We awarded funding to Rita, who is registered as partially sighted due to macular degeneration and is losing her eyesight. As a young woman she had a lumber fusion. Now in her 90s, she fractured her spine 2 years ago which stopped her being mobile. She is on strong pain relief and can only mobilise using a walker. This is becoming increasingly difficult due to muscle weakness around the spine. She is becoming increasingly isolated as she is only able to take her weight for short periods of time.
Rita's son provided lovely feedback:
"The grant was spent on a Karma Ergo wheelchair with powerpack. This gives my mother the option to use it as a standalone wheelchair and also with the option to use it with electric power. The wheelchair can be operated by the person steering it from behind if the terrain is uphill, but it can also be used as a normal wheelchair.
My mother has physically deteriorated and her eyesight is now badly affected. This means that she cannot get out and about like she used to. With the Karma Ergo wheelchair and powerpack, she will be able to get out and about again and retain a bit of independence."