[johnvb]

Here's one to start this new forum section off.  If your child is growing too big for their pushchair but are not ready to leave it behind, then have a chat with your occupational therapist about it.  They should be able to refer you to the Wheelchair Service and sort out appropriate mobility equipment for you, for example a larger Maclaren pushchair.

I hope this helps,

John

[maz]

We have a dog and my disabled son regularly accompanies us on our treks - so I was getting worried when he was getting too big for his three-wheeler pushchair. The wheelchair service were very helpful in pointing me in the direction of a Dorset company Delichon. Their sales rep came out and talked with myself, my son and his occupational therapist and a fabulous new bigger three-wheeler was selected. The snag is these things are expensive - about £600. But we applied to a local charity TLC - the Luke Brown Memorial Trust and they were happy to purchase the buggy on our behalf.
The range of buggies and sports style wheelchairs they stock is impressive.
http://www.foam-karve.demon.co.uk/

[Speeds]

Just read this topic.

Mothercare do a Special Needs buggy - a larger version of a normal buggy.  This is £199.  Not as good for the treking I guess but an option and on the high street

[paula]

Thanks  - I didn't know about that! Blimey, special needs isn't going mainstream is it?!

[Speeds]

Actually Halfords also do Special Needs car seats.

Mothercare has done this buggy for a while now - at least 3 or more years as I thought I might need to buy one.  Not sure how good it is though.

[Nikki]

My daughter has been walking for about 6 months and some days are better than others - I'm sure you all know about that!  Our OT referred us to the local wheelchair service and we got a Double Mountain Buggy (as I have a baby as well).  This is great for longer walks with rough terrain and still fits through most shop doors.  Also it was the only double buggy that would accomodate N's size and weight (105cm/17kg).  For shorter journeys where there is good terrain, we have had good success with a Lascal Buggy Board.  This fits behind our standard Maclaren buggy with baby in and is easily detachable if N wants to walk a short distance.  I have also seen little 'sidecars' on e-bay if anyone else has a younger child as well - don't know if they're any good?

[Nikki]

We've just got our big Maclaren buggy from the wheelchair service.  Decided to write this in case there's anyone out there who felt the same as us.

 I suppose we put off getting it because it is a public announcement - 'Look, our child has special needs.'  N has got so big that she really needed it.  I was very concerned I suppose about what people thought when they saw it.  I know it's wrong and you should always do what's best for your child, but.....sometimes it's easier to do nothing. 

Anyway, we've got it now and it's great.  Saw another Mum with big Maclaren this morning when I was out shopping.  Had to look twice before I realised it wasn't a standard pram.  So actually they don't look that bad and much better than cramming a big lump of a girl into an uncomfortable, ill fitting standard sized buggy. 

Another psychological barrier broken!!

Nikki


PS Still use the buggy board when I have the baby with me and am too tired to use baby carrier (he's heavy!), but find 15-20 mins max as N's knees start to stiffen up and she has probs walking after. Have heard you can get special clips to join 2 prams together.  Does anyone use these?

[Claire]

Yay!  I hope N likes it too.

This company makes pushchair connectors,  but I wonder if good old cable ties would work too.

http://www.princelionheart.com/site_uk/t_str_6550.html

[jeg]

I know this is an old topic but The Variety Club charity have just funded us for all the accessories (155 quid) for our son's Maclaren Major SN buggy!
We downloaded a form from their website, filled it and and asked his paed to sign it.

j

[Speeds]

Brilliant

I don't  need one but would you be able to post the link you used for others.

Thanks

[paula]

That is fab! Nice to have some good news.