General Chat

see below

My dad phoned me this morning, and gave me his pride and joy........ his car. He feels that he can no longer drive as he dosnt feel safe, driving. I have promised him that anywhere he needs to go ie: hospital appointments and visits to the doc's just to phone me and I will take him. We are going to the local disability place tomorrow, to have a look at these electric scooter things so that he can at least go out, and he wont have completly lost his independence. Its really lovely of him to give me his very nice almera but I do feel really strange having it off him, and very sad for him as well.

They are FANTASTIC. My friend next door has one, she is never in. AND she is paralized down one side........shes a wonder. If you want to buy your dad one, go to a reputable disability distributor, such as 'KEEP ABLE' or any disability shop. They will bring it out for you to test and, show you how to use it. They are about £2000 or more. I would have one myself if I thought I would use it, but I feel that I would still want to go out in the car with 'no1 Son'. Deanna

margaret, how brave and sensible of your Dad to admit he doesn't feel safe driving. I am sure he knows how you will appreciate and look after his car, but i can understand how you feel. It is difficult when our lives go into role reversal. Once you depended on your dad and now he will depend on you. Ann glos

Margaret....That's a nice thing to read..as a Scheme manager in Sheltered Housing I have seen this happen to the older man....it's a tough decision for your dad...you know how men cherish their pride...take pleasure in knowing that he has you to give it to..if he didn't, he would have lost it completley & that would have hurt him more..!!..as for the electric scooters....well...our tenant's love them...I think they should come with a block of 10 lessons tho..!!!...suggest to your dad to talk to his GP or Social worker...they will point him in the best direction..they can be expensive but you can hire them...good Luck & enjoy your dad's gift...Im sure you deserve it..xx

What a sensible dad.

Hi Margaret It's a very sensible person who can admit to not feeling quite right when they drive, your dad is probably a better driver than most youngsters but my dad when he was in that position and gave up said he was fed up with competing with the idiots on the road--my dad was a n excellent driver and never had an accident but I was so glad when he decided to stop, he would never contemplate an electronic scooter though, he had a manual wheelchair, unfortunatly he died last year Anyway, give me a clue and I will watch out for you on the roads, enjoy the freedom of the car and give your dad the pleasure of seeing you drive it Love Janet

My father in Law has Motor Neuron (spell?) and has just been getting one of these ....he was helped with the cost by the British Legion Charity..they and Social Services gave him a donation towards the cost and he paid the remainder...its well worth trying to see if you qualify for this help/.. Anita xx

Margaret what a sensible man your dad must be to admit he doesnt feel safe on the road I do think that if he has an electric wheel chair he can still be a little independent and mobile . enjoy your self in your new car and good luck to your dad Howardxx

He knows the car's going to a good home, Margaret. xx

Those motorised scooter thingys are marvellous, but please please people - learn to drive them LOL There are quite a lot in Winchester - not only privately owned, but they can be borrowed from the 'Shopmobility' scheme. It can be very dangerous for the innocent shopper when two novices are trying to manouvre in a rather small supermarket - and I think there should be a speed limit on pavements and public grounds. Saw a lady yesterday haring across the green in fromt of the Cathedral, people jumping in all directions!!! Having said that - sod the pension - I'm saving up for one!! maggie

What a great dad. Pat