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Health Care

Mybility has changed my life for good!

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Excuse the building work that was going on in these pictures but this is my Beast The Four XDL- I’ve called her JacknJill cause she is going to get me safely up n down to where I need to be.

How can you describe to anyone what it’s like to be able to access places people without disability can access?  What does it feel like being the only one of the group who has to detour to the next dropped kerb, whilst your friends cross over at the edge of the road and either wait for you to catch up, or you push like mad to get back into the conversation? Mybility

Have you ever been asked to go out for the day but suddenly discovered that there are no paths in the walk that you are taking, so the day out is curtailed or everyone else is on the beach but your wheelchair is stuck in the sand?  Mybility

Well I’ve found a new way of life with an all terrain wheelchair that doesn’t damage carpets in the house. It deals with a 6 inch kerb really easily, can access a pub with a step and a sharp turn – so I was able to join my family in a Pre-Wedding meal at a pub with no ramp – My I wished someone had videoed me doing that!    Mybility

It’s crash tested, so safe in a car with tie downs, it is able to “climb” up a wall if the corridor is a bit narrow, yes I’ve done that a number of times. It travels on uneven ground, over tree roots, in the grass. It has 5 years of parts included in the price and the frame is guaranteed for 10 years. It travels through ‘A’ bar gates which prevent motor bikes going through. I’ve already done the Wolds Way from Humber Bridge to North Ferriby and return without my battery running out.  In fact I can go to work and at the end of the day still take Alucia out on  a good hour’s walk and the battery level is still good if you look at Mybility you can see that over a period of 4 days they did the Pennine Way, how good is that.  The batteries are in the box on the back so are above the chair not underneath.

I’ve seen the videos of the kids playing in the snow and on the beach and guess what in a few weeks I will be on the sandy beach with my Assistance Dog Alucia, I can’t wait and neither can she as it has been left to others to take her to the water’s edge    Mybility

It stands me up, it lies me out so that when I have an infusion I can stay in my chair without having to transfer to a hospital bed.  It can help me reach things on the higher shelves when out shopping, while Alucia can get the items from the bottom shelves.   Mybility

I can go to work because I can cross thresholds, I don’t get stuck on gravel with my wheels going whiiiiiiirrrrrr as they dig deeper into the base of the gravel.

Alucia and I have been learning Agility in doors as its too wet outside, but she’s getting quite good and I am looking forward to teaching her new skills when we join the intermediate class out doors in June

Here we are having some training Agility class

I am, now, more than able. I researched what would be best for me and with the assistance of Access to Work, Savings and my Personal Health Budget I have a Wheelchair that is helping me live a life of Ability. Chris delivered my wheelchair to my house, and spent time making sure it fitted me, then it was outside and learn the basics.  The 4 wheel drive is very different from midwheel and rear wheel drive chairs there is so much more control.  Then it was learn the positions for climbing up kerbs and going down kerbs, the weight of the machine has to be in the right place to give the best stability.  We charged up the road in a semi standing position, over the rough grass as well as over well repaired tarmac.  I learned more in that 2 hours by being taught by someone who actually knows and uses the chair.  There is support when you need help.  I got my chair stuck in my van 2 days after getting it, but Chris  was there for me. I phoned up and in a very supportive manner, he calmed me down and then he talked me into getting my wheelchair out of my van.  You see Mybility are users of this wheelchair and they have the knowledge of what is a problem, they are a phone cal, email or a text away.  I didn’t need to call out the RAC or call a shop to be informed to bring said van and chair to them so they could lift it out.  It’s team work and I am proud to be an owner of an amazing chair through an amazing company Mybility

Benefits: where to get the information

Benefits in the UK change according to where you live.  There are different rules for people living in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  It is best for you to check if there is any support for you to apply for.

Check out the Citizens Advice

 

Personal Health Budgets are for Who?

About personal health budgets

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Personal health budgets are being introduced by the NHS to help people manage their care in a way that suits them. They have been piloted in a number of places across England and since October 2014, adults receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare and children in receipt of continuing care have had a right to have a personal health budget.

What is a personal health budget?

A personal health budget is an amount of money to support your identified health and wellbeing needs, planned and agreed between you and your local NHS team. The aim is to give people with long-term conditions and disabilities greater choice and control over the healthcare and support they receive.

Personal health budgets work in a similar way to the personal budgets that many people are already using to manage and pay for their social care.

Together with your NHS team (such as a GP) you will develop a care plan. The plan sets out your personal health and wellbeing needs, the health outcomes you want to achieve, the amount of money in the budget and how you are going to spend it. You can use a personal health budget to pay for a wide range of items and services, including therapies, personal care and equipment. This will allow you more choice and control over the health services and care you receive.

You don’t have to change any healthcare or support that is working well for you just because you get a personal health budget.

Visit the peoplehub website, where people with a personal health budget and their families and carers can talk about their personal health budget experiences.

Who can have a personal health budget?

The first group to be able to have a personal health budget are adults getting NHS Continuing Healthcare, which is NHS-funded long-term health and personal care provided outside hospital. Children who are eligible for continuing care also have a right to have a personal health budget.

Local NHS organisations will be free to offer personal health budgets to other people if they think an individual will benefit. It is the government’s long-term aim, to introduce a right to a personal health budget for people who would benefit from it.

Can I have a personal health budget as well as a personal budget for social care and support?

Yes. If you already have a personal budget for care and support from social services and your NHS team agrees, you can also have a personal health budget and ask for both to be paid into the same account.

Do I have to have a personal health budget?

No. If having a personal health budget does not work for you, your local NHS will provide the care you need as it has always done.

What is the difference between a personal health budget, a personal budget, an individual budget and a direct payment?

  • A personal health budget is for your NHS healthcare and support needs.
  • A personal budget is for your social care and support needs.
  • An individual budget includes your social care and support needs plus other funding, such as independent living.
  • A direct payment is one way of managing these budgets, where you get the cash to buy the agreed care and support you need.

Assistance Dogs

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Assistance Dogs are important for many different reasons.  Here is what to look for.

Does the dog’s jacket have the ADUK symbol?

Does it say Please do not distract? This is most important as it is a working dog not a pet.  This means the dog is focussed on its work and the Partner is dependent on that. Please ignore the dog. I know it is really hard, and they look so soft and touchable, but it is SO IMPORTANT that you ask permission. Distracting the dog makes it forget what it was doing.  Wait until the Partner gets the dog prepared to say hello, and then the dog can really enjoy the meeting of you.  Distraction stops the dog from working and limits its concentration.

Check out the information on Assistance Dogs If they are a member of  ADUK http://http://www.assistancedogs.org.uk/ they are a member of a coalition of assistance dog organisations that encourages the exchange of ideas and best practice amongst its members, raises awareness amongst the general public and promotes behavioural and legislative changes to ensure the freedom, independence and rights of its clients.

My Assistance Dog, Alucia, is trained by Canine Partners http://www.caninepartners.org.uk  but the ADUK website will give further information of other assistance dogs.  All members of ADUK hold registration documents which allows a dog to visit restaurants, and other food outlets. They are properly trained to work in areas pet dogs are not allowed to enter.

Local Stroke Survivors

Local group to keep you updated on how Hull and East Riding  Stroke Service is performing.  Links page available