Disability Newsfeed for Disabled People, Parents, Carers, Occupational Therapists and AHPs

Overcoming her health challenges, Diana Whittaker from Sale, has regained invaluable driving independence through the support of the new  RDAC Driving Assessment centre  in Salford, Manchester. The charity,  Driving Mobility , accredits a UK network of twenty independent organisations which offer professional support and driving assessments to people who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. The new, custom-built RDAC centre in Salford serves people from Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire with assessments and practical advice for older and disabled drivers, passengers, motorcyclists and mobility scooter or wheelchair users. Diana lives with a variety of health issues including Cerebral Palsy, which in particular affects her limbs, and Osteoporosis. She has pins in her lower spine, a hip replacement and has experienced cancer twice. Due to health changes and deteriorating mobility, Diana found that she could

In this video you will see the Theracare Leg Lifter : a cost-effective way to get legs into bed – independently and safely. The Theracare Leg Lifter from Theraposture has been designed to enable users to safely and easily get their legs into bed. This simple daily task can prove difficult or even impossible for many people who may have lost muscle tone and therefore strength and general mobility. The Leg Lifter is compatible with most types of bed whether they are non-adjustable or adjustable. It will comfortably lift legs up, over and onto the sleeping surface, requiring very little movement or repositioning. This Theraposture solution is unlike alternative leg lifters that simply lift the legs beside the bed, which is the key difference that distinguishes the Theracare Leg Lifter from many alternative devices available. The motor is quiet and strong enough to lift severely oedemic (swollen) legs. Reduce carer intervention, maximise independence and eliminate care costs with

Claire Holtaway, 26 from Birkenhead, has achieved her goal to drive independently with Cerebral Palsy through the guidance and support of Merseyside’s  North West Driving Assessment Service. Claire Holtaway with Martin Vivers, Approved Driving Instructor Accredited by the national charity  Driving Mobility , North West Driving Assessment Service (NWDAS) is part of the Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust based in St Helens, Merseyside. Its specialist team of Occupational Therapists and Approved Driving Instructors provide professional support and driving assessments to people who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. They have recently introduced car seat and harness assessment clinics for disabled children and mobility scooter assessments to their range of services. Claire, now age 26, developed an interest in learning to drive at the age of 19. Following discussions with several friends with dis