Enhancing Independence Through a New Mobility Solution

Sarah’s commitment to enhancing her independence and fully participating in her community has remained unwavering despite living with Spastic Quadriplegia. She regularly uses public transport to commute to work, attend music and arts festivals, and visit friends. However, her aging scooter had become increasingly unreliable, frequently breaking down and requiring constant repairs. This prompted Sarah to seek a more dependable solution to better maintain her independence and improve her quality of life.

Sarah expressed her goal of procuring a reliable mobility scooter that would not only support her activities of daily living (ADLs) but also facilitate easier use of public transport, especially when navigating ramps. Jess M, an Occupational Therapist at Pacific Health & Wellbeing (PHW), was assigned to conduct an assistive technology (AT) assessment, trials, and prescription to ensure Sarah's optimal independence and safety.

Jess M and Sarah have been working closely for over 18 months. During this time, Jess has assisted Sarah with procuring a specialised bed and mattress, along with home automation technologies such as sensor lights and automatic locks. Recognising the importance of finding the right mobility scooter, Jess and Sarah embarked on a comprehensive search to find the perfect fit.

Their journey led them to the showroom of Hello Mobility in Kedron, where they trialled various models of scooters. After careful consideration, they selected the Merits Fende S946 4-Wheel Mobility Scooter due to its ease of use, comfort, optimal size, and safety features. This scooter was deemed the most suitable option to meet Sarah's needs and enhance her daily activities.

With the assistance of Jess M, Sarah's new scooter has transformed her ability to engage in her community and live her life to the fullest. "The scooter adds a little more oomph to my independence throughout the week, and I didn’t realise how straightforward the process was to obtain it," Sarah said.

This successful outcome highlights the profound impact that personalised occupational therapy and the right assistive technology can have on improving the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.