#Wheelchair Adapted Vehicles

[askvectorprime]

Dear Vector Prime, are there any Transformers who are paralyzed from the waist down and permanently use a wheelchair or other form of mobile seating? How does this factor into their vehicle mode? I wanted to ask because one of my classmates has this disability, and certain businesses aren't accustomed to someone who cannot walk (though fortunately our school has such capabilities for such people)

Dear Ambulation Alerting,

Yes, our kind understands how it is to live with these kinds of conditions. You are not alone, in this regard. Though a Cybertronian may have limited physical mobility for many different reasons, injuries sustained during our eons-long war are to blame for the vast majority of cases of paralysis suffered by our kind. Where circuit-surgery has been unable to restore motion, we have developed and employed all kinds of mobility aids, using wheels, treads, or hover-technology. I know that over the course of Shockwave’s lengthy guardianship of Cybertron, many of his soldiers came to suffer debilitating wounds at the hands of the Autobot resistance; rather than retire or recycle these soldiers, he would employ them as guards, seated in tank-like chairs to patrol the halls of his vast fortress.

Truly, it can happen to anyone. I have recollection of a timeline where Optimus Prime himself took a fusion cannon blast to the waist while protecting Chip Chase, and his backstrut was damaged beyond repair. Inspired by Chip’s wheelchair, he had Ratchet and Hoist refashion his trailer with a new secondary mode, allowing it to change into a wheelchair while he was in robot form.

I think it’s also worth mentioning that many Cybertronians do not have a bipedal configuration in the first place; some of us have wheels which we use to get around even in our primary forms. The most prominent example you will likely know of is probably Rattrap—when he was reformatted into a fully techno-organic body, his legs were replaced with wheels. Having already grown accustomed to using his Transmetal “Knievel mode”, the heroic Maximal didn’t find it too difficult to adapt to this change… which was more than could be said for his lack of weapons in this new form!

Fortunately, Cybertron is a planet where rolling is as natural to us as walking. Even the planet itself has evolved to accommodate this, with staircases being able to convert into ramps and back again. Such is the nature of a world which is constantly transforming.

[starleska]

Could you perhaps do a romantic wally with a reader that uses a wheelchair? If you aren't comfortable it's very much okay!!

of course i can lovely!! happy to oblige 🥰💖 now, i wasn't sure if you'd prefer a self-propelled or motorised wheelchair, so i've tried to blend the two!! hope that's okay :3c

Wally Darling x Reader Who Uses a Wheelchair headcanons

⭐ your being a wheelchair user isn't something that phases Wally at all - he just wants to make sure you're comfortable! whether you use your wheelchair occasionally or all the time, Wally is surprisingly sensitive to your needs and energy levels. if your friends suggest a game which would exclude you by virtue of your disability, Wally is always quick to come up with an adaptation or improvement which would allow everyone to have fun together. likewise, with a self-propelled wheelchair Wally is happy to push you around when your arms get tired - he loves getting to chat with you while showing you all his favourite places in the neighbourhood 💖 ⭐ although Wally isn't much of a handyman, he tries his best to ensure the neighbourhood is adapted for your needs. enlisting the help of his neighbours (especially Howdy's many arms!), Wally sets about making sure each home and establishment is fully accessible to you: installing ramps and clearing furniture where he can. he can't bear the idea of you being left out! likewise, while Wally isn't initially experienced with your specific needs, he's always happy to listen and learn. that's the great thing about Wally - even when he's uninformed, he'll always sit back with his face cradled by one cheek, listening to you intently as you tell him how you can be better supported 🥺 ⭐ when it comes to his loved ones' mobility aids, Wally is always looking to add a pop of colour! it's Wally's feeling that just because you've been provided with a standard, gunmetal black-wheelchair, that doesn't mean you need to be stuck with the colour scheme. with your permission, Wally takes great delight in helping craft colourful, eye-catching additions to your wheelchair, including fun stripes, spots and rolls of glitter to your rims, armrests, and the back of your chair. he also tends to go a bit crazy during the holidays, with Halloween being the biggest offender. with Wally around, your wheelchair is sure to be decked out in awesome papier-mâché bats, tonnes of spooky webbing, or even transformed into a haunted cardboard vehicle! 🦇 aww, i really liked doing this one :3c i hope you enjoy!!

[squarebracketsmileyface]

will Tim chest/breastfeed Birdie? apologies if its a weird question, i just was wondering if there were reasons Tim hasn't gotten top surgery (or at least not yet) other than he either just chose not to/can't afford it at the moment. and i confess, something about seahorse dads/gnc birth parents feeding their babies the old fashioned way just makes my heart happy :D

Not a weird question at all :D

Tim during MH/S,IL currently doesn't have top surgery because he can't afford it and because he wouldn't be able to heal it properly if he could afford it. He's very aware of how the whole "masked state" thing could impact healing a surgery like that. Masky kinda does whatever he wants and Tim knows that "whatever he wants" usually doesnt include going to A&E or whatever when hes injured (broken leg incident, my headcanon is that Tim had to get that leg rebroken and set properly at some point because it healed wrong and left him with chronic pain and a limp, tho I haven't mentioned that in S,IL lol, it's just in my head constantly).

Also I guess medical trauma would have at least some role to play in the decision too currently? Later on he'd probably work through some of that, but currently he's probably not comfortable with much more medical treatment than just seeing his GP. Like, going to A&E or into an actual hospital isn't something he'll completely refuse to do, but it definitely puts him in a very specific and traumatized state of mind. Maybe even triggers Masky to front and Masky's way to fix that feeling of "oh god oh god oh god this is just like when we were a kid" is to simply leave no matter how important it was for them to be there 💀

But yeah! :D

he'd chest feed Birdie, since he's definitely not having top surgery between December 2013 and May 2014. I think he'd probably wait until Birdie was able to look after herself before he has top surgery, since he is a single dad until Birdie is like, 10ish, and top surgery does require you to rest a lot to recover from. Sure he's made a few friends in the pickup line at Birdie's school, but none of them he'd call close enough to ask for that sort of help from. And he's not in contact with his mum and doesn't have a dad, so he can't even ask for help from them, he's completely on his own unfortunately.

So honestly if Brian didn't come back into his life when Birdie was 10, he'd probably be waiting until Birdie was at least sorta 18 ish before he got top surgery, so he'd know she'd be okay and he'd also be able to rely on her to help him a bit after surgery, like, driving him home from the hospital after surgery and all that stuff. Thankfully Brian does come back into his life though so I'm thinking he probably has top surgery when Birdie's maybe 12-14ish? Something like that? Once Brian's properly established in their lives and Tim knows he's not going anywhere and they've reconnected fully so he feels comfortable asking for that kind of support from Brian. Obviously that still has it's own difficulties what with Brian being in a wheelchair, but they make it work, and I do think Brian would have an adaptive vehicle with have controls so he can drive and stuff.

I also love seahorse dads and GNC parents chest feeding and stuff like that, just, trans parents in general, y'know? It's just such a fuck you to society, especially a transphobic society and a society that doesn't expect fathers to be as involved in the care of their children as it expects mothers to. Tim being a single dad is already a great big middle finger to that stupid narrative of dads not being involved in childcare, and then him also being so involved in feeding Birdie as a baby too, idk, there's just something special about it to me.

I feel like chest feeding would definitely be something he finds kinda conflicting, like, he loves it because that's his baby he's looking after, but also I think it'd bring him a very specific brand of dysphoria so he really struggles with it mentally too. He definitely wouldn't end up chest feeding Jesse (his theoretical kid with Brian) later down the line. Mostly because I feel like at that point he'd have had top surgery and idk if you can still chest feed after that, I'm assuming no though, but also because even if he hadn't had top surgery, the dysphoria the first time just wouldn't be something he'd wanna have to deal with again, yknow? It was awful and he really really struggled with it, so it's not something he wants to put himself through again.

But yeah :D

[macgyvermedical]

Okay I'm a whump fan and nursing student, and this seems like a dumb question but I cannot find information fucking anywhere. How do spinal fractures/nerve damage only paralyze the skeletal muscles and not cause organs to stop working? Is there a specific type of injury or point in the spine that's the dividing line between death and paraplegia? Also, is there anything that works in reverse? Either a smaller injury or medication to the spine or nerves. The area being numb or not and skeletal muscle control don't matter as long as the organs and nervous system communication required for life are stopped

The short answer is that it is very common to have some level of organ dysfunction after a spinal injury. Some vital organs just don't need the brain to tell them what to do to be effective, or rely on other signals, such as hormones or the vagus nerve to transmit those signals instead of the spinal nerves.

For example:

The heart needs signals from the vagus nerve, but that exits the skull at a different place than the spinal column, so it is usually unaffected in a spinal injury.

The kidneys and liver are mostly controlled via hormones.

The stomach gets some nerve supply from the vagus nerve, but some from the T6-T9 area of the spine. The stomach may be weakened if a spinal cord injury is higher than T6.

The rest of the gastrointestinal tract and bladder is affected by just about any spinal injury, though whether this is an inability to pass stool or stooling without meaning to depends on where the injury is.

Lungs/diaphragm are controlled at the level of C8 and above, causing difficulty or weakness in breathing.

Spinal cord injuries come in 2 main types: Complete and incomplete.

Complete spinal cord injuries mean generally that the spinal cord has been severed and most or all signals have been stopped. This is usually a loss of sensation, muscle control, and possibly a problem with smooth muscle tissue like that in veins and arteries (causing low blood pressure).

Incomplete means the spinal cord has been torn or otherwise injured but some nerves can still send signals to areas below the site of injury. Incomplete is more of a choose your own adventure writing-wise, since it might mean there is movement but no sensation, sensation but no movement, some organ dysfunction, or a combination.

Having a vertebra break doesn't necessarily mean the spinal cord will be injured, but it does mean it is more likely.

The following are common consequences of complete or near-complete spinal cord injuries:

C1-C4: "neck down" paralysis, difficulty breathing on own, difficulty urinating or defecating on own, difficulty speaking. trouble with maintaining blood pressure.

C5-C6: "Shoulder down" paralysis. Weak breathing but able to breathe and speak on own, difficulty urinating and defecating. Trouble with maintaining blood pressure. Can raise arms and bend elbows, difficulty moving hands and wrists.

C7-C8: "Armpit down" paralysis. Potentially weak breathing, able to use arms and hands, sometimes able to drive an adapted vehicle, may be able to transfer from bed to wheelchair, trouble maintaining blood pressure, bowel or bladder must be managed with catheter, medications, etc..

T1-T5: "Belly down" paralysis. Breathing is intact, but may not be able to hold themselves up due to weakness of back and abdominal muscles. Trouble maintaining blood pressure. Bowel or bladder must be managed with catheter, medications, etc..

T6-T12: "Pelvis down" paralysis. Can probably hold themselves up in a wheelchair, may walk with braces or walking frame, bowel or bladder must be managed with catheter, medications, etc..

L1-L5: "Buttock down" paralysis. May have difficulties with bowel and bladder that can be managed with incontinence supplies, may be able to walk with braces or walking frame, may have some specific movements in legs.

S1-S4: "Buttock down" weakness. Difficulties with controlling bowel and bladder that can be managed with incontinence supplies, probably able to walk with braces. Depending on level of injury may have some leg movements but not others.

[bigreputation92592]

Imagine life altering moment that takes away your voice, your mobility and everything you once knew yet sparks a fire inside you to fight back. That’s my story and you've been the soundtrack to every step of my life.

Imagine life altering moment that takes away your voice, your mobility and everything you once knew yet sparks a fire inside you to fight back. That’s my story and you've been the soundtrack to every step of my life.

Dear Ms. Taylor Alison Swift,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Kelley Sagiv, and I just wanted to express my deep admiration for you. You have been a source of inspiration and have played a significant role in helping me through difficult times. I’d love to share a little bit of my story with you. @taylorswift @taylornation

When I was ten years old, my family and I took a road trip to Florida to celebrate Passover with extended family. On Saturday, April 12, 2003, we left Brooklyn, NY, to begin our journey. When we reached South Carolina on Sunday, April 13, 2003, I asked my mother, "What time is it?" She said, "It's 1:30 p.m., Kelly," and in that instant, my whole world changed.

A tire blew out, causing my mother to lose control of the car. Our vehicle spun four times and rolled over four times. The sound of screeching tires and blaring horns faded as I was ejected from the car, along with my father, sister Lily, twin sister Ashley, and our two dogs. I suffered a brainstem injury that left me quadriplegic and paralyzed my vocal cords.

Life, as we both know, paints its canvas with both triumphs and tribulations. Through my highs and lows, your music has been a constant source of comfort, resonating in the echoes of my heart during moments of uncertainty and despair.

My sister Lily and I share a special bond, one that has been strengthened by our shared love for your music. We've even altered some of your lyrics to fit our personal experiences. From the Fearless album, we’ve reimagined "You Belong With Me" by adding our own twist: "She wears high heels, I wear sneakers, She's Cheer Captain, and I'm in a wheelchair." These playful adaptations have become a part of our journey, and your music has been incredibly therapeutic for us both.

While I love all your songs, I feel a particularly deep connection to "Clean" from the 1989 album. Though the song is about someone recovering from addiction, I relate to it differently. Every day, I feel like I'm struggling with myself. As a quadriplegic with vocal cord paralysis, I often feel like, "The water filled my lungs; I screamed so loud, but no one heard a thing." Despite this, I continue to fight for my voice and my strength, and your music has been the soundtrack to that fight.

I am beyond excited to attend The Eras Tour in Miami on Sunday, October 20, 2024. I would feel incredibly grateful and like the luckiest person in the world if you chose me to receive the hat giveaway during your performance of "22."

My journey as a Swiftie began the moment I first heard "Love Story" from the Fearless album. Being your fan has always held a special place in my heart, and that bond only grows stronger with every album and every year.

Your music has had an immeasurable impact on my life. It’s been my steadfast companion, helping me through both triumphs and challenges. Your ability to turn heartbreak into empowerment has guided me through my own moments of heartache, resilience, and personal growth. It would be a dream come true to receive the hat during the "22" performance, symbolizing everything your music has given me.

Thank you for everything you do. Your art truly transforms lives. @taylorswift @taylornation @universalmusiclegends @universalmusic @universalmusic

With all my heart,

Kelley Sagiv

[briarpatch-kids]

An adaptive stroller is much easier to maneuver than a manual wheelchair! When you know someone is NEVER going to push or steer their own mobility aid, it wouldn’t make sense to go with a wheelchair. Adaptive strollers are made to function like a child’s stroller, in the sense that they are made with the caregiver in mind: glides forward easily, can be handled one handed (such as if the caregiver needs to hold open a door), includes handbrakes, has the options of canopy, storage areas, trays, and can fold down completely to fit into trunks of vehicles. But includes accessibility aspects of being made up to adult sizes, has different types of straps, supports, positioning items, different levels of tilt (for positioning ofc, but can also be used for diapering in toilets that don’t have appropriate changing spaces), strong enough to stay balanced with medical equipment attached, doesn’t have easily accessible areas where profoundly disabled persons could hinder the movement of the stroller, and they’re much more comfortable due to being used way more often than a typical stroller would be. They’re even generally more comfortable than wheelchairs because they’re made for people to relax completely in vs a wheelchair that needs to place a person in specific positions so they’re able to safely move themselves around. (I’m not an expert, but I work at a PT’s office where we frequently do insurance fittings for DME)

I hope this helps in answering the anons q’s :)

@an-autistic-potato someone with a lot more experience than me helped!

Thank you so much anon, I could not for the life of me find the right words and really wanted to help

[streetglider]

Untitled (wheelchair) is one of a series of works Hatoum has made by adapting the forms of furniture and household objects. Her adaptations generally replace parts conferring comfort and support with elements of potential torture. In one of her earliest works in this series, Incommunicado 1993 (Tate T06988), Hatoum replaced the mattress of a baby’s cot with tautly stretched cheese wires. In Untitled (wheelchair) she has replaced the handles of a wheelchair with knife blades. She has said: ‘I see furniture as being very much about the body. It is usually about giving it support and comfort. I made a series of furniture pieces which are more hostile than comforting.’ (Quoted in Mona Hatoum 1997, p.20.) Here the wheelchair itself provides a harsh alternative to its normal counterpart, since it is entirely made of polished metal, replacing surfaces which are normally padded and soft with chill steel. The knife blades transform it into a vehicle of perverse torture which will lacerate the hands of anyone foolish enough to take a hold of it. The potential relationship of love and support, for which the wheelchair is a metaphor, has become one of abuse in which both parties are the victims. In the scenario it suggests, the person who needs care and who is dependent on another in order to move is forced to injure the person who helps him. Hatoum has used the Minimalist structure of the grid in sculptural and installation works as a metaphor for the social and political structures we are all dependent upon. Cold, bare and hard-edged, they reflect the themes of displacement, dispossession and anxiety which stem from the artist’s experience of living, first in Lebanon (as a child of Palestinian parents) and then in Britain (as a young woman), as a racial and cultural exile. The formal beauty of her works, together with elements bringing warmth, light and containment, operate in opposition to structures which suggest fences, cages and racks and speak of cruelty and isolation. The body, either overt in the artist’s performance and video works of the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s, or implicit in her later pieces, is frequently placed in a situation of separation and alienation from what it needs in order to survive. Her works reproduce ‘the feeling of not being able to take anything for granted, even doubting the solidity of the ground you walk on … you feel as if the ground is shifting under your feet’ (Hatoum quoted in Mona Hatoum 1997, p.134). Further reading: Mona Hatoum: The Entire World as a Foreign Land, exhibition catalogue, Tate 2000, reproduced p.14 Mona Hatoum, exhibition catalogue, Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Castello di Rivoli, Milan 1999, p.19, reproduced (colour) p.33 Michael Archer, Guy Brett, Catherine de Zegher, Mona Hatoum, Mona Hatoum, London 1997 Elizabeth Manchester June 2000 https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/hatoum-untitled-wheelchair-t07497

[aureliacetinn]

Differently designed: Barbra gordon as Chariot

Elseworld Gotham knight:

Chariot.

Chariot Combat is based on the idea her chair is

Her transport

Her weapon

&

Her symbol of justice

Chariot uses wayne tech inspired by batwing armour as well as the batmobile and nightwings bike to protect gotham.

The chair has 2 modes: pursuit and combat

Pursuit mode is inspired by racing wheelchairs as seen below. Transferring powerful jolts of kinetic and electric energy stored in her gloves(Gloves designs inspired by wheelchair racing gloves), Chariot can achieve high speeds by simply pushing her chair in either mode.

360 grapple hooks and projectile shooters.

The 3rd wheel is based on existing collapsable wheel prototypes, and stores underneath her chair's seat when not in use. When shifting into pursuit mode, the 3rd wheel extends to the front of her chair, while her seat adjusts to a racing position. Her seat tilts forward while her non-functioning legs are tucked and held underneath, giving her more control while allowing more energy with each push.

Chair mounted grappling hooks allow Barbara to handle anything from gaps to sharp turns, to elevation. While not used in pursuit mode,

the smaller rear support wheels are able to quickly disperse smoke pellets from behind. The chair also has electrified panels similar to the batmobile, along with a reinforced front cover for protection, but also a clear view of the targeting and computer system. For chariot pursuit mode allows her to travel farther faster and even take out vehicles. We went through many designs before we were happy, integrating ideas from paraplegic designs adapted for motorbikes and racing cars and speaking to people who have made such things and own personal experience with adaptations..

Combat mode is more similar in design to rugby and basketball chairs; The combat mode uses the concealed 3rd wheel to help with rotation and can adjust its size to help with more precise movements. The same weapons available in pursuit mode also exist here in combat mode.

In addition, the armour is more compacted and focused on protecting and securing Chariot while still allowing her to use her signature new weapons the dual staffs.

For any wondering how you fight in a chair, I recommend googling wheelchair boxers, breakdancers, and fencers. Along with my personal experience, I can tell you although it's harder to hit someone in the face you are still dangerous and capable if you know how to fight.

Now onto to chariots outfit and design herself.

(barba outfit showing a purple with yellow hue highlight race suit with better                  placed weapon and bataragns and showing her now atrophied legs and her helmet having the kind of bat ears her cape and the like and her weapon that comes out of gloves.)

Barbra Gordon has SCI a spinal cord injury not much other detail is explained, though it seems she did not develop lose of movement in her other nerves across her body which can often occur. So, going on this I was disappointed with oracle design, as she would develop loss of muscle in her legs and her body shape would change, so I implemented that design as shown.

Onto her gadgets she has her utility belt heavily kept loose but connected to prevent nerve compression and clots inside she has all standard gadgets, her thigh holsters are for her batarangs places there so in either chair form she can fire easily. Now on to the gloves the main charge literally, the can be used as a stun as a way to overcharge the chair and opponents, it also is where her extendable and eject-able polearm lies allow her to reach anyone she needs, there are also gas pellets able to be projected and even batarangs if she so chooses.

(Gauntlet have bat spikes arms but also show that they reveal pole-weapon but also function as projectile)

Cape wise you need to have a cape, but we kept it short and simple hardens as she rides to protect her back literally.

All in all, I feel this design keeps her connection to the bat family while also being more as to what a paraplegic hero needs. Also, I'd like to point out, while Barbara was Oracle, her chair design was terrible for her spinal injury.  Without a strap belt, she would be constantly falling out of that chair. I  DO understand the reason why chairs can be hard but it still vexes me. Most of us can agree that Barbara was thrown in the fridge during the Killing Joke, an issue that persists in comics. Even so, I feel how her character was handled afterward, confining her to the “wheelchair-bound hacker” was an even bigger waste!

We could have had a disabled icon, something you rarely see, a tech-heavy hero with endless creativity, and just maybe Barbra could have had a real story and a real fight, not just slight moments till she was suddenly fixed. Which by the way is quite offensive. But I know DC the universe reboots and status quos maintained, which is why I offer an Elseworlds alternative.

The only comic I could find was the oracle code by Marieke Nijkamp which was an Elseworlds story, I liked it for showing that disabled people are forgotten and the medical world still has a very eugenics view still of disability. However, she still only became Oracle, and she wasn’t connected to batman at all. Then there was her choosing to stay inside her world and not be in the outside world which is a shame. So many of us disabled people are trapped inside, and it feels like a missed opportunity to not show her in the outside world striding along with her friends. But, she wasn’t fridged though that was a nice change.

What I'm trying to say with all this is: We had a chance a real chance to have a hero in the mainstream that still fought alongside DC's greatest heroes and wasn’t relegated to behind the scenes, or something to be pitied. Now I know some people loved it, and I'm not saying if a disabled person felt inspired by Oracle that’s bad, she isn’t. I'm just trying to explain that we are forgotten, and media has yet to reflect us positively, being productive members of society. Barbara as Oracle brings this point home to me and it’s a shame. So many times, I have felt offended by Barbara's treatment and characterization, only finding enjoyment in the shorts birds of prey run. But even then, I still felt her seen as inspiration porn when used, instead of a real person.  Of course, I understand why the decision was made, why would an able-bodied creator think this? Especially with the reason, it happened was to do a joker story. I get it, that’s why we made this, there are other options there are different designs we can do, and we hope this shows you how awesome we can be with just a different perspective.

Theses opinions are my own and since this was a big load of work id like to thank @gaminghippy for his help especially with chariots outfit, support and input into mechanical designs crow, cj, vinnie, sassie and slug and the disabled community whom I spoke to for research. But there are 2 I want to specially thank @mgiht_be_evil for been my co designer and who edited this speech minus here I may do all the art, but this never would have happened without you none of this series would. And, to my amar who is the one whose always deemed our disabilities as superhuman. All opinions are mine and my teams we bare no hate just alternatives.

[darkwood-sleddog]

hi! feel free to ignore this. im writing a story that involves mushing! do you any details you'd be willing to share? common misconceptions? it's just nice to hear from someone who does it directly! thank you so much :D

The biggest misconception that non-mushing people have is they often think the dogs are "forced" or "don't enjoy it", usually thanks to negative propaganda from PETA and other Animal Rights organizations and activists.

In reality this is what sled dogs have been bred to do since they were first used for the task by Indigenous arctic people and enjoyment of pulling is one of a sled dog's great joys. They bark, yodel and howl to go, jump at the end of their lines in excitement, bodies quivering and ready. And then the brake is released and they get to run and pull and suddenly they are calm and silent as they fall into their true purpose. There is honestly, imo, nothing better than experiencing that pure joy and purpose.

One detail that will be crucial to get correct in a story you are writing about mushing will be that depending on the time period and type of mushing being done (long distance, short distance, freight, race, etc.) the type of equipment, including the type of dogs used, will change. Not all sled dog types are interchangeable in the context of history and several of the sled dog breeds have very specific purposes (Malamutes for example are a freighting breed, bred to go long distances slowly while pulling heavy loads while Eurohounds are a point/hound/husky sport mix bred for sprint racing, short distances and fast).

Mushing can get even more distinct and specific when dealing with dogs used by Indigenous people (even though the dogs and equipment used by traditional Indigenous mushers can look similar and often is functionally almost the same, there will be distinct regional differences to be aware of and look for when doing research).

Follow as many mushers online as you can and experience the many differences and similarities we have. Mushers are a diverse group since the sport is open to everybody (wheelchair mushing and other adaptable mushing vehicles aren't out of the question. there is no separation of gender in the sport either and we have a number of out transgender athletes).

And one last misconception I'd like to clear up is that only sled dogs can be mushing dogs. Any dog can mush* and poodles have run the Iditarod more times than Malamutes.

[wonda-fhr]

A short Chargestep story. From tongs, zuccinis and other shenanigans. All he wanted to do was cook. No warnings needed. Except about too much fun.

Read here or on AO3

-----------

Slowly, you have made good friends with your wheelchair. As the pain has eased and you can sit more comfortably, you have become more mobile with your vehicle. Even though you can't walk yet, the urge to be more active is growing every day.

Sitting at the table chopping vegetables while Ric rumbles in the kitchen does nothing to offset your activated exuberance. Your mood is good, you had a restful night in strong arms, and there is significantly less painkiller flowing through your veins than there has been since the accident. A melody comes to your lips, to which you automatically adapt your cutting rhythm. At least you keep your mind and hands busy.

The handling of pots and pans in the kitchen ends abruptly. But you only realize that Ortega is watching you when he crouches down next to you, resting his head and hands on the armrest of the wheelchair. You stop your humming and give way to a free smile that your listener returns immediately. You press a playful kiss to his forehead and look at him with sparkling eyes.

"If you sit here, we won't get anything to eat today."

"If you're here, chopping vegetables and humming happily, how can you expect me to stand in the kitchen?"

"Go away. Shoo! Shoo! Into the kitchen with you. If you're so easily distracted, I'll have to cook for myself soon."

"Oh, once I really start cooking, nothing will distract me. Not a chance." Infamous last words, you think as Ortega slips back into the kitchen, unable to see your diabolical grin. You continue humming your tune, slicing the last of the peppers and rolling with them into the kitchen.

You could just put the board down and roll back out. Or, of course, you could put the board on the other side of the hobby cook and roll so close to him that your shoulder brushes his butt. You get a quick "hey" and a sideways glance before Ortega turns his full attention back to his pans.

Your eyes scan the kitchen for useful items that might aid your mission. While you put the peppers away and the small knife in the dishwasher, three items end up next to you in the wheelchair, without your victim suspecting the slightest thing.

Completely unsuspecting, you place yourself with your back to the kitchen counter next to the busy master chef and decide to use the grill tong first. Ortega is wearing only a loose old shirt under his untied apron, both falling loosely from his belly and allowing you free access. You wait with your plan until he lifts the pan of onions to toss the contents expertly. Carefully, you slide the tong under his shirt, fishing for the small bumps on his chest.

A brief twitch tells you that your attack has been noticed, but his concentration remains on the pan. When the pan suddenly finds its way back to the stove with a loud bang, you know that you've hit the right spot this time, and you have to let out a giggle.

"Sneaky troublemaker, do you really want to put your food at risk with these shenanigans?" The amused evil look he gives you from above doesn't discourage you in any way. Now he's warned, which only increases the challenge and your ambition.

"I'm not risking anything, you're far too professional to get distracted, aren't you?"

This time you don't wait long, you pull out the wooden spoon and slide it sideways across his ribs and lower back. You see the muscles twitch, but Ortega keeps stirring in the pan, ignoring you stoically.

You let the spoon explore his back some more while you take a close look at the position of his pants. Without interrupting the gentle strokes on his back, you turn the wooden spoon in your hand so that the handle is free. Once again, the spoon wanders around the sensitive area around the ports between his shoulder blades before you sink the handle deep into his pants between his cheeks.

"¡Dios mío! Now you're overdoing it."

This time he turns to you, hands on his hips, glaring down at you. Now you're facing him head-on, just as you planned. Without justifying yourself, your hand darts forward, presses the zucchini against his crotch, and begins to rub with light pressure. The moment he blinks for far too long is your confirmation that you have him completely off-balance. You know his defeat is certain when you hear his almost suppressed but far too sharp breathing.

He supports himself with one hand on the stove and pulls his hips back to escape your vegetable attack. Just as he meets your gaze and opens his mouth to say something, you take your helpful toy and slowly slide your tongue around the tip of the zucchini. Ric doesn't close his mouth again, no word escapes his lips as he stares at you as if mesmerized.

A slight narrowing of his eyes warns you early enough that it's time to make your escape. Laughing, you give up on the spoiled vegetable and quickly roll past Ric and out of the kitchen. He has already guessed that you want to run away and is on your heels faster than you can escape from him.

You only make it a few feet out of the kitchen and into the living room when a strong tug on the wheelchair causes you to lurch forward for a moment before you are tipped way too far back. With both hands, Ric tilts the wheelchair far enough that you are almost horizontal underneath him.

"I've got you under my control now, troublemaker." He leans over you and kisses you deeply. You enjoy him on top of you. How the beard on his chin tickles your nose and his tongue explores you in a whole new way in this unfamiliar position. You let him take control of this kiss all by himself. But he cannot control your hands. You slide them under his shirt until you can squeeze his nipples between your fingers on either side.

His sudden heavy breathing interrupts the kiss briefly, giving you a moment to deliver a whispered message. "Are you sure you're in control here?"

"What the hell is wrong with you today? I'm about to drop you. What have you done to my lovely, reserved David?" Now he's looking you straight in the eye, still bent over you, but smiling curiously.

"You broke him yourself by making it clear to him that you don't mind orange paint. Now I don't have to restrain myself to make sure you keep your hands off me."

"Ten cuidado, querido. I'm getting addicted to your happy you."

"That's my master plan." You grin mischievously, it's time for you to take back the control. He wouldn't drop you, not even when you pull his head down with both hands. First you kiss his forehead, then his eyes, his cheeks, and finally you get his lower lip between your teeth. You tease his lips a little more with your tongue before pushing him away a little to meet his eyes lovingly. "I guess you burned the onions, love."

He manages to get the wheelchair and you upright before jumping cursingly into the kitchen, leaving you laughing in the living room.

[some-cold-and-some-violence]

Fun fact my town literally doesn't have any form of wheelchair accessible transport except the bus. No taxis or anything. I need a lift to even reach the bus stop. I have a folding wheelchair that can be put in the back of many cars and taxis, and I'm able to get away with crutches or a cane much of the time, but if I was unable to transfer myself, or my chair wasn't folding, and I couldn't afford an incredibly expensive adapted vehicle (I can't, nor can most people let's be honest), then I'd be completely stuck. Completely unable to leave the house.

[mobilityshop]

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Comfortable S-Ergo seating system: The Ergo Lite Transit Wheelchair's unique S-Ergo seating system provides maximum comfort and support to the user. It helps to prevent slipping and slumping in the seat, and it is also pressure-relieving, making it ideal for users who need to sit in a wheelchair for extended periods of time.

Aegis microbe shield fabric: The Aegis microbe shield fabric on the Ergo Lite Transit Wheelchair prevents the growth of microbes on textiles, keeping the chair cleaner and fresher between laundering.

Crash tested: The Ergo Lite Transit Wheelchair is crash tested, making it suitable for use in an adapted vehicle.

If you're looking for a lightweight wheelchair UK that offers exceptional comfort and support, the Karma Ergo Lite Transit Wheelchair is the perfect choice for you. It is the perfect wheelchair for anyone who wants to stay active and independent, regardless of their mobility challenges.

[z-h-i-e]

Not necessarily regarding the above.

These tidbits in quotes are potentially being taken out of context. Read the entirety of the application and job description.

If there is a portion of the job where there are expectations of physically transporting oneself or items which must be secured in one's own vehicle due to liability clauses, that is where some of the language regarding transportation comes in.

Read the specific wording used. If the word gender is listed, yes, that specifically is a little sketchy, but sometimes, that's a manager from a different generation attempting to do their best to ask for preferred pronouns and they end up not using the best wording. The application I use has a field that is simply Pronouns (optional). This is not a trap. This is literally so that at the interview, on the phone, and in emails during the interview process, we can make the candidate feel as welcome as possible. I don't want someone triggered twenty seconds into an interview. No harm, no foul for not filling out that portion, but it is not always a trap.

Many times when it lists information about pushing/pulling/carrying/etc., it is part of the job--BUT! there will often be additional information in that section such as 'with reasonable accommodation'. When I cashiered a long time back, indeed, I had to carry boxes of roughly fifty pounds containing books, magazines, and candy that were coming in from vendor. The set-up of that particular place would have made it very difficult for accommodations. Fast forward ahead, now I'm running libraries, and the fifty pound boxes are part of the daily routine. The difference is, we have wide aisles and various lifts that allow for transport. I have had colleagues who use wheelchairs who have been able to do the job because they utilize the adaptive equipment we have. There's some really cool grabber things with extended reach that can get the books off the upper shelves when one is sitting. We have the technology and the set-up; not every workplace does.

As much as there are perceptions that workplaces are setting up traps in applications and beyond, it is not as rampant as gets reported. The above advice that was given about never answering things honestly on applications -- it's one thing not to disclose, but it's entirely different to lie on an application. If you are caught having lied on an application, there are many places where the policy is firing without any appeal. If you are not going to be honest on the application, what else might be lied about? Many applications have the applicant sign that what they have reported is true and accurate.

Sneaking into a job under false pretenses will have you looking over your shoulder the whole time. I worked with someone who was amazing, but lied on one question, and when that was found out, our supervisor cried as she fired him because it was the policy that it was required. She hugged him so many times, and he kept saying it was okay, and she kept telling him she still would have hired him if he had answered the question honestly. She would have; good managers look for the best person for the job, because ultimately building the best team is what the goal should be when it comes to hiring, and good managers know that.

If there's a job where you feel they are baiting on the application, or you feel you need to lie to get an interview -- do you really want to work there? Is the culture of that workplace going to reflect the goals and values you have? Pass. Hard pass. And the same goes for any opportunities that come up after the interview where you feel it is not going to be a good fit. You can say no to job offers. I have. I was at a point once where I was working three jobs and I wanted to get that down to one jobs and I interviewed for a full time position with benefits and lots of freedom for things, but something wasn't right about it and I passed. I passed the first time, and the second time, and the third time they called I asked them not to call me anymore. That company no longer exists; I know I made the right choice in waiting, because not too long after a better opportunity came along.

In general, if you're filling out job applications, and you haven't done much of that before, or are looking for assistance with practicing interviews or help with a cover letter or resume writing (please don't submit resumes of more than 2 pages; there are many ways to reduce the amount of words and reformat so that even someone with lots of experience can create a 1 or 2 page resume; CVs are a different thing, but additional resume pages tend to get lost in the shuffle or unread), a good first place to go for free assistance is a public library. Some of them will have job readiness databases; others will have physical materials, and some will even have on-site programs, events, or walk-in assistance. There are other types of job centers as well; an example would be the Goodwill Industries Career Centers -- checking at the library to see what resources they know about is also a good starting point.

I caution picking up advice on how to navigate the employment world from social media (and yes, ironic, considering this is advice on navigating the employment world that is being posted on social media). There can be some good things out there, but a lot of it is going to be opinions based on bad experiences. (Yes, good experiences get shared as well, but many of those are going to be focusing on having successfully obtained the job, not the process that led to it.) Part of my job is to assist others with these matters, part of what I teach is job readiness skills, and another part of my job is hiring people, so I have seen the many facets of the hiring process.

Not everything is a trap.

So please consider finding someone who can help to coach or mentor you if this is something very new to you. (And, that coaching can be beneficial even for those who have been in the workforce for a while and are looking for promotions or switching careers or workplaces.)

But please, if you only take one thing away from this -- please don't use AI to write your cover letter or your resume. I have received so many weird documents over the past 18 months that were clearly AI generated from candidates who might have been a good option to interview (applications were great!), but when we can't make heads or tails out of a cover letter or resume, we pass. Part of the resume and cover letter is proving that you can summarize information, present it in an organized format, and communicate clearly and effectively. For confidentiality reasons, I cannot share any of the content, but oh, if I could, that would be a two-part comedy special of dramatic readings of AI-generated employment documents.

On a job application: “What is your preferred name and gender, we value diversity, so be honest.” Me: 

[bigreputation92592]

The world is an enchanting place, filled with a harmonious blend of strength and gratitude. 💖💕💞💕💕💞💕💖💖

Dear Taylor Alison Swift, @taylorswiftsdaily

I hope all is well with you. I wrote you this letter, I hope you find a way and get to read it. My name is Kelley Sagiv. I just wanted to express my deep admiration for YOU, Taylor Swift. You have been a source of inspiration and have played a significant role in helping me through difficult times.

When I was ten years old, my family and I decided to take a road trip to Florida to celebrate Passover with my extended family members. On Saturday, April 12, 2003, we embarked on a road trip from Brooklyn, NY, to Florida. When we arrived in South Carolina on Sunday, April 13, 2003, I asked my mother, "What time is it?" She said, "It's 1:30 p.m., Kelly," and my whole world changed in an instant. Tires were screeching, and horns were blowing, but I did not hear anything. I was ejected along with my father, sister Lily, twin sister Ashley, and two dogs from the SUV. Luckily, an off-duty nurse was driving behind our vehicle at the time. I had a brainstem injury what led me to became quadriplegic and vocal cords paralysis.          

Life, as we both know, paints its canvas with both triumphs and tribulations. Through the highs and lows, your melodies have resonated with the echoes of my heart, serving as a sanctuary during moments of uncertainty and despair. @taylorswift @taylornation

My sister Lily and I share a unique bond, forged not only in the crucible of paralysis but more profoundly, in our shared love for you, Taylor Swift music. We've playfully altered lyrics, adapting words to resonate with our own experiences. In the album Fearless, Taylor Swift sing, "You Belong With Me, She wears high heels, I wear sneakers, She's Cheer Captain, and I'm on the bleachers, and we added I'm on a wheelchair." A playful twist capturing the spirit of our shared journey. We also frequently create videos where we recite the bridge sections of Taylor Swift songs. Lily and I both find Your music to have a therapeutic effect.

I love all your songs, but I truly relate more to the song "Clean" from the 1989 album. I know "Clean" is about someone getting clean and recovering from drugs, which doesn’t apply to me, but I relate to the lyrics in a different way. Every day, I feel like I'm struggling with myself. Being quadriplegic and having vocal cord paralysis, I constantly feel like, "The water filled my lungs; I screamed so loud, but no one heard a thing."

In 2016, a Friday night marked the onset of symptoms—coughing up green phlegm and difficulty breathing. Hospitalized and diagnosed with pneumonia, all I craved in solitude was the comfort of your music. My sister Lily, understanding the healing power of your lyrics, joined me, and together we playfully adapted "Clean" to capture the moment. 

All I wanted to do was change another lyric to Taylor’s song; Lily and I decided to change the lyrics to "Clean," "The water filled my lungs; I screamed so loud, but no one heard a thing," and I added, "Medicine drips; now I could finally breathe!" A week later, discharged from the hospital, your music became the melody of my recovery.

Your lyrics are not just verses; they are profound reflections of the human experience. As you sing in "All Too Well," "Time won't fly; it's like I'm paralyzed by it. I'd like to be my old self again, but I'm still trying to find it." This sentiment resonates deeply with me—I, too, am on a journey to rediscover and love myself again, to reclaim the person I was before my accident. @taylorswift

Taylor, your music has been my refuge and a conduit for self-expression when words failed. Your ability to transmute heartbreak into power has guided me through moments of heartache, resilience, and growth. "Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby" mirrors the vulnerability I've known, your music reflecting my path of self-discovery. @longlovelive @tswiftdaily

There are instances when I get the sensation that I am conversing with a ghost who is there in the room while I am talking to myself. My mood swings fluctuate like a scale that fluctuates up and down. It's never consistent. My critical internal monologue tells me that I am ugly, fat, hopeless, and worthless, and have a big, unsightly nose. It also tells me that I am obese. In my opinion, there will never be anyone who wants to be with me. In my mind, I think that my friends only spend time with me because they feel sorry for me and want to make me feel better about myself. I feel like this is the only reason they hang out with me. I know it’s not true. I know that they really love me and want to hang out me. It’s only my brain making up these thoughts, but I can’t help but feeling like this. Sometimes I get the impression that no one appreciates my personality or the kind of person I am. I get the feeling that I am "always" the problem, much like how Taylor Swift referred to herself in the song "Anti Hero" from her album "Midnights," saying "It's me, Hi!" I'm the problem; it's me, it's me, hi! I'm the problem; it's me. Everybody agrees. I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror. It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero." @taylornation @taylor-swiftfacts

In the darkest corners of my existence, your songs became beacons of hope. Your words inspired me to fight through adversity, to never lose sight of the strength within. "I best believe I'm still bejeweled. When I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer" encapsulates the essence of standing tall despite the storms.

Most of my life, I've been embarrassed about my appearance, and sometimes I feel like everyone around me is "gorgeous on the inside and outside." While I'm like the ugly duckling of the wicked west, who has no regard for her own appearance because she believes she’s to worthless, unattractive, useless, and fat to everyone around her, according to her, she does not believe she is worthy as a person and will never find true love. The more I look around, the more I find myself feeling jealous of what other people are doing in my environment that I am not able to do. When I see people doing everything, they want without depending on anyone, I become emotional, teary-eyed, and depressed. I believe in my heart that they live a better life than I do. They do not need to rely on anyone for assistance, as I do. When I am among other people, sometimes I feel like saying, "Sometimes I feel like everybody is a sexy baby." "And I'm a monster on the hill." Mentioned in the song, “Anti- Hero” by Taylor Swift from her “Midnights” album.  @taylorswiftstyle

Unfortunately, scalpers purchased most of the tickets, and each ticket is triple the price! Wheelchair-accessible tickets cost more than regular tickets. I find it disgusting and unpleasant. I feel like scalpers bought the wheelchair accessible tickets on the floor and then changed the price for each wheelchair accessible ticket by quadrupling the price. They take advantage, and it’s disgraceful! I needed to purchase at least 5 tickets, and each ticket costs $2700, and that doesn't include the tax fees.

I purchased tickets to Taylor Swift’s concert in April and planned on coming to the concert on Sunday, May 28 at MetLife Stadium; however, about on April 14, 2023, I got a major infection and was hospitalized for a month. I became septic from a UTI, and the infection spread to my lungs, and I got double pneumonia. 

As I navigate life's twists and turns, I am profoundly grateful for the gift of your artistry. Your ability to capture the complexity of human emotions has made you a timeless beacon of strength and vulnerability. During moments of uncertainty, when life threw unexpected twists my way, your lyrics provided comfort and understanding. "Shake It Off" became an anthem, a reminder to dance through difficulties and let go of what I couldn't control.

On a ventilator, fighting to breathe, your music played on repeat, providing a steady rhythm in moments where breathing became a fight. Your resilience once again became a guiding light, illuminating a path of optimism and hope.

My sister Lily constantly played Taylor Swift's music on repeat or on shuffle with all her albums, knowing how much her music filled my heart. In the hospital, my sister Lily even made posters to put on my wall saying, "Shake it off, shake it off!"

On May 6th, I was discharged from the hospital, but unfortunately, I had to stay in Florida for my recovery. Unfortunately, I was unable to travel to New York to attend The Eras Tour.

I was depressed and heartbroken when I had to miss the eras tour in MetLife Stadium. I felt my world was over I experienced a profound sense of despair, sorrow, and anguish. I wasn't sure if I would ever get the opportunity again to attend The Eras Tour. But Taylor Swift, you filled me with renewed optimism when you revealed that you would be including additional shows in Miami, Florida on October 18, 19, and 20. I was filled with immense joy and a sense of elation. 

I was extremely delighted to learn that you have included additional Eras Tours in Miami on Sunday, October 20, 2024. I successfully obtained a pre-sale code and received it. However, when I attempted to enter the queue waiting room half an hour before the ticket sale began, I encountered an issue and was unable to access the room. For an hour, it wasn’t working for me. At 3:45 p.m., I was finally able to enter the queue waiting room, but I found myself 8,000 spots behind everyone else. When it was my turn, every ticket that I was about to buy said that someone had already beaten me to those tickets. Each time I attempted, it consistently provided me with the same response. Sadly, I couldn’t purchase any tickets.

I understand that being a verified fan does not guarantee the purchase of tickets. Unfortunately, Ticketmaster did not offer any tickets that were accessible for individuals with disabilities. I am deeply disappointed by Ticketmaster's decision to not offer any ADA-accessible tickets. It is truly disheartening and unacceptable.

I am having the same issues that I previously had to try to purchase Taylor Swift tickets. The scalpers and other people are selling Taylor Swift tickets to The Eras Tour in Miami on Sunday, October 20, 2024, each ticket is selling for $5000+. I’m trying everything I can think of to be at The Eras Tour in Miami on Sunday, October 20, 2024. I would be so grateful and feel like the luckiest person in the world if you would pick me to receive the hat giveaway during the performance of the song "22" and give it to me. I am going to be at the Eras Tour in Miami, no matter what. If I must spend thousands of dollars for each ticket, then that’s what I will do.

My transformation into a Swiftie began when I first heard "Love Story," a song from the Fearless album. Being a Swiftie has always been dear to my heart, and it only gets stronger with every passing day or year.

Taylor, your impact on my life is immeasurable. Your music has been a steadfast companion, a testament to the transformative power of art. I extend my deepest gratitude for the strength, inspiration, and solace your music has gifted me.

I wish that we were friends in person. I wish that we talk and tell each other everything. I want to learn everything from you. I want to learn how to be more confident in myself, how to love myself, and how to be a greater person. I would be so grateful and feel like the luckiest person in the world if you could pick me to receive the hat during the performance of the song "I’m feeling 22" and give it to me. I didn’t purchase tickets for the Eras Tour in Miami on Sunday, October 20, 2024. But no matter what I need to do, I’ll be present at the eras tour on Sunday, October 20,2024, in Miami. 

I’m trying everything I can think of to be at The Eras Tour in Miami on Sunday, October 20, 2024.

My transformation into a Swiftie fan began when I heard "Love Story," a song from the Fearless album. Being a Swiftie fan has always been dear to my heart, and it only gets stronger with every passing day or year.

Thank you for being a source of inspiration, a constant presence in my life. I eagerly anticipate the day when I can attend one of your performances, not just as a fan, but as someone whose life has been profoundly touched by your art.

I am quadriplegic and have vocal cord paralysis, but I still know how to shake it off! And dance like a disco ball who is always shining bright like a shimmery diamond.

Thank you for being a source of inspiration, a constant presence in my life. I eagerly anticipate the day when I can attend one of your performances, not just as a fan, but as someone whose life has been profoundly touched by your art.

Thank you, Taylor Swift, for taking the time to read my letter; I respectfully await your reply, as this is extremely important to me. @taylorswift @taylornation

With heartfelt gratitude,

Kelly Sagiv

[johnalexcooper]

Navigating Motability Schemes: Your Essential Resource for Accessible Transportation

Accessibility is a fundamental aspect of modern living, and transportation plays a critical role in empowering individuals with mobility challenges. In Newry, Motability Schemes have become an invaluable resource, enabling people to reclaim their independence and freedom of movement. These schemes provide a bridge to accessible transportation, offering tailored solutions that enhance the quality of life for countless individuals.

If you or a loved one are considering a Motability Scheme in Newry, this comprehensive guide will equip you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

What Are Motability Schemes?

Motability Schemes are initiatives designed to provide affordable and accessible vehicle solutions for individuals with disabilities. These schemes allow eligible participants to lease a car, scooter, or powered wheelchair, making it easier for them to travel for work, leisure, medical appointments, or daily errands.

By transforming the way mobility is approached, Motability Schemes offer an inclusive path to independence. Participants benefit from vehicles that are adapted to meet their unique needs, ensuring safety, comfort, and reliability.

Eligibility for Motability Schemes in Newry

To take advantage of Motability Schemes, individuals must meet certain criteria. Typically, eligibility is tied to the receipt of a qualifying government-funded mobility allowance. These allowances may include:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a mobility component

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with a mobility component

Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement (WPMS)

It's important to note that eligibility can vary, so it’s advisable to check with the relevant authorities to confirm your status.

How Motability Schemes Work in Newry

The procedure for enrolling in a Motability Scheme is simple. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you begin.

Check Your Eligibility: Ensure you receive a qualifying mobility allowance and have at least 12 months remaining on the award.

Choose Your Vehicle: Choose a vehicle that meets your requirements. Options range from standard cars to adapted vehicles designed for wheelchair accessibility. Motorized scooters and powered wheelchairs are also available.

Sign the Lease: Once you’ve selected your preferred vehicle, you’ll sign a lease agreement, typically lasting three years for cars and five years for scooters or powered wheelchairs.

Enjoy Comprehensive Benefits: The lease includes insurance, maintenance, servicing, breakdown cover, and even tyre replacement. This all-inclusive package ensures peace of mind and hassle-free ownership.

Advantages of Motability Schemes in Newry

Motability Schemes provide numerous benefits to participants, including:

1. Accessibility

Vehicles can be customized with adaptations such as hand controls, wheelchair ramps, or swivel seats. These modifications are designed to cater to specific mobility requirements, ensuring seamless accessibility.

2. Financial Peace of Mind

Leasing a vehicle through the scheme covers all major expenses, such as insurance, servicing, and repairs. This means participants can enjoy worry-free transportation without unexpected costs.

3. Independence and Freedom

Motability Schemes enable people to maintain active and self-sufficient lifestyles. Whether it’s commuting to work or visiting family and friends, the scheme helps participants overcome transportation barriers.

4. Support Services

Participants have access to dedicated support, ensuring they receive assistance with everything from choosing the right vehicle to managing the lease.

Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Needs

When selecting a vehicle through a Motability Scheme, consider the following factors:

Accessibility Requirements: Does the vehicle need specific adaptations to accommodate a wheelchair or mobility device?

Vehicle Size: Ensure the vehicle provides sufficient space for passengers and equipment.

Driving Preferences: Automatic or manual transmission? Petrol, diesel, or electric? Choose based on your comfort and lifestyle.

Usage: Consider how often and where you’ll be driving. Urban driving may require compact cars, while rural commutes may benefit from larger vehicles.

Many dealerships in Newry offer consultations to help you find the ideal match for your needs.

Maintaining Your Vehicle

Once you’ve received your leased vehicle, maintaining it is simple and stress-free. Regular servicing and repairs are covered by the scheme, ensuring your vehicle remains in top condition. Breakdown assistance is also included, so you’re never stranded in the event of a mechanical issue.

If your mobility needs change during the lease period, consult the scheme’s support team for advice on possible adjustments or upgrades.

The Importance of Motability Schemes in Newry

Newry is a vibrant community where inclusivity and accessibility are highly valued. Motability Schemes play a crucial role in supporting individuals with disabilities, enabling them to contribute to and enjoy the community to its fullest. By providing access to reliable and customized transportation, these schemes eliminate barriers and foster a more connected society.

Whether it’s attending local events, participating in social activities, or exploring the stunning landscapes surrounding Newry, having the freedom to travel can significantly enhance the quality of life.

Getting Started with Motability Schemes in Newry

If you’re considering a Motability Scheme in Newry, take the first step by exploring the available options. Consult professionals to evaluate your eligibility, discuss your needs, and guide you through the process.

Remember, Motability Schemes are more than just a transportation solution—they’re a gateway to independence, empowerment, and an enriched life. With comprehensive support and a variety of accessible vehicle options, these schemes ensure that mobility is a reality for everyone.

By understanding the workings of Motability Schemes in Newry, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your mobility needs and aspirations. Let these schemes open doors to freedom and possibility, allowing you to navigate life with confidence and ease.

[atplblog]

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