Paying for my own walking frame

GothOnWheels

I have discovered my current walking frame isn't right (it's a Rollator walker) and have been told that i need a Posterior Posture Walker (some know it as a spider frame, the type that is often used for CP). Unfortunately i have also been told that i will have to pay for it myself, which is £800-£900 that i don't have.

Has anybody had any success with finding grants for this kind of stuff (Google is being increadibly unhelpful), or with CrowdFunding/GoFundMe? the problem with using those sites is that i can't even set anything up until my apointment with the company i've found and they've had me test one and they confirm they'll deal with me.

I'm struggling a bit with all of this

Thanks in advance x

Jean_OT

Hi @GothOnWheels

Assuming that you have a letter of support from a professional (normally an OT), which states that you need the item for reasons of disability and that it can't be obtained from statutory sources, then you may well be successful getting some funding from charitable sources.

There is a grant search tool on the Scope website which may assist you in identifying potential funders: https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/search-grants

Also crowdfunding does work for some people but often it is most useful when the person already has an extensive social media network or what they are raising money for really grips the public's interest so it goes viral 

Best Wishes
Jean

Richard_Scope

Hi @GothOnWheels
Have you tried eBay? I have purchased equipment from there before. Also, I would recommend contacting mobility equipment companies to ask if they have any ex-showroom models available at a discount.

Chloe_Alumni

I have also found that companies offer a payment scheme. This means you can be so much a month rather than all in one go, meaning it is more manageable. I would definitely check out grants or eBay first though! 

Jean_OT

Hi @GothOnWheels
People have made some great suggestions. Hope you manage to obtain the kit you need at a price you can afford. A slight note of caution when buying pre-used equipment off ebay, and similar. Do, if you can, get a professional (such as an OT or a Physio) take a look at it to make sure that it is adjusted to your needs. I've seen several examples of people using mobility equipment that hasn't been correctly fitted to them, and/or they are using it incorrectly. This has resulted in worsening of posture or walking gait and/or increased risk of falls.  

Best Wishes

Jean

GothOnWheels

Thank you for your helpful suggestions so far.

Unfortunately i was only put up for 5 sessions with a physio, i thought it was supposed to be to get me out of the chair but it seems that it was just to get some rudementary progress before signing me off.

This seems to be why i can't get anything through the NHS as well which feels like a kick in the gut, the company i've found only just dealt with me because of that, which is why they're doing a meeting with a test through.

I'll ask them about ex-Showroom stuff and payment plans, and might even have to get a quote from them and try to find one of the same thing cheaper elsewhere like on Ebay (it's where we're looking for a new lighter weight wheelchair as well)

Thank you all xx