Eddie Peacock

Eddie

It’s all in the mind?

ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH, or brave enough, to admit to remembering “Little Joe”? He was one of the Cartwright family in a dusty old TV cowboy series called Bonanza. In my memory it was on every week, and I cannot recall that anything of any importance ever happened although it was reassuringly entertaining to a growing boy.

and, as a result, we were not able to see them at all. We did try “video” sessions and whilst these are fine, they just ain’t the same! We are not special or more disadvantaged than anyone else. One of the most irksome by-products of this freak event is that everyone has been challenged one way or another. Daily life is gradually improving, but we have yet to completely shake off the effects of the wretched COVID pandemic. Our little Joe`s shrewd observation made us consider the plight of millions around the world who are grappling with its repercussions. In truth, many of these are just as invisible to us as we soldier through our own daily routines. Here, in our own back yard, the elderly and physically disadvantaged are often finding themselves isolated and lonely. Lockdowns and tier systems have understandably added anxiety and stress. It is very easy to become depressed as a result. It can be I would like you to meet another little Joe. This one difficult to maintain some perspective through these is our grandson. Although we must confess to a certain testing times. Plenty of self-motivation is required to amount of bias, with great respect, he has it over the avoid becoming lonely and downcast. It is also more dashing Hollywood version. Our one is 4 years old with than possible to become lonely even when surrounded golden blonde hair, endless energy and is bursting with by friends or family. fun. He came wandering into the kitchen the other day Mental illness is becoming as popular a subject on holding a small piece of cellophane. He held it up for my radio as the weather. Having spent my working life us to see and declared “Look, I have found some in the mobility industry I have been privileged to meet dozens of people experiencing the effects of all sorts of horrible debilitating diseases. I was, and still am,invisible rubbish”. He brought the proverbial house down! I find it heartening that one comment can bringI I so much warmth, pleasure, and fun into a routine day. amazed at how many of these people cope with the It is even more striking that this pearl of wit and physical aspects of their plight through their strong wisdom came, in total innocence, from a small boy. mental capacity. This strength was also invisible to the W naked eye. The flip side of this is, sadly, that many people areIt certainly set my mind into action. If you are inclined, and you have a copy of the King James BibleW handy, you will find in Psalms 8:2 the famous not naturally emotionally strong. It is easy to slip into a quotation, “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength.” Well Joe certainly gave Eddie Peacock has worked in the mobility us some strength and caused us to reflect and enjoy a precious moment together. We sadly saw little of Joe or any of our industry for “rather a long time”. He enjoyed a challenging career having started grandchildren during the past year owing to this by selling wheelchairs, scooters and coronavirus. Joe and his lovely family live quite close W stairlifts for Sunrise Medical, eventually so we managed to see them, albeit for very brief working his way to the position of UK sales moments. The duration of our reunions were manager. After a period as a self-employed frustratingly limited to conversing through their living room window. These visits were, for many months, also restricted by the British winter weather! consultant he was invited to manage movingpeople.net, now Handicare Ltd, in The rest of our family are spread around the country

Peacock M T H

mood of not bothering to eat well, exercise or even maintain basic levels of hygiene. Developing this state of mind is the work of a truly invisible enemy.

Maybe this is where we can learn from our Joe. There are definite benefits in looking at things from a fresh perspective. After all everything is seen as fresh when you are 4 years old.

There are, perhaps, plenty of stimulants to keep us going and many of them can easily become invisible if we fail to see them; Sunrises, sunsets, clouds, frost (best if observed from indoors!) If you are lucky enough to have a garden; squirrels, birds or maybe even next door`s cat. From the comfort of your favourite armchair in the living room there are puzzles, the radio, books and, of course, plenty of TV programmes.

Even COVID need not be a totally negative experience This pandemic has exposed manifold examples of kindness and generosity. Neighbours have kept an eye on neighbours. There have been countless acts of kindness from shopping to collecting medicines. Even a regular weekly 20 minute visit makes a difference to a person living alone. We should all share some level of responsibility. We can all keep a closer eye on neighbours, friends and family.

Just before we were invaded by the pandemic the much-abused BBC broadcast a documentary about “Britain`s greatest generation”. These were my parent`s generation, who lived through World War 2 and the extreme deprivations which ensued. That little fracas actually lasted for 6 years and was followed by a decade of austerity which, with great respect, puts our present predicament into some perspective. There is little to be gained by simply comparing the numbers of dead.

WW2 450,00, COVID 127,000 (currently) but the effect on daily life back then was staggering by comparison. How about, for example a weekly butter ration of 2 ounces? If that doesn’t shock, how about 1 egg per person per week and 2 ounces of tea? Even after the war, bacon was rationed to 3 ounces per week. Sugar rationing only ended in 1953, 8 years after the war had finished. There were certainly no Big Macs on offer back then and, dare I mention it, obesity was not as common.

Such comparisons deserve more detailed analysis but the overall point I am trying to make is that their spirit was recognised as an invisible and powerful force. We could learn a lesson from these recent ancestors when grizzling about a lack of holidays abroad.

Perhaps we should cheer ourselves up with a good dose of “invisible” medicines…….

Anyway, I am off to visit our little Joe. I need some focus and uplift in my life, and he is just the man for the job.

the UK. In recent years he held the post of Marketing Manager for Mobility which also involved supporting and working with the BHTA.

He has now retired and is looking forward to finding the time to perform useful tasks in the industry, playing drums in a blues band, travelling and most important, being silly with his grandchildren.

To contact Eddie send an email to eddiepeacock@btinternet.com or write to him at Ability Needs, 7 Montgomerie Terrace, Ayr, KA7 1JL

FAQs from the Motability Scheme regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

AS THE COVID-19 SITUATION changes we understand that customers have a number of questions. We are continuing to update this page regularly to ensure we cover the most frequently asked customer questions.

Dealership showrooms across the UK are open and able to offer test drives and face-to-face appointments to help you choose your next car.

As they were closed for a number of months earlier this year, dealerships are currently very busy and expected to remain so for the coming weeks. If you are planning to visit a dealership, we recommend contacting them now to make an appointment. Please be reassured that all of our dealers will adhere to social distancing measures and do all they can to create a COVID-19 safe environment for you.

If you are shielding or do not feel comfortable visiting a dealership at this time, your dealer may still be able to manage your application without your needing to be at the dealership. However, this will be down to individual dealerships and whether they have capacity to manage your application, so please contact your dealer directly to discuss this.

Our Customer Services team is currently dealing with a high volume of calls, we hope you find the answer to your question here. If you do need to call, we ask for your support if you are unable to get through to us as quickly as usual.

VEHICLE HANDOVERS AND NEW APPLICATIONS

I am an existing customer. When can I place an application for my next car?

If you are in the final three months of your lease or have had your lease extended due to the COVID-19 situation, you can order your next vehicle now. Please contact your dealer to make an appointment to discuss your next car.

I am an existing customer, but do not want to place an order for my next car at the moment, what are my options?

Where possible, we recommend customers start their search in the usual way and place an order in the last three months of their lease.

Social distancing and disrupted supply chains for manufacturers mean factories are producing fewer cars than usual which may mean that deliveries of some new cars will take longer than usual.

Our current price list (until 30 June 2021) includes over 500 cars with an Advance Payment of less than £500 – over 200 of these cars have no Advance Payment and a further 50 cars are available for less than your higher rate mobility allowance.

I have a Motability Scheme car; how can I get help if I’m in temporary financial need owing to the COVID-19 situation?

Until 31 July 2021, Motability Scheme customers who are experiencing temporary and exceptional financial need in relation to COVID-19 are able to access an advance of the £600 Good Condition Bonus (GCB) usually paid at the end of a lease.

This GCB payment can be brought forward to provide support during the COVID-19 situation, ensuring that customers in need have access to money during a period when they may need it most. Please note that customers who choose to take this payment early would not therefore receive a further GCB at the end of contract – a point when some customers like to put this towards an Advance Payment on their new car. The advance of the GCB can only be paid once per customer.

My lease has been automatically extended for six months, what will happen with my Good Condition Bonus?

The Good Condition Bonus (GCB) will be paid when you hand back your car to the dealer. If you are in line to receive the bonus, there is no need to contact us – we will automatically send you a cheque within 28 days of the car being returned.

I was due to be reassessed for my allowance but the DWP have suspended my assessment for 3 months; can I stay in my current vehicle?

If your lease is due to end before your reassessment, please contact us on 0300 456 4566 so we can apply a lease extension for you. The Department for Work

and Pensions (DWP) have confirmed that they will continue to pay allowances where they have had to delay assessments.

I am abroad with my Motability Scheme vehicle but I cannot get back due to the Coronavirus, what can I do?

If you are unable to return to the UK in your Scheme vehicle, please contact us on 0300 456 4566 to discuss this.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) customers

As applications and handovers of WAVs are completed at a customer’s home, you should contact your WAV supplier to understand how they are operating within the current regulations.

I am coming to the end of my lease; when can I apply for a new vehicle?

If you lease a WAV through the Scheme and are within the last three months of your lease you can place an order for your next vehicle. We recommend contacting your WAV supplier in advance of this to discuss with them how your needs may have changed, or might change over the next five years, and start your search for your next vehicle.

I had my WAV lease extended during lockdown, when can I order my next vehicle?

Customers leasing a WAV who had their lease extended during lockdown, can contact their WAV supplier to discuss ordering their next vehicle at any point in their lease extension.

I do not want to apply for my new WAV at the moment, what are my options?

Where possible, we recommend customers start their search in the usual way and place an order in the last three months of the lease.

In certain circumstances you may be able to extend your lease for another one or two years. This might be the case if you have specific adaptations on your WAV, or if you have driven less than 25,000 miles at the end of your five-year lease. If either of these apply, please contact our Customer Services team on 0300 456 4566.

Scooter and powered wheelchair customers

Where applications and handovers of scooters and powered wheelchairs are completed at a customer’s home, you should contact your dealer to understand how they are operating within the current regulations.

I am coming to the end of my lease; when can I apply for a new product?

If you are within the last three months of your lease, please contact your dealer to discuss placing an application for your next product. It is worth checking with the dealer if the product you are interested in is in stock or whether it will need to be ordered from the manufacturer as this may have a significant impact on delivery times. Bear in mind that similar products from alternative manufacturers may have different delivery times.

I do not want to lease another scooter or powered wheelchair on the Scheme, how do I arrange to return the product at the end of my lease?

If you plan to leave the Scheme at the end of your lease, please contact your dealership to make arrangements for the product to be returned. If your dealership is closed, or unable to collect the product, then contact us on 0300 456 4566 so we can discuss arrangements.

What about servicing and repairs for my scooter or powered wheelchair?

Your dealership will be in touch to carry out any non-essential service, maintenance and repair work. Although please bear with them as this could take longer than usual as they work to catch up, whilst operating with social distancing measures in place.

If you require any urgent repairs to your scooter or powered wheelchair, please contact your dealer directly to see what they are able to arrange for you. If your dealership is closed, or unable to complete the repairs, then contact us on 0300 456 4566 so we can discuss alternative options.