, but they wouldn't have a spare wheelchair to put me in, to be able to push me to their Taxi.
It makes me frightened to go out alone to know that at any minute my wheelchair could break and I could get stranded, with no way of getting home. I realise wheelchair failures are unlikely, but it has happened to me twice in the last 2 months. Yes I will get a new wheelchair, but I really need to have a backup plan incase there is nobody around for assistance.
What would you do? Would I be allowed to ring say the fire brigade if it is getting late at night and dangerous to be out alone whilst stranded in a broken wheelchair?
Thanks
H
Im a 26 year old physically disabled female. Recently my mobility scooter broke and I was stranded whilst in a graveyard. Luckily my parents were there and we managed to get back to the car with physical intervention from my dad.
It got me thinking, what would have happened if I was alone in that situation? I can't walk, so would quite literally be stuck and stranded until someone could come and rescue me with a spare wheelchair.
Would I be allowed to ring emergency services if my family/friends couldn't come and rescue me for say 24 hours? If not, what should I do in that situation if there was nobody around for assistance? Sit in a graveyard or park etc with no food or water for days on end?
I thought about ringing a Taxi, but they wouldn't have a spare wheelchair to put me in, to be able to push me to their Taxi.
It makes me frightened to go out alone to know that at any minute my wheelchair could break and I could get stranded, with no way of getting home. I realise wheelchair failures are unlikely, but it has happened to me twice in the last 2 months. Yes I will get a new wheelchair, but I really need to have a backup plan incase there is nobody around for assistance.
What would you do? Would I be allowed to ring say the fire brigade if it is getting late at night and dangerous to be out alone whilst stranded in a broken wheelchair?
Thanks

H
Replies
dont hesitate...just call and ask for FIRE RESCUE., they wont refuse and will be very delighted to help you.....
Just make sure your mobile phone is charged and you're able to tell them your location.
Please continue to have fun and smile.....:):):)
..
I think that in some areas there are emergency breakdown services similar to the AA.
As a vunerable person I would suggest either ring the police 101 or 111 NHS service
CR
Hi @hjj777
You are far from being the only person that feels anxious at the prospect of being stranded by a mobility scooter break down.
Getting appropriate breakdown cover might help you to feel move confident about being out and about again.
Here is an article that discusses some of the issues with breakdown cover that you might want to consider:
http://www.disabledtraveladvice.co.uk/what-do-if-you-breakdown-your-mobility-scooter.html
Maybe it would be helpful if other community members could post personal recommendations about breakdown cover companies that they have used and been pleased with?
Best Wishes
Jean
https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist