“Yes, just about the most versatile wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) I have ever seen. So versatile that it must be crying out to be used by the hire car market. Perhaps I should explain? When we went to the Mobility Road Show with the intention of finding a WAV with front seat area access for Roma’s wheelchair. Most manufacturers made them, all came as either drive from wheelchair or wheelchair front passenger, this one comes in a format that allows the wheelchair to be in either front seat areas within in a few minutes. You simply unscrew a couple of finger nuts, wheel the fixed chair out and place into the opposite side and screw it back down, the wheelchair slot has now been changed over. Neat! Then, perhaps you don’t want some carer like me to come along? No bother, remove the seats and you can put two additional wheelchairs in the back.

OK, what else does this conversion have? Well, ramp and back door operated by button, or in this case a choice of buttons, front doors operated by button, fully automatic gearbox, 1.3 diesel engine, hand controls, large van type rear view mirrors. The demonstrator also used wheelchair tie-downs, but the production vehicles are fitted with either a wheel clamp or a docking station like the Bekker conversions. This vehicle comes without any assistance such as a winch to get the wheelchair into the vehicle, although I had no problem getting Roma’s wheelchair up the short ramp and into position. Once in Roma found that she was a little short of leg room and said that if using the vehicle again she would remove the foot rests before loading, otherwise she found herself very comfortable even once the seat belt was fitted.

Road test. I let their demonstrator drive the outward distance, mainly to see how the vehicle behaved with a driver who is used to it. The answer, very well. Transmission was smooth, a little road noise was experienced, but this is normal in WAV’s, and was no worse than in others we have tested. Roma found that she experienced little difficulty from ‘g’ forces or from vibration. She reported the ride to be very comfortable even over speed humps!!! I took over for the return journey. Now, I am not impressed with the performance of diesel engines, but this one seemed reasonable, after all I am not about to do a lap of the TT course. Acceleration was good, brakes we’re good when I came to the first junction proved to be very efficient!!!! I had been warned! Now, had I done that in my semi race tuned Renault, Roma would have been bending my ear, in this case she simply commented that the seat belts worked very well. Altogether, not a bad vehicle. It will definitely be at the top of our list when we come to take the plunge”.

Three millionth Motability Car presented to Sirus customer by Her Majesty the Queen

Sirus were honoured to be invited to the Houses of Parliament to meet Her Majesty the Queen, who presented one of our customers, David Smith the keys to his Sirus Drive From Wheelchair Volkswagen Caddy.  The presentation was to mark David’s vehicle as the three millionth Motability car.  David is of the world’s leading boccia players, a sport similar to crown green bowls.   The 22 year old who has cerebral palsy said, “This is my 2^nd car but this time, instead of riding in the back, it has been adapted by Sirus so I can drive it. I’m getting lessons with help from Motability, so potentially soon I will have the option of driving myself around giving me freedom and independence”.

The presentation, held in Westminster Hall featured six other paralympians who were all officially presented with the keys to their new vehicles.  In a written message, the Queen, who is chief patron of Motability praised the efforts of the organisation which launched its scheme in 1978. “During this time Motability has changed and enriched the lives of thousands of disabled people and their families by helping them to access a world of increased mobility and freedom”.

David received his vehicle earlier this year and once he has passed his test he will be able to use his car to go to boccia training sessions and competitions all around the country as well as driving to and from Swansea University where he is studying a degree in aerospace engineering.

Come and see us this Saturday 19th May, Whether you are a person living with MND, a family member or carer you are all invited to come along to all MND 2012 conferences.

These one-day events provide the opportunity to learn more about MND care and research, while sharing experiences of living with the disease and making new friends. The five carefully-selected venues offer the MND Association good value for money and provide full disabled access for delegates. Whether you are looking to attend your first spring conference or these events have made a regular appearance in your calendar for many years, you can of course be guaranteed a very warm welcome. Although spring conferences are primarily aimed at those living with MND and their carers, everyone with an interest in MND is welcome. Click here to Book online

The venue for the London Spring Conference is the Radisson Blu, London Stansted Airport, Waltham Close, London, Stansted Airport, Essex, CM24 1PP For more information please click here.