Journey

Rory’s increasing loss of mobility is a challenge for him and for us.  The inability to move at your own will is a debilitating condition that interferes with your need to lead an independent life.  Not being able to do simple daily tasks can cause frustration, anger, grief and isolation.  Independence and mobility are essential for our well-being.  Mobility loss is particularly devastating for us as a family as we live, work and play in the outdoors.  Access is essential for our quality of life.  Unfortunately as Rory has grown into an adult the ability of Sean and I to carry, push, pull and guide him has reduced.  Over the past couple of years Rory has had less and less access to the outdoors.  We have had to reduce the amount of time we spend in the outdoors, and when we get the opportunity Rory is usually left with support carers.  During family holidays we have been significantly limited in what we do.  None of the mobility devices Rory has trialled with OTs have come close to providing the access to the outdoors he, and we, need it to, until this week.  On Wednesday Rory, Sean and I met the Terrain Hopper Overlander https://www.beachwheels.co.nz/overlander-4ZS with OT Dianne.  We all fell in love.  During the trial Rory had a smile from ear to ear.  He rode the Overlander across a grassed playground, along a gravel path and down an uneven dirt track in the forest.  The Overlander was sturdy and stable, easy for Rory to use and handled terrain we never anticipated.  Rory said “it made me feel free to move around”.  It was amazing.  We could all see doors opening as to where we could take Rory; across farm, along the beach, urban walkways and up the mountain.  The challenge in front of us now is how to make this happen.