Mrs McCarter

I can see the world opening up to me again and for someone who spent so much time enjoying the outdoors, mobility, flexibility and independence are the greatest gifts I could ask for.

Ann McCarter has had four hip replacements, two ‘new’ knees and suffers with chronic pain from scoliosis of the spine.

But thanks to Autochair, Ann is now looking forward to the ease of revisiting the scenery and atmosphere of North Wales that’s been missing from her life for years.

"My husband and I loved walking and being in the outdoors,” explains Ann. "We caravanned in Wales and the Lakes with our dogs almost every weekend in our younger years. We were still walking together eight years ago when I took a fall coming down Snowdon when I was 70. That left me having to have muscles removed from my right thigh and my fourth hip replacement was done at the same time.”

She adds: "It hits you hard when older age takes its toll on your mobility. The pain can be constant and recovery from any complication takes so much longer.”

Ann, now 78, lives in Holywell near Anglesey in North Wales and although does travel out in her automatic Fiesta, cannot get far from the car with the two crutches she needs to walk.

"I had a mobility scooter a few years ago but it needed dismantling to get it into the car. My husband is now in a care home with restricted mobility because of arthritis and there’s no way I can dismantle a scooter and lift it myself.

"I heard of Autochair through the company’s press advertisements and have thought for a long time that it’s something I need. One day I just decided to go for it, picked up the phone and was immediately sent a product brochure and had a visit from their vehicle adaptation assessor in less than a week.

"I felt absolutely no pressure and really valued the demonstration I was given which was all done at my pace and with real patience – machinery is not my forte! But the Smart Lifter mobility scooter hoist is so easy to use I ordered it there and then, even surprising the assessor!”

Now Ann’s Autochair Smart Lifter hoist and new scooter have been ordered she is looking forward to days out a little further from home and with the flexibility to see the sights of the places she loves.

"I’m looking forward to getting out into Llandudno, Anglesey and Prestatyn,” Ann added.

"I can see the world opening up to me again and for someone who spent so much time enjoying the outdoors, mobility, flexibility and independence are the greatest gifts I could ask for.

Thank you again to all the Autochair staff.”