Back on the Road with Irene & Brian | Episode 3: Bumps in the Road

Episode 3: Bumps in the Road

Mum and Dad’s first trip out in their new Brotherwood WAV had been a huge success and we couldn’t wait to get out again. But the weather conspired against us, with high winds and heavy rain.

I suggested to Mum that we use a break in the weather to give them some practice operating the PAWRS system on their own, as up until this point someone had always helped them with it. My parents are very independent, and I knew they were itching to be able to do it all themselves, without having to wait for one of us to be free.

So, wrapped up in so many hats, coats and scarves we could barely move, we ventured outside. “Don’t help me, I want to do it for myself,” said Mum. Watching someone and doing nothing is harder than it looks, but I managed to resist the urge to step in.

Mum has a bad back (she slipped a disc many years ago) so bending over a lot can be tricky for her. She managed to pull the straps out from the PAWRS system easily enough but was struggling to attach them to Dad’s wheelchair, which meant she was bent over for longer than was comfortable. Eventually she got the straps attached but I could see she was a bit frustrated she hadn’t been able to do it straight away.  

Dad’s wheelchair has front wheels that swivel, and it took a couple of goes for them to get him straight up the ramp, but they quickly worked out the knack of it and the PAWRS system makes it very easy to come back a little and readjust if needs be.

 

Once Dad was in, there was some discussion about how far forward he should be. Mum couldn’t see his position to know when to stop pressing the button. I delicately suggested that better communication from Dad might help on that front, which resulted in a wry smile from Mum and him muttering something under his breath!

Next, the rear straps. Mum was standing to one side of the ramp and leaning over to attach them but was a bit uncomfortable. “Why don’t you try doing it sitting on the little ledge, inside the car?” I suggested. She tried it and it worked.

Mum got Dad back out, and we went inside for a cuppa and a debrief. Mum, I could tell, was disappointed. “I thought we’d be out on our own in no time, but I don’t feel I’ve got the hang of it,” she said.

“I think you’re being too hard on yourself, Mum,” I said, “You just need a bit more practice.” The next day, my sister Helen went over to help, and Mum tried again, using all the little tricks and knacks she’d worked out the day before. This time it went much more smoothly. Mum was feeling positive again and realised it was just a question of getting used to it.

A few days later, the weather had improved, and we decided to take a trip out to the garden centre. Due to a naughty Labrador (long story), I was running late. As I pulled into their cul-de-sac I could see Mum closing the boot on the Caddy. She must be familiarising herself with it again, I thought. “Sorry I’m late, Mum,” I said, “I’ll let Dad know that I’m here and he can come out.”

“He’s in the car!” said Mum, with a big smile on her face. They’d done it without any help at all and were quite rightly feeling very proud of themselves. “I’ll drive,” said Mum, and off we went.

In the next instalment of Back on the Road, the couple take their first trip on their own…

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