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Disabled child and baby

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alisonja18 Mon 01-Sept-14 13:02:01

my daughter has a son of 7 years old with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He is not in a wheelchair full time, but needs one when he gets tired. On the days his brother, aged 9 wants to cycle to school (a distance of just short of half a mile), James cannot make the whole distance there, and certainly not back in the afternoon when he is tired. At the minute this is fine as mum can push James in his wheelchair, BUT a new baby is expected in the new year, and mum certainly cannot push a wheelchair and a buggy. Nor could she use a sling once new baby gets heavier and she is unwilling to drive the boys to school every day, ruining Ethan's cycle rides (and her effort at keeping fit!!).
Anyone out there had similar situations, or does anyone have a brilliant idea?
Is there a product which we don't know about? All ideas gratefully received - and thanks in anticipation.

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Galen Mon 01-Sept-14 13:38:15

You can get motorised wheelchairs for children.

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kittylester Mon 01-Sept-14 13:41:04

Would a buggy board work? I realise they are generally for toddlers but maybe he could ride when he is tired and walk when he isn't. That's if he isn't too heavy. It would lepg Mum's fitness!

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ninathenana Mon 01-Sept-14 13:50:20

www.activateforkids.co.uk

There is a buggy that takes up to a 11yr old with a seat behind for younger sibling

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ninathenana Mon 01-Sept-14 13:52:27

The model is called Terix

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vampirequeen Mon 01-Sept-14 13:53:20

There are bicycles/tricycles she could get that would carry your GS and the baby. They can be a bit expensive but there are some on ebay so it's worth checking on there too.

www.kidsandfamilycycles.co.uk/products_kids_and_family_cycles.html

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Iam64 Mon 01-Sept-14 17:57:13

Galen, and any sw up to date with financial support or loan of such a buggy or motorised wheelchair?

This thread is one of the reasons Gransnet is good. smile

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Galen Mon 01-Sept-14 18:02:36

DLA is designed for this. He must be unable to walk or virtually unable to walk. This means he cannot regularly walk more than about 50yds repeatedly and reliably.without severe discomfort. The gait and speed are also taken into consideration.
I presume he has access to Physio, they or an OT might be able to help

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Galen Mon 01-Sept-14 18:03:28

Oh! Or his GP could possibly prescribe one, I'm not au fait with modern rules and regs

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Iam64 Mon 01-Sept-14 18:46:37

Galen, is DLA the new PIP?

Alsonja18, the Disability Rights Group may be helpful. The other option is to contact the sw team for children with disabilities (sorry, the name may have changed) and ask for advice.

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Galen Mon 01-Sept-14 19:49:12

It's PIP for people below 65 and over 16.
It remains DLA for under 16s
Over 65s it's AA+

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Galen Mon 01-Sept-14 19:49:36

Sorry AA65+

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Iam64 Tue 02-Sept-14 08:30:21

thanks

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alisonja18 Fri 05-Sept-14 14:54:27

Thank you so much everyone for all of your helpful comments. I certainly have enough to show my daughter this weekend! I have downloaded and printed the brochure for the Terix buggy and I am most impressed with this! When my daughter asked the OT about her 'problem', she was told that she could have (at a cost) a double version of the McLaren 'disabililty' buggy she currently has for James, along with inserts to hold the baby in position. An answer certainly, but not exactly ideal!

We have looked at buggy boards but although James is not heavy, he is 7 and tall for his age so they do not appear safe, and his legs are too long for the seated ones.

I did not expect all this help - hurrah for the Gransnetters - and thank you again!!

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