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

Despite living with breathing and walking difficulties, X-box and football fan Dan Trask aged 30 from Somerset, has discovered how to remain an active cool Dad thanks to a trendy TGA Minimo  mobility scooter. Dan has two young daughters aged 3 and 7 and lives with his partner in scenic Timberscombe, near Minehead. Dan was born with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia , chronic airflow obstruction and exercise induced Hypoxia which means he requires ambulatory oxygen to breath. This was the result of his lungs being damaged during his mother’s pregnancy as she had to be treated for Leukaemia. As Dan only has 25% lung function his capacity to walk any distance is limited so to remain mobile he uses a mobility scooter. Before driving a new TGA Minimo Dan owned a different folding scooter however its performance regularly let him down. Now with a trendy white Minimo Dan is able to continue enjoying life with regular trips to local forests and Bristol City FC. Dan explains: “When you l...

David Multon, 77, who lives in Salcombe and Dorking, has taken ownership of a new type of  folding Minimo Plus mobility scooter  so he can continue enjoying a rewarding lifestyle despite living with mobility difficulties. Before retiring David spent most of his career working in the chemical additives industry. He was a successful UK Managing Director for both a German company and later his own business which both supplied stabilizing agents to the PVC manufacturing sector. Outside of work he was a keen sailor and over many years owned several boats moored in Salcombe harbour. He regularly took his son out water skiing and was also an enthusiastic tennis and badminton player. However, David experienced a slipped disc in 1994 that started a sequence of back issues resulting in several operations. He was paralyzed for a period from the waist down and spent two years in a wheelchair. Nevertheless, with his go-getting and positive attitude, David managed to achiev...

Mr Woodhams has had his TGA Minimo mobility scooter for a few weeks now. Here's how he's getting on with his folding, car boot mobility scooter, and what he and his wife think about their new found freedom. 

Make sure everything is in full working order before you go. Organise a maintenance check if possible to negate the risk of problems whilst you’re away. Ensure your battery is fully charged and take your charger with you. Know the weight of your mobility scooter. A  TGA Minimo  is 24kgs without battery and 26.65 with the Li-ion battery.A handy tip is to attach a tag to your scooter with the measurements and weight, so they are easy to access when you get asked. Take a print out of the folding instructions for baggage handlers. Check with the airline the type of batteries they allow on board. There is some information about the safety of your battery on a plane included in your manual. It may be worth photocopying this or taking your manual with you. Attach a sticker to your mobility scooter stating the batteries you have. Check your mobility scooters charge specifications and whether the charger takes 110volts and 60Hz. If not you will need a voltage converter, which yo...

The TGA Minimo and the Minimo Plus are a revolution in compact, lightweight ‘car boot’ mobility scooter design. They are the most advanced, transportable designs that fold and fit into the boot of your car and require no parts to be dismantled for storage.  Whether you choose the highly popular, original Minimo or its more recent Plus version, both scooters can come with a pioneering, lithium battery that is so lightweight, you can literally pick it up with one finger, amazing! Ideal for taking in the car, on the bus or even further afield on a plane, each Minimo folds effortlessly in one, single-handed movement. When folded, the Minimo can be stored in a compact space and strain-free lifting is assured with its lightweight design. The battery can be easily removed for fast off-board charging so you can keep your Minimo in the car when at home for maximum convenience. Being able to take your scooter with your wherever you want, opens up a whole new world of independence....

Susan Mallows, 51 from Romford, has  Multiple Sclerosis  (MS) and difficulties walking, however she has been able to continue enjoying shopping and exercising with the assistance of a pioneering new type of TGA mobility scooter. Susan is a lovely lady who was unfortunately diagnosed with MS aged 32. MS is a neurological condition that affects around 100,000 people in the UK and symptoms can include fatigue, vision problems and difficulties with walking. Susan's balance and walking problems meant she had to retire early from her secretarial career at the local council. Nevertheless she continued to support her busy husband Terry who also worked for the council as a public sector architect, hence how they met. Now both retired, the Mallows are making the most out of life with a love for shopping, gardening and holidays. Susan has used a mobility scooter for many years to remain mobile outdoors, however their level and range of freedom has recently increased thanks to a re...