Does my 3 year old need a wheelchair???

kiera1985

my son has suspected Cerebral Palsy and is awaiting MRI for confirmation... he is almost 3 years old and can only manage a few yards before wanting a carry. He is just too heavy and we are currently taking his push chair every where but he’s getting to big for it... my question is will he be entitled to a wheelchair now or do I need to buy different peaks?? 
Thank you in advance x

Adrian_Scope

Hi @kiera1985, do you have a date for the MRI yet?
It can be really difficult to find suitable pushchairs once you hit 3 can't it? My eldest daughter had mobility difficulties as a young child and required a pushchair for longer than most of her peers and I remember we had great difficulty finding one suitable as she was also quite tall. 

I'm going to tag in our cerebral palsy information officer @Richard_Scope as he might know better about whether you can get a wheelchair before diagnosis and might have some other information for you too. 

April2018mom

Hello @kiera1985

My son also has mobility difficulties, he is almost 3 as well. I suggest ringing NHS wheelchair services on Monday to find out for sure. My advice is to have a list of questions to ask and also try out wheelchairs as well. My son has a manual wheelchair as he has spina bifida but since your child has CP, a powered wheelchair might be more appropriate for his needs- 
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/care-services-equipment-and-care-homes/walking-aids-wheelchairs-and-mobility-scooters/

Richard_Scope

Hi @kiera1985
Good to talk to you. Pushchairs for older children can be expensive and the right one can be difficult to find as @Adrian_Scope has mentioned. The first thing I would do is speak with your GP or Paediatrician and ask for a referral to your local Wheelchair Services. This is where your son's needs will be assessed. Typically children approaching school age will normally be provided with an age-appropriate wheelchair. For those children under 36 months of age where the child cannot sit unsupported or has the potential to develop a postural deformity, a specialist piece of equipment will be provided. The NHS standard is to provide a wheelchair for a child within 18 weeks. 

I hope that helps?

kiera1985

Thank you all... I will check with physio next week and see what they say ...
thank you so much 

emmarenshaw

Hello @kiera1985 welcome to the community. I’m Emma, one of the Community Champions. I have CP myself, please keep us posted with how you are getting on. 

Kate_Scope

Hey Kiera, my name is Kate and I have a beautiful and wonderful daughter who is 18 and a full-time wheelchair user. 
OT and Physio are the people that referred to wheelchair services for me, she had her first wheelchair at 4 (manual) for when she started school, before that it was just a normal buggy. 
the wheelchair services will asses and decide if they feel he needs a buggy at his age, i know friends have lent them from wheelchair services previously just for interim periods until they have a wheelchair

Adrian_Scope

Best of luck with the physio this week @kiera1985.