For 14-year-old Kelly, being able to move independently is important to her everyday life.

Kelly has kyphoscoliosis, which significantly affects her mobility. Although she can stand for short periods and take a few steps, she no longer has the strength to propel her manual wheelchair independently.

This means Kelly relies on others to move around, including at school. It can make it harder for her to move between lessons, spend time with friends and take part in activities without relying on someone else.

Kelly needed an electric wheelchair that would allow her to move around more independently and have greater control over her day.

Greater independence

With support from Yorkshire Children’s Charity, we were able to provide Kelly with £5,500 towards an electric wheelchair.

The new wheelchair gives Kelly greater freedom to move around independently at school, helping her take part in lessons, spend time with friends and enjoy everyday activities without always needing assistance.

It also gives Kelly greater independence at home, allowing her to move herself when she feels vulnerable and helping her feel more confident in her surroundings. For Kelly, having the right equipment means she can make more of her own choices and take part in everyday life with greater independence.

Specialist wheelchairs can be expensive, and the right equipment is not always within reach for families. Our wheelchair grants help children and young people across Yorkshire access equipment that can make everyday life easier and help them take part.