Hello everyone, thought I'd catch up and share a problem with you. It's 4 weeks since I took the plunge and moved into a council sheltered housing flat, in a big town 30 miles from where I was. I can't walk far without my mobility scooter and I assumed I'd be allowed to keep it in my flat. On the day I viewed it, I measured door widths etc in front of the housing officer and said stuff like "that's good it'll easily fit in the lift, and in the flat door". Only after I'd signed everything, and was actually out in the car park, did the Warden come after us and say No you can't keep a scooter in your flat, they have to be outside in storage pods. I hoped I could cope with that, but now that I'm actually living it, I'm having serious doubts because of the distance I have to walk just to get down to where the scooter is. It's making my feet much worse, and I've tried everything- complained to the council, pleaded with them - no help. They say it's fire regulations and they won't budge. No scooters inside buildings. I feel I've made a huge mistake, and there's nothing I can do about it. I need my scooter close by, it's not a choice it's a necessity! I can't change the condition of my feet, or the pain I get on walking. Please, does anyone have any thoughts/ideas/words of comfort? The whole thing is affecting me badly. Thanks guys.
Mobility scooter blues: Hello everyone, thought I'd... - NRAS
Mobility scooter blues
Have you thought about getting a small wheelchair to use to get in the lift and to where you keep your scooter? It could fold up and be out of the way when in your flat.
Sorry that wouldn't work due to the layout of this place. Even after I do reach my scooter, there are two huge metal gates which are kept chained up and padlocked - and I have to negotiate that too , it's like breaking out of a prison....😖
🙁
That’s mighty decent of you. Lol. A share of your big lottery win but no it’s a tale of mobility nightmare. Lol only kidding, I think.
Pardon? I don't understand what you just said.
Can you talk to occupational therapy about possible solutions?
They will have previous experience and the knowledge to help.
I don't think there is a solution, it seems to vary from council to council, but mine have already said they're not going to change their rules for me. It just seems incredible that supported accommodation should actually be making things WORSE for disabled people!
Would it be possible to get a fold away rollator to walk to the place where you keep your scooter? Or would that cause the same problem as a wheelchair?
That’s totally unfair of them and shows how much they don’t give a flying fig, I’ve had a run in with mine and they got down the banks of me, didn’t matter though they didn’t listen. Lol.
I really hope things get sorted out very soon x
Hi if u attend rheumatology get ur consultant or hospital social worker to write a letter stating how ur condition affects u and u cant walk far .my consultant and sw wrote to council re my conditions. I'm getting a purpose built flat has to have wider doors etc for wheelchair as long term prognosis is I will be in wheelchair it's ready in may .so would maybe help u or get u rehoused so.e were more suitable amy
Thanks Amy, I hope your flat is good, and gives you what you need. x
Thankyou
I think you need to ask about changing your flat. Have you asked if there are other blocks that have a better layout?
You're probably right, just can't believe I might have to move AGAIN 😬
Ask to move to more suitable living space, as its a fire hazrd it seems cut and dried so nothing the Council as landlord can do. If there was fire and your trapped all hell would break loose on them so really whilst is annoying its probably justifable. But as they knew you wanted to take it in you might have good grounds to say been mislead and therefore need an urgent more to a ground floor place with direct access outside so as not to impeed anyone tryng t escape from burning building. If this is sheltered housing it can't be a new issue so presumably was on the conditions of tenancy ? Strange thing is usually lifts get turned off or should not be used in a fire so how do they think you were going to get out with limited mobility
In my mums sheltered accommodation they are told not to leave their flats in the event of a fire as the fire doors are supposed to stop the fire getting to them long enough for them to be rescued or the fire put out. Of course it doesn’t work out like that as as soon as the alarms go off everyone is out of their doors seeing who’s set it off 😂
That happened my first night here! Two fire engines, I was panicking big-time! Yes they say stay in your flat, but after Grenfell who in their right mind would just sit in their flat?? Fortunately it was only a smoke detector going off.
Yes exactly, most people would try to get out if they could.
Yeah I suppose it's the only sensible thing to do ......thanks.
Thanks everyone, looks like I may have to think the unthinkable.....another house move. Gulp.....my daughter and son in law are visiting from USA in 5 weeks time, so looking forward to having someone I can talk it all over with.
I’m shocked at the treatment you are receiving could you ask the housing association? Or the local social services disability section
Thanks for suggestions, I may ask for OT help. But it falls into the "accept what you can't change" category. This council are never ever going to allow scooters inside buildings in their sheltered housing scheme's. If I was just in an ordinary rented house, not sheltered, then I could pretty much do what I want with my scooter! Crazy. And it makes you wonder what will happen in the future, with more and more elderly people owning scooters.
Hi
I have similar issue but fortunately am able to keep mine in my flat. I had to fight for it as detailed below. It is a big class3 all terrain one as well.
As a suggestion I recommend getting in touch with your local councillor and/or your local MP. It's always amused me how " jobs worth" wardens and actual council officers who quote so called health and safety over keeping mobility scooters indoors etc. quickly back down or disappear when someone with " clout " takes up your plight. Try it you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
P.s. if mobility scooters are such a fire risk indoors then why has there been no such warnings to all mobility scooter owners. Modern mobility scooters charge from a trickle charger and when fully charged do not carry on charging. They are designed to be left continuously attached to charger and mains electricity to keep batteries in optimum health. Sorry about rant but with local elections forthcoming as well now is the best time to grab hold of a councillor because they want your vote.
Another tip. Ring your local paper and ask them if they are interested in a disabled issue. Most local hacks would jump at chance to do some investigative journalism rather than covering births/ marriage/death or new local supermarket opening stories.
Best of luck
Regards
Thanks for your reply, and advice. Funnily enough I was thinking about doing just what you said, need to find out who my councillor is. Well done you for fighting and winning!
Always. We might be disabled but nothing wrong with our brains/minds. That said no one realises the hurt pain and mental distress these situations cause us.
Regards
Forget your councillor, go straight to your MP (albeit most are in London fannying around with Brexit) and put in a complaint you were housed under false pretences. Absolutely ridiculous those needing sheltered accommodation can’t take the only means of mobility they have, into the property they live. So much red tape these days making life impossible. Yes do as BadboyP and Amy65 advise, and don’t give up ... keep rattling everyone’s cages, the more of a “pest” you are the quicker they are to get you off their workload. You won’t be the only person in this situation & it’s unforgivable that you have to go through this. Good luck x
Thanks Blue1111, I just might do that. x
Another thought. No powered scooters in buildings. What about powered wheelchairs necessary for people to move. If they are allowed then scooters should be allowed. Same technology. That to my mind is discriminatory.
Sorry got a bee in my bonnet now lol.
Exactly!!! Wow you've given me fresh hope! Thanks again.
No problem go get them !!
Small powered wheelchair should solve your problem and they cant refuse you having it in flat, search somewhere like ebay and you should find a good used one for under £500 ish.
What about a wheelchair you can use to get to the scooter?
A possibility if all else fails. But I've had a lot of expense in moving house and couldn't afford one at the moment. Thanks anyway.
I thought you said this wouldn’t work to me as you couldn’t get in the gates to your scooter. Glad it’s now a possibility and I hope you get sorted soon.
Sorry, I wasn't being awkward, it still wouldn't be easy to make a wheelchair work here, but hard to explain unless people see the layout. But have to consider everything.
Not a problem scotslass, I’m just glad that it might work for you 😊
Occupational therapy & thoughts of the wheelchair your first course of action. O. T. can be v. g. talk it over with them. If your scooter would fit in the flat, I don't quite understand why a much-smaller wheelchair wouldn't work... Good luck.
Hi
Curious as to how you are and if you managed to resolve your mobility problems. Any chance of an update. Another success will ,I'm sure, lift people's spirits who feel stuck in similar situations as yourself and show that disabled we may be but we are still able to stand up for ourselves.
I feel that people who make these rules should remember that they should treat people how they would want to be treated themselves!!.
Best wishes
Hi, thanks for your interest. I've written to my MSP, I know him quite well and he is that rare specimen - one of the ones who DO actually care. He helped me 3 years ago when I had all the hassle with PIP. I'm still not optimistic that the Council will listen to him, but.....watch this space. In the meantime I'm just keeping on keeping on!
Again, thanks for remembering me!
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