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

Eric Greenyer, 92 from Selsey and retired RAF flight mechanic, has regained his freedom thanks to the same model of  TGA Breeze S4  that won BBC TV’s Top Gear extreme mobility scooter challenge. Originally born in London in 1923, Eric signed up to the RAF in 1941 during the height of the Second World War when aged only 18. With a keen interest in mechanics he was trained to help maintain Britain’s squadron of Spitfires and Hurricanes based at West Malling Air Base in Kent. Eric’s work was vital in keeping these planes operational so they could repel the Nazi bombers that were relentlessly attacking England at that time. Eric became highly knowledgeable about Rolls Royce Merlin engines that powered the Spitfires and hence was called up to support the RAF during the North Africa-to-Italy offensive. This dangerous and huge operation involved 800 ships many of which were sunk by German U-boats however Eric survived and was able to continue active service stationed in Italy. By ...

Amputee motorcyclist Rick Hadden, 56 from Swanton Novers in Norfolk, has regained his ability to experience freedom on and off-road thanks to a black and chrome  TGA Supersport mobility scooter  . Rick works for a local authority in Northamptonshire and lives in Norfolk with his wife and their nine-year-old Cocker Spaniel called Ruby. He regularly commutes 190 miles per day in an adapted car as he recently underwent amputation of his right leg following a motorcycling accident many years ago. Rick was an enthusiastic yet safe new rider back in 1976 when he was hit by an out of control car on the A6 north of Bedford. Despite being an accomplished off-road rider at the time, Rick had only owned his new road bike for one week when this accident left him with multiple injuries. Over subsequent years Rick rebuilt his life, however one of his legs never fully recovered and in recent times this limb has deteriorated resulting in the need for surgery. Rick's days of enjoying a motorbi...

Despite walking difficulties and diabetes, Roy Hughes, 88 from Exmouth, continues to live an active life thanks to a TGA mobility scooter with off road capabilities, made famous on the BBC Top Gear TV programme. Roy joined the Royal Air Force when he was 17 with the intention of becoming a fighter pilot. However his military training was cut short when he was diagnosed with diabetes which forced him to take a different career path. Despite this major set back in Roy's life, he went onto fulfill a successful 35-year career as a Chartered Surveyor and Senior Land Commissioner for the Ministry of Agriculture. Roy thoroughly enjoyed his time advising farms in terms of building design and was also a key member of the teaching staff at the Royal Agricultural University.  Outside of his busy career, Roy was a dedicated swimming coach for children and is proud to have taught huge numbers of students to swim. However following retirement, Roy's ability to drive a car or walk lo...

Nicki, 48 from Edinburgh has ME/CFS but has regained the ability to enjoy freedom outdoors whilst walking her four dogs, thanks to the same   TGA Breeze mobility scooter  she saw on  BBC Top Gear . Nicki is a lively and dynamic individual who had to take earlier retirement from front line medical duties and was diagnosed last year with  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) , also known as  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) . Nicki now lives with this serious condition that restricts her mobility and makes walking extremely difficult. Nicki enjoyed a successful 15-year career working for the ambulance service based in Edinburgh and regularly assisted during dramatic life-or-death situations. She thrived in emergency situations and ultimately would not swap these memories for anything. Unfortunately she was medically retired from the Ambulance Service and as time progressed, Nicki developed Osteoarthritis, her Asthma became more problematic and eventually she was ...