7 seater car needed

[Ulla]

Hi,

Is there a 7 seater car on the market in the UK that is not a high 4x4?

We are looking for a car that will be easy for Nick to transfer into.  Must have 7 seats so we can take 1 seat out so that space can be used for pushchair and shopping etc.

Any ideas.

Thanks,  Ulla x

[Gary Anderson]

Yes. Contact Jeff Gosling - if you gogle him you will find the address of his converter company. He is a paraplegic who adapts cars.

Or there is Allied Vehicles.

Or google wheelchair adapted vehicles.

There is something similar to a Toyoyta Rampvan that allows you to wheel into the vehicle and sit at the front as a passenger and is not a 4x4 and is not a high vehicle.

Hope this helps Ulla.

[Ulla]

Hi there Gary,

Thank you very much for the advise.

We are after a low car as Nick at the moment does a sliding transfer.  He is hoping to get his driving licence back and has already been in contact with our local assessment centre.

His next step is to practise jumping!!   Nobody that was involved with Nick in London belived what he has achived lately so he went up to London to show them.  Got the staff in ITU in tears remembering what percentage he/we were given.

Nicks determination and stubborness has got him through it all so far but he finds "real life" a bit difficult at the moment.

Ulla xxx

[Gary Anderson]

Ulla - Jumping what!!!

I understand what he means about "real life" being difficult. It is the initial adjustment to outside after a year of inside. THat is natural and is best not hurried.

Considering where he was it is amazing. I remember your post on the previous forum and to be honest, my medical opinion was probably along the same lines as his doctors. I WANTED to hope but found it hard. So, instead I prayed for you all.

I am sure Jeff Gosling or some of the  other companies could give advice to you and I do so hope you get what you want.

Somehwere on this forum there is a thread about cars and Andy mentions somehwere as did Miss PIggy who got Kevin a car from where I recommended. If I find it I shall post you the link.

[Andy]

u might want to check out the renault grand scenic, thats what I drive, low sills and comfortable seating position which is a good height for most chair transfers....... incidentally they are a great deal on motability and the seating is very versatile

[Ulla]

Hi Andy,

This was just what we were looking for.  Nick filling out the initial forms at the moment.  How long does it take normally for the process to complete ie. delivery?

Best regards,  Ulla xxx

[Ulla]

Hi Gary,

Jumping?   Nick started  transfering from wheelchair to car without a sliding board just before he left Stoke Mandeville.  Unfortunatly he has not been able to continue due to lack of space for all his equipment.  He is living in our livingroom.  All his equipment like the Oswestry standing frame etc are at the moment in the garage and we are still waiting for his arm and leg bike to be delivered.  We did not want to risk storing it in our garage that is prone to flooding.

Best regards,  Ulla xxx

[Andy]

hi ulla,

once car is ordered and authourised by motability, normally 2-3 months unless they have car already in uk..... definately try transferring out before committing to anything on scheme, alternative models are ford s-max, vauxhall zafira etc

Andy

[Ulla]

Andy, we would not buy a car without trying it out first.  I know from experience that the Zafira is too high and we rented a Ford a couple of years back so that is a no go as well.  My brother works for Volvo in Sweden and their 4x4 is too high too otherwise I/he could have bought one of the test cars really cheap and driven it over to us.  There were no Volvos on the list! 

Regards,  Ulla xxx

[Andy]

this is an invaluable resource too

http://www.ricability.org.uk/reports/report-mobility/insandoutsofchoosingacar/contents.htm

[Ulla]

Ray,

Nick is somewhat stubborn and won't use any kind of hoist at the moment.  Unless he needed one to get in to Goodison Park to watch Everton, then I'm sure he would use one!!!

Ulla

[Gary Anderson]

Silly boy! They can come in very handy when you are incapacitated. I have come to learn never to say never as in recent times I have had to use things I always said I would not.

[friendlyblondmom]

a company in the state converts Chevey Suburbans..... I don't know if there is something like that there. But it was just a thought...

thanks

laura


http://www.rynomobility.com/Suburban-Epic.htm

[Paul Breen]

Hi Ulla,

The link below is to a DVD which may be of interest. The second segment (I think it is about 2 mins 30 in) shows vehicle access options which may be of use to you when it comes to making a decision.

http://www.seriousinjurylaw.co.uk/free-spinal-injury-dvd.php

Paul