I need your help - TL;DR: I need to buy a new wheelchair. Explanation below.

Several years ago, I fundraised to help me buy my powerchair, StarBug. It had taken a year of research to whittle down the available options to one which meets my needs, and I got a Freedomchair A08L, which gave me freedom like I’d never had before since I became disabled. It’s given me SO much - enabled me to have independence and enjoy life, to join in on things I’d missed out on for years, to travel, and do so much more.

Wheelchairs are hard-working things, and take a lot of abuse from degraded pavements, poorly dropped kerbs, and constant use. They do not last forever. StarBug has had issues before which I’ve had to fix, sometimes with generous donations from friends and family when I couldn’t afford it or insurance/warranty wouldn’t cover it. We’ve kept brave little StarBug going through various disasters - because no matter what you do - things will go wrong sometimes, it’s inevitable. I’ve upgraded from tubed tyres to solid, puncture-proof ones to try to avoid problems. I’ve become more cautious over how and where I use it to reduce stress on ageing components, but wheelchairs, like shoes, don’t last forever. They have many moving parts, things wear out. I’ve maintained it meticulously, it’s never missed a service, but time takes its toll.

StarBug was coming up to the end of the average lifespan - powerchairs can last up to 5 years if well maintained - and mine has been, and has lasted that long, so it’s done well.

Sadly now StarBug has a cracked frame which the makers have deemed non-repairable, and it’s a write-off. Being several years old, the insurers are never going to pay out what it’s actually worth, or, more importantly, enough to replace it.

I CANNOT risk a second hand wheelchair with an unknown history, especially as I wouldn’t be able to get a used one warrantied, and wouldn’t know how it’s been cared for before. I’ve fallen into that trap before with mobility scooters and vowed never to risk it again, it doesn’t save money, it ADDS stress and expense.

I’ve known for some time that when StarBug ultimately needed retiring, that I’d upgrade slightly to the more modern version of it - the DE08L, which is mostly the same, with the exception of uprated front castors of an improved design which incorporates shock absorbers - which would mitigate the issues I’ve had in the past with the standard castors shearing off and reduce worry over that somewhat. It also has a detachable rear frame which makes it easier and lighter to load in and out of vehicles in two pieces instead of one. I have a friend who has the DE model and know it’s a good alternative.

Added to that - my batteries from StarBug are identical, which will save me £300 per battery (there are three of them) to keep my current range. Most of the parts are identical, meaning I can keep StarBug as a spare and scavenge parts off it in future if needed in an emergency.

Whilst the service agents claim that aluminium can’t be welded, it can. Now I’ve found somewhere which can patch StarBug up for me hopefully, BUT it is not a long-term, safe solution. It won’t be as strong as the original part (and yes I’ve tried to track down a scrapped donor frame to no avail. Even the main UK distributor only has scrapped A06 frames which are too small - they DID try to help). I still need to get a new wheelchair, and I’ve known the time would be coming sooner or later.

The NHS system cannot provide a wheelchair suitable for my needs, nor can motability - with the added disadvantage with motability that I would never own the wheelchair and it could be taken off me at any time without warning, removing my independence. The best solution for my needs is this specific wheelchair, bought new and outright, so I can insure it and get warranty and extended warranty on it.

I say all this because in the past I’ve had a lot of “why don’t you just…?” and links to wildly unsuitable wheelchairs, old, broken, unreliable, unknown, not rated for my requirements, not suitable to put in a car, not suitable for going on grass/gravel etc. Yes I have kept up with new developments and newly released alternatives, and explored if there are any better alternatives for me yet, but only the DE08L still ticks all the boxes. In addition, there are no charities which help adults get the wheelchair they need - most are only for children, or one I found would only help fund unsuitable wheelchairs, and required you to already own, or purchase at your own expense, a large van to transport it first, which I don’t need or want.

Please trust me that I know what I’m talking about, I’m experienced in my own access needs, I know what works and what doesn’t, I’ve done years of research which cover aspects that a 5 minute google search will not cover, so please do not suggest alternatives, because trust me if it worked, I’d have already included it in the list and counted it out for one reason or another.

If you can help, even if it’s just £1 or $1, then I’m very grateful. Otherwise, please please share, as even if you can’t donate, then someone in your network may be able to. Thank you.