Freedom 2022

FREEDOM

When is the right time for a mobility aid? We chat with Dr Hannah to answer your questions

Introducing our brand new lightweight and foldable powerchair: the award-winning Whill F

Your stories: Anne Sprint tells us how she uses her Supersport scooter to travel Europe

Welcome to the latest edition of our Freedom newsletter

We often take our mobility for granted, until the day it no longer comes that easy.

At TGA we believe that when it’s hard to move, you needn’t stop enjoying life. We provide scooters and wheelchairs tailored to suit all kinds of people with all kinds of needs, giving you the freedom to roam and explore.

Sometimes, just a trip to the shops with the sun shining can feel completely liberating, especially when you can stop for a chat on the way whilst sitting in complete comfort. On other occasions when you’re feeling more ambitious, you can get out and explore the Great British countryside, tackling some of the nature trails and

accessible pathways opening up all around the country.

Our lovely community of TGA scooter and wheelchair users have shared their stories and adventures with us and it’s great to see what everyone has been up to. Whether it is roaming freely around Europe in a motorhome or a daytrip to the coast, there are memories to be made and experiences to be had regardless of mobility.

We often hear myths, mistruths and misunderstandings surrounding mobility so we have tried to give you some facts in our mobility mythbusting article on page 4. We also speak to disability campaigner Dr Hannah

Barham-Brown on page 6 who talks about her experiences and gives her view on how and when to start considering something to help with your mobility.

We love hearing and sharing your inspiring tales and you can read a few of our favourites on page 14 which hopefully you’ll enjoy as much as we did.

Best wishes, Daniel Stone

TGA Managing Director

Mobility Mythbusting

There are thousands of mobility enhancing products you can use to help you move more freely, get where you need to go, and stay active.

When walking becomes challenging, scooters and powerchairs make everyday life easier.

If you’re thinking of purchasing a scooter for yourself or a loved one, there’s a lot to consider. It can be an exciting journey, as you imagine all the things you’ll have the freedom to do independently. But it’s not without its challenges. Not all mobility enhancing products are the same. And the way they’re used isn’t the same for everyone, either. Some people just need a bit of extra support, while others need

more from their wheels. There’s no right or wrong—it’s a matter of finding what works for you.

11 million people have a mobilitychallenging illness, impairment, or disability in the UK, yet only an estimated 350,000 people use a mobility scooter. Scooters and powerchairs simply allow those with limited mobility to move freely and for longer periods of time. Despite the widespread use of mobility-enhancing devices, myths still abound. That can make things confusing when you’re trying to decide what’s right for you.

We’ve made moves to answer those all-important questions surrounding mobility:

We bust some myths about mobility. Here’s a rundown of some of the most common mobility scooter myths — and their reality.

Myth: You need permission from your GP or an NHS referral for a mobility aid.

Reality: Mobility scooters aren’t just a medical tool. They’re a lifestyle product.

They enable millions of people to go about their day-to-day lives with incredible ease.

They’re not available from the NHS. So, you don’t need permission from anyone else to buy a mobility product. If you’re considering getting one, it’s likely because you want to increase your independence and make life easier. Not because the doctor has ordered it.

Myth: People treat mobility scooter users differently.

Reality: Let’s face it, sometimes people treat those with disabilities differently than others. But that doesn’t mean you should let it stop you from getting outside and doing what you love.

Most people are understanding and compassionate, and your friends and family will continue to treat you with the same respect they always have.

Everyone else will simply see you as someone who has the means to live their life on their own terms.

Myth: You can’t travel on public transport with a mobility scooter.

Reality: While there are some caveats in terms of airplane travel, many scooters and powerchairs can travel safely on trains and buses. That includes the London Underground and local bus networks. Check with transport operators to confirm if your scooter meets the right requirements before travelling.

We are currently working with leading organisations, such as TfL and Northern Rail, to help them meet their accessibility goals – and reach even further in future.

Myth: Mobility scooters are hard and costly to maintain.

Reality: Mobility devices are usually low-maintenance and don’t need much upkeep beyond regular charging. Quality mobility scooters are built to last and need servicing every twelve months by an accredited technician for safety reasons.

Our products are reliable, but in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, you’re covered with our two or three year warranties.

Myth: Mobility scooters are exclusively for the elderly.

Reality: Mobility scooters are for anyone who has trouble walking or balancing, regardless of age.

Many people feel reserved when confronted with the idea of using a mobility device because of this myth. But the reality is they help millions of people of all ages become more independent in their daily lives.

The overall appearance of mobility scooters has also come a long way with a lot of models being designconscious and opting for sleeker looking features.

Myth: You need to be severely disabled to use a mobility scooter.

Reality: Mobility scooters are suitable for anyone with limited mobility.

People find them helpful for both short and long-distance outings. They certainly make everyday trips to the shops or walking the dog easier.

But they’re equipped to deal with long distances, too. So, you can take your mobility device to the beach or around a National Trust property. It all depends on the model you choose to match your lifestyle.

When is the right time for a mobility aid?

We sat down to chat with Dr Hannah Barham Brown – a physician who has made it her mission to change perceptions about mobility.

A part-time doctor, and passionate campaigner - it’s easy to see how Hannah belongs on the Shaw Trust Power List as one of the UK’s most influential disabled people.

She’s delivered two TED talks on what it means to be a disabled person, coining the phrase #RollModel. Hannah travels around the country, which is made easier with her powerchair, giving voice to a range of charities and causes.

It’s been a life-enhancing tool, but Hannah’s keen to stress it’s one that doesn’t define her: “I’m really lucky to live a full and quite exciting and slightly bonkers life. My chair enables me to do that. But that’s where it ends.

It’s not who I am.”

Preconceptions can often be the biggest barrier to accessing a mobility product. But it’s useful to see them as tools, ones that can help you live everyday life with superb ease:

“It enables you to be independent,” she says. “I couldn’t do pretty much anything I do without my chair.”

Read the full article online at tgamobility.co.uk or scan the QR code:

Do you remember the moment when you first knew you needed a mobility tool?

My mum’s a wheelchair user and has been for many years, so I grew up around disability, understanding what mobility aids were. And it didn’t faze me so much when I realised that if I wanted to have the career I’d worked for, I needed to try using a mobility aid.

So I think the transition was a lot easier for me in many ways. It came at a very challenging time when I was trying to finish a medical degree, which was tough, but in a way, it meant I didn’t have time to consider the impact on my identity.

You mention the strength that having a disabled mother’s example has given you – how did she help you in getting and using the right mobility device?

When I was growing up, mum used sticks, and then wheelchairs, but always had one of these awful massive 25-kilo wheelchairs from the NHS, that my dad would have to get in and out of the car,

he’d have to push around, and she had no independence in the chair at all.

She’s an incredibly well-educated, articulate woman who trained as a lawyer and has done all this amazing stuff. But, until I crowdfunded my first manual chair, she didn’t realise that chairs like that were available to her; that wheelchair services would reassess her — that she had so many options.

In the case where the prospective user and their relatives disagree over how and when to decide to use a mobility product, what can help bridge the gulf?

It’s a really tricky conversation. You don’t want to say: ‘right, you should now get this, you are now disabled enough to need this.’ Frame it in the way of giving them the option: ‘I don’t know whether you’re aware, but have you seen X is available? I was thinking I’d really like it if we could go on this holiday. Did you know that we could maybe borrow this so you could come with us and be a part of it?’ Just giving them information can be

powerful without being pressurising, because it is an incredibly challenging journey. It means people know they’re not alone in making these decisions, and it can feel like a very lonely thing to have to consider.

Is there ever a wrong time or a right time to buy a mobility product?

There’s no right time for everybody. It’s very much a personal decision.

I think it’s really sad when people have put it off for years and years. I don’t want anyone to look back and say ‘God, I wish I’d done this a decade ago. I wish I’d sucked it up and tried a wheelchair because actually, it empowers you. I don’t consider myself to be a wheelchair user first and foremost, I’m many other things before that. But it enables me to be all of those things. And I never want to look back and think I wish I’d tried that because I would have been able to do so much more. ‘

For those that have made the decision and might be new to the idea, what tips could you give them to help them in the next stage?

Don’t just grab the first one. Try a decent range of different chairs and options for you. And think about how you’re going to travel in it. I go to London and around the country all the time with my power chair.

I know that with my WHILL, I can get my overnight bag underneath my feet. And I can hang a rucksack on the back.

Be ambitious with it. What are the craziest things that you can think of? Wouldn’t it be great if I could do this in my chair?

I chose red sides for my Whill powerchair because I wear a lot of red and it goes with my crazy ginger hair.

Try and think outside the box on it. And think about how you make it your own.

with

Hannah

Travel enthusiast

Anne Sprint, 67 from Bradford in West Yorkshire, has been able to continue her lifelong passion for travel thanks to her Supersport mobility scooter that fits in the back of her motorhome.

Anne has been a camper and caravanner all of her life. She loves outdoor living and since early retirement due to ill health, has spent two weeks of every month touring in her motorhome. Anne has rheumatoid arthritis which means she can drive but when parked up, she struggles to walk far. To solve this she takes her TGA Supersport with her.

With her large motorhome as a base and the scooter garaged inside with ramps, she has explored most of the UK including remote places such as the Outer Hebrides and Orkney Islands. In Anne’s 40 years of

touring she has also taken her scooter and motorhome across France, Belgium and Holland. When people say to her ‘why did she buy such a large motorhome?’ she says: “I haven’t bought a motorhome, I’ve bought a posh garage for my Supersport.”

Anne’s world of freedom began back in 2013: “I started researching online and came across a TGA Supersport. It looked tough and its retro rock ‘n’ roll looks were perfect. It didn’t resemble a mobility scooter at all.” At that time Anne used a trailer which doubled up as a bedroom for her grandchildren and a garage for the Supersport.

Eventually after many years Anne and her husband bought their current 6.7metre motorhome and a friend added a hoist to

pull the scooter up ramps so they could take it away with them.

This motorhome has solar panels on the top so Anne can charge her scooter when onboard ready for adventures in far flung corners of the UK and Europe: “I’ve travelled all my life; you can’t beat it. Without my Supersport I’d have lost that feeling of freedom. As my husband still works I go away most of the time on my own so need a reliable piece of kit. In all the year’s I’ve had my scooter, it’s never failed on me. It also lets me walk my two dogs Taya and Derby who come with me, they are getting on a bit now at 15 so they also ride on the footplate!”

When asked about travel highlights and her favourite places, Anne talks about the northern tip of Scotland and the English south coast. “I have so many special memories. I’ll never forget when I took my scooter up the steepest mountain pass in the UK called Bealach na Bà, near Applecross on the north west coast of Scotland. Down south I have been holidaying in Folkestone for over 40 years. Stonehenge was another magical place, I remember we used my scooter for carrying piles and piles of logs for the campfire, so handy.”

The value of independence has been even greater for Anne during the pandemic as she concludes: “Having the scooter and motorhome have been the perfect combination for me to keep travelling whilst avoiding lots of people. My scooter and motorhome let me keep myself to myself. I now know of so many secluded places I can enjoy and without crowds. I say to anyone who enjoys camping, the outdoors, going off road, discovering unusual and remote places, you’ll do no better than getting a Supersport.”

TGA supporting MS Society

We’re an MS Society partner which means MS Society members receive 10% discount on new and approved used mobility scooters, powerchairs and wheelchair powerpacks.

The MS Society provides a range of support services and raises funds to find treatments for everyone living with MS, which can affect how people move, see, feel and think. The charity aims to make life easier for those with MS. This commitment includes working with trusted manufacturers so everyone with the condition can purchase products with peace of mind.

The MS Society has chosen to work with TGA so those with multiple sclerosis can benefit from charity-approved mobility scooters and powerchairs. We’ll also make

a donation to MS Society with each sale generated to support the important work they do.

TGA scooters and wheelchairs have been proven to enhance the lives of people with MS such as Karen Foxton: “My Vita X has added a huge new part to my life. I’m now going places I thought I’d never get to see again after multiple sclerosis took hold of me. I’ll never tire of the tranquillity of the Yorkshire countryside. I believe it is so important to get outside.”

The experience we have gained over the past 35 years has shown us just how important it is to match the right product to a person’s needs. Our hope for this partnership is to just help more people find the right product to keep active, mobile and independent.

TGA team up with National Trust Ickworth for accessible events

We’re working in partnership with National Trust Ickworth in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk to host accessible evenings for their magical Light Nights.

Join us on the 14th and 15th November for an evening wander around Ickworth’s gardens as they are transformed by colour and light.

Enjoy a relaxed evening soaking in nature at night as you weave through canopies of trees, Italianate ever-greens and a gothic Victorian-esque stumpery.

Don’t miss out on this winter walk and a chance to see Ickworth in a new light.

Tickets available online for the event running for 17 nights between 11th27th November 2022.

10% off scooters and powerchairs for Parkinson’s UK members

TGA and Parkinson’s UK are partnering to help Parkinson’s UK members maintain a sense of independence with our range of scooters and powerchairs.

Parkinson’s UK is the UK’s leading charity that drives better care, treatments and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s. In the UK, around 145,000 people are already living with Parkinson’s. That is why TGA are proud to support every single one by offering 10% off new and approved used scooters.

As an extra thank you, we will make a payment to Parkinson’s UK for every scooter purchased to support their good work.

Keep moving at events nationwide with charity, Event Mobility

At TGA, we are proud to sponsor Event Mobility, a charity providing access and mobility at events nationwide.

Event mobility provide hundreds of scooters for loan at events all around the country throughout the summer including Glastonbury Festival and Badminton Horse Trials.

Make sure your reserve your mobility scooter (£30 per event) or wheelchair (£20 per event) online to avoid disappointment.

To view all available events which will be running until the end of the year and to book your loan product, please visit eventmobility.org.uk

What does my WHILL mean to me? It’s simply a game changer. It enables me to go out on my own for the first time in years.

I can fly solo without the worry. This may sound cheesy, but it really has changed my life. It is freedom for me as I don’t need to rely on anyone else. Before I couldn’t even get a pint of milk from the shop on my own.

I am now not stuck at home missing sharing times with my family which has taken its toll on me. Even previous family holidays I wasn’t able to go, it was just too much hassle when we got there whereas now, I can get around without burdening anyone. We are returning to my parent’s house in the Duras region of France in a few weeks’ time after a gap of many years. Having a WHILL is all about being able to be there and share those magic moments.

Tony Senior, Whill C2

Ailsa Hay

Scooters are suitable for people of all ages; this gives me confidence and makes me feel good when I’m out.

Harry from TGA came out to see me, he was a lovely guy. There was no selling, Harry just wanted to suggest the best fitting scooter for me. We both decided the Zest Plus with its larger wheels and suspension would be perfect.

Previously I could only manage a hundred metres and then had to sit down, I was always shattered when I got back home. Now I drive my Zest and it’s amazing, I get in and have no discomfort. It’s easy to drive and doesn’t put too much strain on my wrists when cornering. I can steer with one hand and swap hands if I’m having a bad day with either of my wrists. It feels awesome to be independent. My scooter packs into the back of my mum’s car in five bits for day trips.

Ailsa Hay, Zest Plus

Tony Senior

I open the garage and there are my two Breeze scooters – raring to go! Having two Breeze’s simply means freedom.

Without my scooters I would be stuck indoors and not able to live with my dog, Archie. My scooter with a hood is for bad weather and my other Breeze is for speed.

Archie has grown up with my scooter and travelled as a pup in the front basket. As he has got older, he rides on the footplate and trots alongside. When I’m out with Archie I often lose track of time, we can be driving for many hours without a care in the world. When I think about all the priceless times, we have sat on the quay having fish and chips in the summer, the Breeze has been and will always be the one for me.

Lorna Clyne

How do I sum up how I feel on my Vita? I feel extremely posh, safe and comfortable. I like to think I am still trendy at 65 so the way my Vita looks is important to me.

I desperately needed a way back to countryside rambles. We found the Breeze scooter and spoke to TGA about options. Harry came out to assess me and brought a Breeze and Vita S with him so we could both go for a drive along my local disused railway track. We also went into the forest – the surroundings near here are so beautiful especially as we see lots of deer.

The Vita just felt right for comfortable positioning of my leg and the bucket seat and suspension were so supportive. I can go out on my own without having to disrupt my husband and ask for company all the time. My scooter is so good, especially offroad. ‘Can’t’ is now a word I use less and less in my life.

Lorna Clyne, Vita S

Sandra Brock

Sandra Brock, Breeze S4

The perfect travel powerchair has arrived; Whill

Lightweight, foldable, manoeuvrable.

The Whill F allows you to explore your world with greater mobility and independence.

Easily transported on buses, trains, planes, in the boot of a car or simply folded and stored when not in use.

Weighing only 26kg, Whill F is one of the lightest powerchairs on the market today and folds in one simple movement.

FThe lithium battery weighs less than 3kg yet gives a range of up to 20km or 12miles on one charge. Released with the click of a button for easy transportation and charging which takes just 5 hours.

Simple, intuitive controls give easy movement and the tightest of turns. Available for left or right hand use with a clear display showing battery charge level.

Download the simple smartphone app which allows you to check your charge level, lock and unlock, manage settings and even drive Whill F from your phone. Comes complete with an under seat basket for shopping and can be personalised with a choice of 5 colours. Whill F; clever, compact and foldable.

‘Access the Dales’ with Debbie North

Opening up the Yorkshire Dales to mobility scooter and wheelchair users

We’re proud to be supporting Debbie North, influential rambler and wheelchair user, with her charity ‘Access the Dales’ which aims to ‘‘break down the barriers that prevent people living with disabilities enjoying the great outdoors either independently or with their friends and family.”

Despite having a spinal condition and walking difficulties, Debbie remains mobile and independent by using manual and powered wheelchairs. She is also able to confidently ramble across the stunning Yorkshire Dales countryside thanks to allterrain mobility vehicles.

Alongside campaigning for change, Access the Dales will be helping to provide all-terrain mobility vehicles for

hire in multiple locations in the National Park. Access the Dales will initially manage several ‘Hubs’ where we’ve donated TGA mobility scooters available to borrow free of charge.

Debbie‘s love of fell walking blossomed when she met Andy, a keen hillwalker himself. But in 2008, she was diagnosed with spinal degeneration and was no longer able to walk the hills she loves so much. Together they blogged for many years about their accessible adventures in the Yorkshire Dales and were dedicated enablement ambassadors. Tragically, local deputy headteacher Andy passed away following a short battle with cancer which compelled Debbie to set up the charity in memory of his commitment to accessibility. Access the Dales is

supported by many other organisations such as Yorkshire Dales National Park and Northern Rail. The charity is also proud to have Paralympian Rachel Morris MBE as its ambassador and patron Amanda Owen, TV star of ‘Our Yorkshire Farm.’

Debbie’s explains: “Being enabled to experience the stunning countryside around the UK can really help strengthen mental health and wellbeing. By having the right mobility product for individual needs, a world of opportunities can be opened up as difficulties with walking are forgotten. Freedom to explore should be everyone’s right – Access the Dales alongside TGA will continue striving to make this happen. We are grateful as ever to TGA for their support.”

Our most recent adventure saw us joining Debbie for an accessible walk in the Yorkshire Dales. Leaving behind a roaring fire, we set off from the cosy surroundings of the Lister Arms in Malham and headed for Gordale Scar with a fleet of Scoozy’s so as many people as possible could enjoy the stunning scenery. Joined by local MP Julian Smith, representatives from the YHA and National Parks, not even the heavy September rain could dampen the enthusiasm of everyone helping out as we all join in with the push for greater accessibility.

Access the Dales and TGA

We have the perfect scooter to suit every need and budget

When it comes to finding the right scooter, there is so much to consider. Buying a mobility scooter isn’t an everyday experience, and if you’re just starting to investigate it, we know it can feel overwhelming. What do you need it for? Where will you take it? What level of comfort are you after? These are just a few questions that will guide you to your ideal choice.

Compact, foldable scooters are transportable and easy to store. They have lightweight, removable batteries for easy charging like the Minimo and Zest range. You can also fit them in the car boot, take them on a trip to the shops or even away with you on holiday.

Mid-size scooters offer more comfort and a longer range. The Breeze Midi range, for instance, offers all-round suspension and a front and rear lockable box as standard –perfect for storing shopping. The Maximo, meanwhile, is unique in this category in that it is foldable but has the comfort and leg room of a larger scooter.

Finally, our large scooters offer the most advanced comfort and with the most amount of space. These models are just as much at home on rough terrain as they are on the open road. You can even add a solid canopy for extra weather protection as well as many other options and accessories to tailor the scooter to your needs.

To find out more about any of our range, give our advisors a call on 0800 540 4343

Compact & transportable scooters

Minimo Autofold

• Max weight 18 stone

• Max speed 4 mph

• Range 10 miles

Minimo Autofold is the perfect fit, folding itself in one simple automated action, ready to load on a plane, train or car.

Maximo

• Max weight 18 stone

• Max speed 4 mph

• Range 12 miles

Offers the best of both worlds, compact folding practicality with full-size scooter comfort.

Mid-size scooters

Vita Lite

• Max weight 21 stone

• Max speed 6 mph

• Range 16 miles

The smallest and most compact of the Vita range, ideal for getting around town.

Breeze Midi 4

• Max weight 23.5 stone

• Max speed 8 mph

• Range 30 miles

The Breeze Midi brings you a host of high quality features and equipment including all-round suspension and a fully adjustable, rotating seat.

Large scooters

Supersport

• Max weight 31 stone

• Max speed 8 mph

• Range 30 miles

With a proven track record over 30 years, the Supersport remains a loved classic with unique style and capability.

Breeze S3 and S4

• Max weight 31 stone

• Max speed 8 mph

• Range 30 miles

The award-winning Breeze S brings you the ultimate in advanced comfort, performance and looks. Available in 3 or 4 wheel versions.

Zest Plus

• Max weight 25 stone

• Max speed 4 mph

• Range 18 miles

A perfect portable companion with excellent suspension. It easily disassembles into manageable sections.

Vita E

• Max weight 23 stone

• Max speed 8 mph

• Range 20 miles

With an outstanding level of comfort thanks to its all-round suspension, ergonomic seat and pneumatic tyres.

Scoozy

• Max weight 28 stone

• Max speed 8 mph

• Range 60 miles

Scoozy is a unique, modern take on the mobility scooter and powered wheelchair combined that can tackle a variety of terrains both on and off road.