Mobility Shops

Specialist Vehicle Rental (SVR) in Birmingham has chosen Queen Elizabeth Foundation for Disabled People (QEF)as its new charity partner. SVR supply specially adapted lease and rental vehicles to people living with a disability across the UK. This new partnership will support QEF Mobility Services’ work providing driving assessments and driving lessons to disabled people; helping each person to be as mobile and independent as possible and providing unbiased information about the most suitable option of vehicle and adaptationsavailable to hire, lease or purchase.

Increase mobility and maximise their independence

Based in Surrey, QEF provides expert advice and life-changing services to almost 10,000 disabled children and adults every year, enabling people to develop key life skills, increase mobility and maximise their independence. The charity’s Mobility Services is one the UK’s largest providers of mobility advice and support for disabled people and those with age-related impairments. The charity has a specialist driving school with a team of qualified and experienced Driving Standards Agency Approved driving instructors who have been trained to the highest standards. QEF’s Mobility Services include rehabilitative tuition, driving lessons for confidence training – helping people to adapt to new methods of controlling the vehicle and driving lessons for new drivers up to test standard. SVR was impressed by the charity’s unwavering commitment to ensure disabled people live as independent a life as possible and has pledged to give a 5% donation to QEF from every car supplied to a QEF client who uses the code ‘QEF’ as well as 5% off the cost of the rental, lease or purchase to the client themselves. Leo Visconti, Director of Engagement and Partnershipsat QEFsaid: “SVR’s enthusiasm for our work was evident from the moment we spoke, and we are delighted to have been chosen by them. We are a small charity, but we have big ambitions to ensure that our services enable disabled people to maximise their mobility and independence, and that anyone who wants to drive has the opportunity to learn to drive, as it affords freedoms that everyone should have, and this partnership will help us reach that goal.” Kumba Bockarie from Croydon, contracted Polio when she was just four years old which effects the stability in her legs and means she struggles to walk long distances. She used QEF’s Mobility Services to help her pass her driving test to give her independent mobility and reduce her reliance on public transport. Kumba said: “I have triplets and previously I had to rely on public transport to get us all around. The everyday trips, such as getting to school, were stressful. I can’t run for the bus, so there were times when one of my triplets would run ahead to hold the bus until I could get there. I needed to learn to drive so I contacted QEF’s Mobility Services to organise an assessment. The Occupational Therapist tested my reaction times on a static rig using hand controls and then as I had a good response to this, I drove a car on their private track for the very first time – it was so exciting. “QEF sent the results of my assessment, along with my doctor’s letter about my medication, to the DVLA and once I received my provisional license, I started driving lessons with QEF and I passed my driving test in May 2018. Since then, it has been fantastic – it has given me freedom – we can just get up and go and I can drive anywhere we want. There’s no stress and I can get the kids to school on time! Driving has opened up so much for me and has truly changed my life.” JuggyKudhail, the founder and MD at SVR added: “We are absolutely thrilled to be supporting QEF. It is not just a relationship, it’s a partnership where we look forward to working closely with QEF and their clients whilst supporting the charity. We endeavour to help understand peoples ‘life objectives’ and find solutions for their specific requirements. We work in close collaboration to ensure that we meet if not exceed expectations for all involved. SVR will find an answer for a client who needs our help. Our team are passionate in what they do and will always look to go the extra mile to help achieve customer satisfaction.” It is hoped that the partnership will raise a minimum of £5,000 to support QEF’s mobility services. For any QEF clients that choose SVR, motoring and mobility solutions will be developed that are tailored to aclients’ specific disability and within their budget. These include adaptive equipment from basic hand controls through to full wheelchair access and hoists in its new vehicles and used vehicles. It can also create adaptations to a clients existing vehicle.

To hire, lease or purchase a vehicle through SVR call 01922 624967,  email  QEF@specialistvehiclerental.co.uk or visit specialistvehiclerental.co.uk/contact-us Use the code ‘QEF’ to receive the discount

How to stay fit in a wheelchair A recent  study  involving people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) has revealed that staying fit is even more important for them than for able-bodied people. The results of the project have enabled the researchers to lay down exercise guidelines that will help people with SCI to learn how to stay fit in a wheelchair. Doing so, willimprove both their physical and mental health and help to prevent the development of secondary conditions. Recommendations as to how to stay fit in a wheelchair For general cardiorespiratory fitness and to improve muscle strength, the study recommends that adults with CSI should engage in twenty minutes of aerobic activity of moderate to vigorous intensity, twice a week.Additionally, two sessions per week that include three sets of moderate to vigorous strength-training exercises aimed at each major group of muscles that the person has functioning. For cardiometabolic health,the study recommends at least three sessions of moderate to intense aerobicactivity lasting thirty-minuteseach one. Being in a wheelchair is, naturally, a sedentary lifestyle, which implies multiple health hazards, so wheelchair users need to try extra hard to get enough aerobic activity from their chair. What is aerobic activity? The word aerobic means “with oxygen” and this type of exercise is also known as cardio. It involves exercising hard enough and long enough to raise both your heart and breathing rate.It makes your heart pump oxygenated blood to your muscles and organs.Performing aerobic exercise can lower your risk of developing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and depression. It also burns up calories to keep you at a healthy weight, and encourages movement of the whole body, so reducing the risk of pressure sores. Building up your muscle strength will make transfers easier and give you greater pushing capacity to make your day to day life easier and more enjoyable. Before commencing any fitness programme, you should check with your doctor. He will make sure that you do not have an underlying condition that would make some types of exercise unsuitable. He can also advise on the best way to exercise depending on where your spinal lesion is located. Three ways to get aerobic exercise in a wheelchair

1. Invictus Active Trainer

The  Invictus Active Trainer  is a roller trainer that you can use in the comfort and security of your own home. It is easy to set up and use, and studies have shown that it is an excellent way to burn calories, increase muscle strength and get a real aerobic workout. You can increase the resistance of the rollers to increase your workout as your physical condition improves. You can enjoy a free, no-obligation, seven-day home trial of the Smart Plus Invictus ActiveTrainer, just click  here.

2. Workout DVD

The Wheel-Spin DVD  is the perfect complement to your trainer. A professionally designed exercise program that will show you exactly how to stay fit a wheelchair by doing a fun and effective aerobic workout routine.

3. The FreeWheel

The FreeWheel attachment turns your wheelchair into an all-terrain vehicle. It will allow you to pass over all kinds of difficult terrains like grass, gravel, sand, or even snow, with ease. That means, that you can get out and about to all kinds of places, so getting more exercise and having more fun.

4. Online Videos

Great videos to follow - Click here

To lose that killer belly fat should be everyone's aim. This visceral fat really is a killer, and to make it worse, it's hard to lose. And, unfortunately for wheelchair users, it is even harder to get rid of than for able-bodied people. Is all fat bad? No, all of us have a layer of fat between our skin and our muscles. This fat is called subcutaneous fat and is essential for normal health. This kind of fat helps to keep us warm and also acts as a shock absorber to protect our bodies. When you pinch your skin, this layer of subcutaneous fat feels soft and malleable. This fat also stores excess calories for when we need them. Visceral fat, however, sits much deeper within the body. It develops around the organs found in the belly area, and this fat feels firm to the touch. As well as storing energy, this type of fat also produces and releases hormones. The effect of these hormones on the nearby organs can cause serious health problems. Why must you lose that killer belly fat? Visceral fat can raise your LDL-or "bad Cholesterol" level. It can also increase your blood pressure. Additionally, it increases your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. There are three very good reasons why you must lose that killer belly fat. How to tell if you have too much visceral fat Your waist measurement indicates the amount of belly fat you have. Take the measurement passing the tape around yourself at the level of your belly button. For men, the maximum measurement is 40 inches -102cm, and for women, it's 35 inches-89cm. You can also calculate the ratio between your waist and hip measurement (WHR). Divide the measurement of your waist by that of your hips. The WCR for men should be less than 1, and for women, it should be less than 0.8. How can I lose that killer belly fat? Aerobic exercise is the only way to get rid of visceral fat. You need to get your heart pumping faster and keep it doing so for a sustained period. You should aim to get your heart rate up to about 60-70-percent of its maximum potential. You can roughly calculate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. By keeping your heart rate at this level you will burn mainly calories from fat. However, you need to keep going for 45 minutes or your body will be burning up sugars and carbohydrates rather than fats. How can I do that in a wheelchair? The Invictus Active Trainer is the best way for a wheelchair user to get this type of aerobic workout. You can use this roller trainer in the comfort of your own home and it is quick and easy to set up. The smart version lets you measure your heart rate and calculate how many calories you burn up in each session. You can also store the details of each workout to see how much progress you are making. Start off with shorter sessions and build up both the resistance and the time gradually. This is not only the best way to lose that killer belly fat in a wheelchair but also o improve your health in general. Call 0800 8321916 or click here to arrange for a free home trial and begin enjoying a healthier, happier life.