Each year our wheelchair service works with thousands of clients to deliver them as much independence as possible. Here, Tina Eaton, who has cerebral palsy, and her mum Chris, explain to Chloe Washbrook the difference it makes …
Tina Eaton does not let anything hold her back from enjoying life – least of all the fact she has cerebral palsy.
Thanks to the support of her family and the help of our Wheelchair Service, the 45-year-old from St Mary’s Bay in Dymchurch enjoys her independence, getting out and about in the community and seaside walks with her trusty support dog, Arkadas.
Tina developed cerebral palsy after her traumatic birth left her starved of oxygen. “She tried to come out one foot first and got stuck,” said Chris, Tina’s mum and fulltime carer.
The condition has affected all the muscles in Tina’s body, impacting on all the things that most people take for granted. Everything from her speech, to walking and using her hands to grip and pick up things are limited by her condition.
In her own words, Tina said: “It’s like you are fighting your own body all the time.”
Diagnosed at a year old, Chris explained what it was like when Tina was a baby. “Cerebral palsy just wasn’t talked about. I didn’t even know what the words meant. I just knew she couldn’t sit up on her own or hold a spoon to feed herself.”
Despite this, Chris always made sure Tina had the right support in place so she could live as normal a life as possible.
“We absolutely love our holidays,” Chris said. “We even gave our dogs Turkish names because we have so many great memories of our times there.
“Tina has never ever let her disability stop her from doing what she wants. A previous wheelchair was literally driven all over the ruins in Turkey and round the Rock of Gibraltar!”
As the years have gone on, Tina’s needs have changed and she needed more support to sit up straight and support her posture.
Enter the support of our dedicated Wheelchair Service.
After through assessment and review from Rehabilitation Engineering Manager Paul Moodley and Occupational Therapist Chris Mulligan, Tina is now equipped with a high-tech electronic wheelchair that she controls with the use of her left elbow.
Chris said: “It is absolutely fantastic when we are able to work with a client who is so keen to live life to the fullest. We are all so impressed by how motivated Tina is to not let her disability get in the way of her life. She is truly one of life’s go-getters and we are really proud to be able to support her with a wheelchair that fits her needs.”
Having a wheelchair to support Tina so she could be as independent as possible was vital and having a team of experts available to make sure the wheelchair was right for her has been priceless.
She said: “I can’t recommend the team enough. They have always taken so much time to understand my needs and listen to what’s important to me. If something didn’t work, they would come back and fix it.
“I struggled to get into my old chair, so they have provided me with one that I can not only control with my elbow but also the seat moves forward and back so I can get in it and sit comfortably. It has waist cushions to help me sit upright and keep me comfortable, a head rest and a safety belt to keep me secure.
It’s an impressive piece of equipment, but for Tina it’s so much more than that.
She said: “My chair helps me to get out and about and socialise. I can go out on my own for a drink with friends or go on a walk with my gorgeous dog and mum doesn’t have to worry about me.
“I don’t know how people can just stay indoors. You’ve got to fight it and get out and about and enjoy life.”
How we can help?
You need a referral from a GP or healthcare professional to use our service. If you have previously used the service, you can phone the number below to discuss a review of your needs or a new assessment. For more information contact:
Wheelchair Assessment Service
0300 7900128
kcht.wheelchairservice-kent@nhs.net