Heya

Hope you all are ok.

You all know how useless i am with wheelchairs and how often they end up in the bone yard..

Well... 2 weeks ago I was in my manual chair when a wheel fell off. In Ikea, (a swedish furniture store). Since then I haven't been able to track down any other wheels to fit that chair - also it is one that I use very rarely because the support isn't really adequate for floppy old me. (It doesn't hold my head or chest securely enough and I end up flopping out of it, or my spasms kick in and I end up with my feet underneath the cross bracing and attached to my bum and then fall through the wheelchair.)

Well.... today, Leah and I went off on a mission. I am learning braille at the moment because I am planning on volunteering for a deaf/blind scheme over the summer - and because my arms don't work well enough for finger signing I have to learn braille to communicate with the clients (braille boards - they point to the letter etc and you soon build up a word). So, we were on the third floor of the library seeing if we could borrow a braille book for me to practise with. There weren't any. So, we went back to the lift and got in it. The lift went down, and then my wheelchair exploded.

I know.

not good.

My wonderful does everything magic, singing, dancing, tilting, reclining, bouncing wheelchair which I can actually sit up in. is dead.

So.. I am stuck in a lift with my carer and a dead wheelchair. Leah couldn't move my wheelchair and so she had to climb over me to get to go and call security. After much talk they ended up deciding that they would have to pick me up to standing and then lift the wheelchair ( a good 200lbs!) out of the lift before getting me. So two of them lifted me and slung me over leahs shoulder... (don't you love this? my starring role is as a piece of meat hung over someone's shoulder). They then lifted my wheelchair out. However, when moving the wheelchair the lift sensors re activated - and suddenly Leah and I were being taken up to the top floor.

Oops....

Anyway, I might be quite light, but I'm not nearlly light enough to be hanging over someones shoulder (at 5 "10 and 12 stone.. it's not easy especailly when i am totally non weight bearing and have no balance to remove any weight off her). so she ended up dropping me (gentlyish) onto the floor. So the lift re-opened to find me....

.........spread across the floor of the lift.

It then took 4 security guys to lift me and shove me in my wheelchair. Which. Was still. BROKEN. As I was in absoloute agony by now they agreed to push me back to Brendon (where I live) and shove me in to bed.

BUT with no tilt and no recline on the chair (as the electrics don't work) and I had to be out of tilt to get in the lift) and no power (so have to be pushed), I am STUFFED. I can't sit without tilt/ recline without MAJOR pain and loads of floppying.... so really, I am now stuck in bed. until further notice really.

it is SO frustrating. But I thought you all could do with a laugh!

So;.... I now have NO wheelchairs, but lots of slaves (Ben!! Nick, Si, Laurie, Deano etc) who carry me on request - just not sure about the suitability of them carrying me to the toilet).

Loads of Love to you all
and hope you have a lift free night

FRxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

sorry to hear you're stuck in bed. i will hope for 1 or 2 really excellent chairs to magically appear, soon soon.

Oh Frogga,
Poor you! Are you sure the NHS isn't using you as a test-pilot for their experimental models? Do you have to get the chair transported again, like last time, what a bore that would be!? Won't the wheel on the manual just screw back on, or has something actually snapped - (you don't have to answer these questions...). maybe the uni health department can fix you up with at least something to wheel you down a corridor and back ... change of scenery.
Anyway, I *really* hope you can get something sorted out - I know how busy you are!
all the best.

That would make anyone hurt.

What is wrong with the electric one? Does it just need batteries, or is it really dead?

Do you have paypal? If you do maybe we all can help ya out a little bit. It will be a very little bit from me but I still have a little to give.

I know how hard it is to go without a chair, and it is probably almost impossible for you. I too will be prayin for ya!

Aww, you poor thing! That must have hurt real bad.

Update..........

Well.. Someone is looking after me!

Whilst I was in bed this morning one of my flat mates came in to my room saying there was a guy to see me. I let him in and discovered that he was pushing a wheelchair.

It turns out that someone who rescued me yesterday had rung a mate, who had a mate, who had a brother etc etc etc...... who worked in a mobility shop nearby. So, they'd agreed to lend me a powerchair with all my equipment on it!!!!!!! How cool is that? and the university is meeting most of the costs from it!!! and it tilts, reclines and has a headrest.

so, YAY I HAVE FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's harder to use than my chair - but I'm not going to complain about it cos it means I can go out! I can go to the bathroom! I can do all sorts of exciting stuff.......

You guys are the sweetest - thanks so much for all your love and support - it means SO much to me..... it's strange but it feels like most of us have known each other for far longer..

Thanks so much for all your love, support and suggestions

Love and hugs and hope you are all ok!!

FRxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS I don't suggest any of you get dropped on the floor - RSD has gone horrible!!!!

you sure have been through the ringer so to speak...........i know you tell it as a funny story, but the horror of seeing you laying on the floor, being held like a sack of potatoes, and having to be at the mercy of all your lovely mates, is horrifiying..............but..i am so glad that one friend told another friend, and so on and so on.......for you to be able to get another power chair......but the best thing is..the university is covering most of the costs.........how fantastic.......

someone is certainly looking out for you.............big gentle hugs to you.............

YAY! I love it when the human race comes through (things you never read about in the newspapers...). so glad.

Roll Your little Buttocks right over to Buckingham Palace and Yodle - Hellloooo Hellloooo Queeeeny I need a scoot to the store in your carriage. Mind giving me a lift? Ya got like thirty Bentley's Ya Old Bat!!!!!!

Frogga I assure you she'll help. She owes you all something. Might as well start now. And Don't let her send Helen Merrin out in her place. We know who the real Queen is don't we!!!!

Chin Up xoxo

Mark,
You are a riot (funny). Buckingham Palace with a Yodle. I'll bring a Shofar. (Ram's horn)

You have been their, I am sure of that. Hugs, Roz