Getting mobile

Claire Banks explains how getting a mobility chair has improved her life with MS

I’ve had my Whill C powerchair for five years now. I have multiple sclerosis (MS) and it has made an incredible difference to me as instead of being stuck at home in a room I can go out and do stuff.

I have a gate at the end of the garden straight into Highwood County Park in Colchester, Essex. When I go there, I don’t have to stick to the paths and drive through the park to Colchester town centre which is about half a mile away. It’s brilliant, I don’t have to go near any roads. I can’t smile enough when I’m out, especially in the summer, I love it.

I have more freedom. I’m not relying on being driven in a car or having to ask someone for help. When I am out, I can do things on my own and don’t have to ask my husband Darren to help me go to the toilet. He loves the fact that he doesn’t have to push me around in a wheelchair anymore. I go to my local Co-op on my own and what I like about my Whill is it is smaller than other powerchairs so I can fit down the aisles because they are quite tight.

Football focus

I also like football and go to Colchester United. I’m a Carlisle fan but can still sit with the away supporters thanks to my Whill. Usually you have to sit with the home fans if you are in a wheelchair as that is the only space they have. As we don’t have a car we use taxis and can get the Whill inside – either I drive in if it is a wheelchair taxi or Darren can break my chair up for the driver to put in the boot.

When I am at home, I can make myself a cup of tea and take it back to the settee. I can look after our two cats Dexter and Leeroy. It’s all the little things like that that make my life better. I can get into the garden to feed my fish in the pond and don’t have to ask Darren to help me. Darren has replaced the steps with a ramp. It is nice watching our fish.

I love the fact I can turn on the spot. I’ve destroyed so many things in our home with other powerchairs as they are so bulky. You tend to forget the big battery is sticking out the back and bash things when turning. I just feel like I’m moving in a small chair in the Whill.

I have been to a few MS events in Colchester and people didn’t believe I was in a wheelchair as I was sat under a table. This is because of the way the Whill looks and that it fits right under a table, they thought I was a carer!