Hi, my name is Maurice123!

Maurice123

I have lost part of my right leg otherwise I am fine. My only real disappointment is not being able to drive. Otherwise I can do everything from cooking to washing myself. I have organised all my necessary requirements from having a gardener, a lady to iron, clean the house, and help me in disposing of unwanted goods. I have people to shop for me and even walk my little terrier. However I do miss company and am hoping to find people to chat to online. I enjoy talking cooking, politics, current economic problems, Scottish paintings and general antiques.
However I am open to virtually any subject that others are comfortable with.

Ross_Alumni

Hello @Maurice123

Welcome to the community, I hope you are well today.

Thanks for telling us about yourself, it's great that you appear very organised and have a supportive network around you, and you have a lot of interests there  

In terms of your interest in cooking, what is your signature dish?

 

This is a very supportive and welcoming site to be a part of so I’m hopeful that you’ll find it to be a positive outlet. Feel free to have a look around and get involved wherever you’d like 😊 I have included below a few of the pages I’d recommend having a look through to get used to things:

• The virtual coffee lounge which is one of our categories, in which we play games and talk about general subjects such as hobbies and interests
• The recent discussions page, which shows an overview of everything happening across the community
• The categories page, which shows a full list of discussion groups on the community

If you have any questions at all then don’t hesitate to ask.

Alex_Alumni

A warm welcome from me too @Maurice123 I hope you enjoy spending time on the community

Have you ever been able to drive previously to losing your right leg? There some adaptions that might help with driving, such as hand controls or a left foot accelerator, but I know that owing to various costs this isn't always easy to sort out.

Are you entitled any of the following benefits? If so, you could look into leasing a Motability car with adaptions to suit you:

• Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP)
  

• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA)
  

• Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
  

• Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
  

• War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
  

• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

It's great to hear a bit about you, what prompted your interest in Scottish paintings?  

I hope you find the community a supportive place, so please do say if you feel we can help with anything.

Alex

SueHeath

Good afternoon @Maurice123 Welcome to our great group.
You have certainly come to the right forum we have lots going on.
When you get the chance have a look around the site any problems just ask.
I look forward to seeing you around the site.

Maurice123

Thank you Alex and Sue. As I said the only thing I really feel I have lost is the ability to drive. I have looked into a prosthetic leg but in truth do not fancy it
I can swivel and turn around my bungalow quite happily and would a prosthetic leg work for me? I have heard horror stories about people with them trying to get about.
Thank for the suggestions Alex. I am not entitled to any benefits. Those that come with a leased car will only apply if I choose that route. At present I am reluctant to give up my car, and would favour trying to find somebody to drive it for me if possible. That seems a daunting task but who knows?
My interest in Scottish paintings particularly the colourists at the beginning of the 20thC was because my late uncle collected them and eventually left them to the Huntarian museum in Glasgow. I still possess a drawing by
J.D. Ferguson which I purchased myself.  He also was a big collector of Charles R.ennie Mackintosh.
I think you have heard enough about me, what interests and disabilities have everybody else?  Finally I enjoy watching horseracing on the television. I have no interest in betting but I love steeplechasing.
Cheers
Maurice

Alex_Alumni

Perhaps a prosthetic leg is something to discuss with your GP or specialists, although some of our members may have experience of using prothesis themselves.

If you did find someone to drive you, they would need to be insured to drive your car obviously, so that's something to bear in mind when weighing up options.

It's funny how much our families interests impact us isn't it?  

I have cerebral palsy, and enjoy watching tennis, rugby, the Olympics, more or less most sports really. That's my mum's influence, as it would be on TV all the time growing up.

Maurice123

Thank you Teddy Bear and Alex for your advice. I am sorry Alex that you have cerebral palsy. However there must be many things you can do. Are you encouraged by a care group? I see that it is possible to drive. Can you? If only my problem had been my left leg, I would have been able to drive with my right. Happy thoughts but irrelevant as it was my right leg. I like some sports but not all. I do not enjoy football but enjoy the scores and positions in the league tables. I vaguely support Sunderland. I once visited their old stadium but have attended a live match. I did watch them play Leeds in 1972 in the cup final and that was a great day for them. Do you have a favourite sport Alex? My nearest association with sport now is that I play some chess.

Alex_Alumni

There's absolutely no need to be sorry, I don't see it as an issue If there's anything to be sorry for it's society's attitude around disability and impairment, not the condition itself. Admittedly, like any impairment there are good and bad days, but it's an important and positive part of who I am.

Cerebral Palsy is really quite variable, I'd say it's different in each individual, but if you'd like to learn more, I can tag our CP information officer @Richard_Scope who is happy to chat, or visit our Cerebral Palsy category on the forum.

My family supports me with care needs at the moment, and I employed my own PA's while at university, and working away from home.

I've been driving since 2016, although it's not my favourite thing to do I use a left foot accelerator and steering ball to help turn the wheel more easily. I think it might be worth looking into different adaptions yourself, as you might find one that suits you, but it's up to you, of course!

Watching live sport is often much more exciting than watching on TV, I find you don't really understand that until you've experienced it. My favourite sport to watch is Tennis, and I visit Wimbledon when I'm lucky enough to grab tickets. 

I think Chess is something I've wanted to be good at, but didn't have the patience to learn the rules and strategies for it to stick   

Maurice123

Hi Alex,
I am delighted that you have mastered so much and to a large extent left any thoughts of having a problem behind. I have never known anybody with cerebral palsy, so please forgive my clumsy attitude to it.
I have been to Wimbledon a few times but not for a few years now. I quite like rugby union and have been to a few matches. I believe that you will  take on anything and become good at it. You have a very positive attitude.
Thanks for your advice re Richard but initially I will check out your cerebral palsy section first. I learnt chess at school and onve I did I decided to be the best I could be. I was quite successful and once was the second best schoolboy in Ireland. Even now it amuses my friends to try and beat me. I really must stop drinking beer and playing at the same time. I think it is my way of handicapping myself. I do get beaten.
I found your driving suggestions intriguing. I have been told that Lexus do not make a kit that would enable a garage to move pedals but I will try the company to see if they can help.

janer1967

Hi there 

I'm sorry to hear about your situation 

I am also an amputee and gave tried  prosthetic leg but I had to stop using it as shortly after I lost the sight in one eye and partial loss in other 

If you haven't already I would consider claiming pip I was awarded enhanced for both daily living and mobility 

This would then entitle you to a car on motability which can be adapted to use hand controls instead of pedals 

I tried one b4 my sight loss 

Happy to discuss anything you want to know 

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for your kind words @Maurice123, there were times I felt differently growing up, but learning about the Social Model of Disability helped change my own perspective. And don't worry, I'm sure I'm pretty clumsy when I talk about things I'm not familiar with, but until we know more all we can do is ask questions I'm pleased you were keen enough to ask.

Wow, that's pretty impressive work with playing Chess, and it's only fair to help your opponents out once in a while!

Yes I would definitely try the company, it would be frustrating if that were the case, so it's worth investigating. I'm also pleased to see that @janer1967 has shared her experiences with you, in many ways the community is about supporting each other, so please do ask if you need anything.
 

Maurice123

Dear Janner
Thank you for your suggestion. I am not rich but I have enough money to survive. So for the time being I will not investigate it. However all ideas are welcome

Maurice123

Hi Alex
you must be exhausted with me. We seem to have covered a lot of topics today I would love to know more about you. Perhaps tomorrow?

Sandy_123

Hi @Maurice123 a welcome from me too. I've never played chess, looks complicated, used to love draughts tho.
  I think janes suggestion of a hand controlled car would solve your issue with not being able to drive at the moment. 

janer1967

Hi again 

You could have your current car adapted to hand controls to allow you to drive 

Maurice123

Hi Sandy and Janer
Thank you for your ideas. I will look into the idea of hand controls. After all Formula 1 drivers seem to use them.
Cheers
Maurice

Maurice123

Morning All,
Not a good start. I have been promised a ramp from my front door to enable me to go out and enjoy my garden. This started over two months ago. On Tuesday the company confirmed it would happen to-day Thursday. Guess what? Call at 8.15am. Technician called in sick. SICK. I am sure the fact that it is a super sunny day has nothing to do with it, but then I am an understanding guy. This is the FOURTH time it has been postponed. Roll on Friday week for the next episode!!

janer1967

How frustrating for you hopefully it gets done while you can enjoy the weather 

Jo_2022

Hi @Maurice123! 👋 I am sorry to hear about your leg amputation. It is understandable to miss driving; I remember when I passed my driving test in 2010 I felt independent, and I would find it disappointing if I had to give it up.

It is lovely to have you join us on the community, and thank you for introducing yourself! 😊

We are here for you to give you company, and feel free to join in any conversations you find interesting.

Yes, that must be so frustrating having the OT equipment delivery delayed. I hope you are well today?

Maurice123

Hi Jo,
Good to hear from you. When you say you passed your test in 2010 have you since suffered a disability or are you fully fit? What interests do you have?

SueHeath

Hi @Maurice123 i told you you've come to the right place to chat with people.
Have you had chance to look around the site yet.