My trial of Loop Wheels

Out with my Loop Wheels

I recently did a trial of some Loop Wheels. 

One thing I regret I not taking any photos while I had them for you to see them better in this review and just for me to look back on. 

I tried the Loop Wheels Urban and I was offered to extend my trial and try the LT wheels instead but I turned the offer down as I didn’t see the benefit at the time. (My reasons why below in this review).

What is really good of Loop Wheels is to UK customers they offer a free trial of the wheels. You get about 2 weeks use of the wheels and all you have to pay for is the delivery which is £35.

I initially went for the Urban wheels as I was guided to them on the ‘Help me choose’ feature of the website as I was going to be using my Loop Wheels with my Batec. That was the whole reason why I was interested in Loop Wheels. They’re a suspension wheel and I thought they’d really benefit me when riding my Batec so I’m being jolted around less which would offer me more comfort and relive my pain especially when going up and down curbs and difficult paths and tactical paving etc. However I personally found that I didn’t get the high suspension relief that I was expecting. I felt some suspension but not much difference to what I get with my Spinergy wheels.

The pink in the photo on the Loop Wheels is my old push rim covers that I put on them as I find the small standard push rims difficult so it was handy that I still had them. Loop Wheels do offer a variety of push rims including the CarboLife push rims with and without Gekko grip. I have the CarboLife L Gekko grip push rims on my GTM chair that I’d highly recommend if you’re going to buy Loop Wheels for every day use.

When I contacted Loop Wheels about the lack of suspension they were really helpful and I explained I used their feature to tell me what Loop Wheels I needed. They explained that for my weight I’d need the LT wheels instead and they can also be used with power add-ons. They did apologise that this wasn’t made clear and the lady explained I’d need the light suspension.

The reason I didn’t try the LT wheels was because I found the Urban wheels quite heavy and the LT wheels were only slightly lighter in weight. I struggled and needed my PA to help me put the Loop Wheels onto my chair every time I wanted to go out on my Batec as my everyday wheels are my Spinergy wheels. I’d still need help with the LT wheels as they still weighed quite a bit. So changing the wheels just for Batec rides was quite a faff. Plus the suspension on the LT Loop Wheels was only slightly more than the Urban wheels. Part of me now though wishes I had gone and tried the LT wheels just to see and try out the suspension but I know that I can always in the future do the £35 trial if I do decide I want to try them out.

I personally felt that the cost of getting the LT Loop Wheels was quite an expense especially considering I was only going to be using them for Batec rides. With a lot of thought I decided to leave the idea of getting Loop Wheels for now and use the money on other things.

In summary:

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Loop Wheels do look amazing
• The trial of the Loop Wheels is a great way to help you decide if they’re for you or not including what wheels are for you (as I found for myself)
• There is a verity of push rim and colour options (alongside the black)
• They have a very of wheels to suite your needs
• The staff are friendly and helpful when you call or email them (I called twice as well as emailed them and the staff were helpful and knowledgeable and eager to help)
• I didn’t feel like it was a push for a sale; they more wanted to let me try out the wheels to get an idea of which ones were best for me.

Cons:

• They are quite expensive wheels - think about if these will be your  everyday wheels or just for riding with a power add-on
• The push rims and coloured Loop Wheels come at additional costs, so consider how much they will cost you in total with all the options you want
• The wheels weigh quite a lot more, especially compared to my lightweight Spinergy wheels 
• I found it difficult to change the wheels partly because of the weight and also as the Loop Wheels didn’t have an axel pin
• I found little suspension given to me in the Urban wheels - not what I was expecting from what I’d heard about these high suspension Loop Wheels
• The standard push rims aren’t that great (hence me putting on my old push rim covers)
• To switch my every day wheels to Loop Wheels plus add the CarboLife L push rims and Gekko grip would be very costly. 
• I felt quite disappointed with the Loop Wheels in all honestly 

Making reading accessible

For me I love books but having both dyslexia and Irlens (also called Scotopic Sensitivity) reading can be a challenge.

There are many ways I’ve now made reading accessible to allow me to enjoy books. Here are the main things that have made reading and accessing books easier for me:

1. Audiobooks 

My current book

I used to love books and reading and then when I fell ill in 2013 I began to struggle to read and then I just stopped reading. Discovering audiobooks  opened up the world of books again to me and I fell back in love with them. To me listening to a book is still “reading’ just in a different way that is more accessible for some people.

At first I had a volunteer from my local library bring me audiobooks on CD but I found my library lacked audiobooks for young adults. Now my local library uses a free listening library app. I also used to get CD’s from RNIB before they moved over to using a listening library too.

Having dyslexia and Irlens also makes reading difficult for me and audiobooks is my way around that to make reading more accessible. Plus having a ‘print disability’ it gave me access to some free listening libraries so I could access listening libraries for free.

Earlier in the year in my Disability Services series I wrote about what a print disability is and about the free listening libraries there are that people in the UK may be able to access.

2. My Kindle

How I read on my Kindle

Ever since I got my Kindle I’ve found is so much more easier to read books. Before I struggled with the small text, often using the magnifier on my iPhone as was as using my overlays. So you can imagine the difficulty reading a book!

My Kindle is so lightweight in my lap compared to a book and pressing the screen to turn the page is so much easier. It can be difficult to hold though at times so I mount my Kindle onto my Flexzi stand that is attached to my bed so I can read more easily along with my reading accessible gadget, (more below).

I love that on my Kindle I’ve been able to make the text settings just right for me to make reading accessible. I’ve chosen a font I find easy to read, I’ve made it quite bold too. I’ve also spread out the line spacing and the spacing between paragraphs. I even sometimes enlarge the text when I’m struggling but still want to read. There are other settings too that collectively have truly made reading accessible for me.

Another feature on the Kindle that makes reading accessible for me with my dyslexia is being able to press on a word and get its dictionary definition.

3. My page turner remote

To go with my Kindle I bought this little gadget. It’s a remote control to turn the page on my Kindle. 

The two parts pair together. One part clips to the screen of my Kindle and then there is the remote control. It’s a nice size and the button is big.

The only downside is there is no button to go back a page but when looking for this device I couldn’t find a device with this feature. I do like that this one is white as opposed to black.

It’s definitely has made reading more accessible for me.

I especially use it when I’m having to be reclined or laid flat in bed. It means I can read in this position in bed. I attach my Kindle to my Flexzi stand on my bed. It means I can position my Kindle comfortably and then turn the page with the remote comfortably, easily and accessibly read.

4. My Flexzi stand

My Flexzi stand* attaches to the bar on my bed. It can also be clamped onto other bars like my wheelchair or flat surfaces like a table. I love that it’s pink too. Lots of things can be mounted on it, my iPad, mobile phone and now my Kindle. All I’ve had to do is put a Velcro patch on the back of my Kindle case.

It really helps makes reading accessible as when I mount my Kindle onto it I can read hands-free when holding my Kindle is difficult. I can also then use my page turner remote too to make reading easier so I don’t have to press the page myself depending on what position I’m sat in. 

It also helps when I’m having to lay in bed reclined, tilted, or laid flat as I can position my Flexzi in a way that is comfortable for reading and it enables me to read my Kindle with ease.

*link to a review of it here

5. My Irlens glasses 

I have Irlens, also known as Scotopic Sensitivity. The colour for people with Irlens varies from person-to-person. For me it’s a blue-purple colour. I’ve used overlays but I find them very cumbersome especially as I have to use a combination of two overlays so now I’ve just received my glasss I find them much easier. I also find glasses more universal such as for working on my iPad and for looking at might Kindle as well as for reading. 

I find having Irlens glasses makes reading accessible as I can use them to read my Kindle where I’ve altered the text to make reading easier and accessible. Plus looking through my Irlens glassess means the text doesn’t move around on the page as this is what it is like to have Irlens.

My Irlens glasses 

* Read about Irlens here

(My glasses look more blue as the dark blue was the dominant colour so you can’t tell that there is two purple shades in them as well.)

6. Overlays and reading rulers

These act as an alternative to my Irlens glasses and both act slightly differently.

The overlays colour the page for me making reading the page easier for me.The overlays I have at the moment are two lilac ones.

My reading ruler I have in blue as I couldn’t get a purple one. My reading ruler helps make reading accessible for me as it helps me read text line-by-line.

 

7. Headphones

The final thing that I find makes reading accessible to me is my different headphones.

The first from the top photo is my headband headphones. I found out about these from a YouTube video by Hannah Hodgson (who does great book reviews and she’s helped me find some great reads). Anyway back to my headband. I find these great when I’m wanting or needing to lay on my side in bed and my usual headphones I can’t wear. They have small ear pieces either side which are small and comfortable. You on the front of the headband is a play/pause button and also volume up and down buttons. The headband is paired with my phone via Bluetooth so I can play/pause and alter the volume on my phone to the headband too.

The second thing photographed below is very similar but it’s an eye mask with headphones inside. I do find this one more cushioned and obviously more comfortable for sleep. It has the same controls and as with the headband is connected via Bluetooth so can be controlled on my phone too. I obviously use this one more for listening to books at night or for resting during the day or bad M.E. days when I’m struggling to tolerate the light.

Next are my noise cancelling headphones and AirPods.

I like my Apple AirPods as they connect really well to my iPhone and iPad. The noise cancellation is also great and I like the feature where if I talk it automatically picks it up and pauses until I’ve stopped talking. They’re also nice and portable to take them anywhere with me so I can access audiobooks on the go making them accessible to me.

Sometimes I don’t always like something in my ears so I like my headphones as an alternative. I really do find head phones make reading, i.e. audiobooks accessible to me. I find having something over my ears comforting and I find the noise cancellation blocking out the background noise really helps with my anxiety. I find they also help me too with my brain fog to be able to concentrate on my book more, making my audiobooks more accessible to me.

I have two pairs of headphones so I always have a pair available to me. My lilac ones especially fold down flat so I can easily put them into my rucksack when I’m going out. I wear my headphones around my bungalow and when laid in bed too so I can listen to my audiobooks.

Disability Pride Month

Throughout the month of July Disablity Pride Month is celebrated. Unfortunately it doesn’t get the same coverage as the LGBTQ+ Pride Month; very few organisations change their logo to the Disability Pride flag and their isn’t the same sold merch. 

Disability Pride aims to celebrate the identities, achievements, and culture among the disabled community. There is also more of a push to promote inclusion and accessibility and well as reducing ablism and disability hate crime. Disability Pride Month came about in commemoration of the signing of  the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) which was passed on July 26th 1990.

So what does Disability Pride mean to me?

Disability Pride Month means a lot to me to as it allows me to celebrate my disability identity. It took me a while to identify as ‘disabled’. Initially I just saw myself as chronically ill then as time went on and understood the definition of what ‘disabled’ meant I began to relate to the idea that I was also disabled. Slowly more and more I referred to myself as being disabled and having disabilities. 

I’m not only dis-abled by my illnesses but I’m also dis-abled in society too. Such as lack of wheelchair access, cafés not providing allergy friendly food and drink options, places not having an accessible bathroom or Changing Places, no closed captions, plus the expense of being disabled, and difficulty getting access to specialist services in the NHS, poor care from care agencies are all dis-abling things (and more) I face multiple time a day.

This is why Disability Pride is important to me as it brings the disabled community together and we can highlight the issues we are facing. It means a lot to see disability being celebrated and I’d love to take part in some of the events to show able bodied people that disability comes in all forms and that we are proud to be disabled. Plus that we won’t tolerate the ableism, hate crime, lack of access, lack of inclusion and representation etc. I do wish there was more coverage of Disability Pride both on and off line as well as for there to be more events as well as Disability Pride parades in the UK. 

As part of Disability Pride some of the topics I feel need addressing are:

I wish topics like ablism were addressed more including what ablism actually is so people are more aware so incidents of ablism is reduced. Included in this is disability hate crime.

I also wish there was more of a push to improve accessibility into buildings, or at counters, or self-service checkouts as well as better accessibility on websites, autism screening times for adults at cinemas, more signed programs at normal times of the day, more ramps and push button doors and voice activated devices like being able to voice control my kindle. Sometimes I feel like accessibility is a forgotten thought. Or another example may be a shop might get a ramp because they have to but it’s not the right type of ramp for the actual user. (I actually personally have experienced this). Accessible holidays to be the same price and currently when booking somewhere accessible often the price of the holiday increases. And so so so much more that I could add! Included in this I’d like to see more accessible toilets and Changing Places be fitted with RADAR Key access. This means that only holders of RADAR Keys can access the facility and it will prevent accessible toilets having baby change facilities. As well as this it will reduce the misuse of these facilities. I’d also like to see signs saying ‘not all disabilities are visible’ on these facilities doors to help those with invisible needs feels able to use the facility and to not be judged for using the facility. People such as those with stomas, urostomy’s, catheters or conditions like Crohn’s or IBS or maybe someone who needs assistance from a carer when using the bathroom. I’d also like to see more Changing Place facilities too, especially ones with washing facilities and height adjustable sinks.

I’d also like to see more of a push to have more domestic violence refugees and services being made available and accessible to disabled and D/deaf women (and men). A 2025 Sky News report found that less than 1% of refugees were accessible for women who are wheelchair users. An older BBC Investigation in 2018 found around 11% of refugees were accessible so this may include accommodation for other disabilities.

As part of Disability Pride Month I’d also like to see more representation of disability on television. They manage for the Paralympics, so why can’t we have more D/deaf ot limb difference or wheelchair user presenters on television or playing parts not focused on their disability in TV dramas like a wheelchair user detective (I saw one on 24 Hours In Police Custody so they do exist) or even a female D/deaf Doctor Who?!

Not-so-happy Disability Pride Month

Currently in the UK our government wants more disabled people in work. The government are currently in the process of reducing ESA And the UC health element benefits in a bid to try and get more people who are currently out of work back into work. However many workplaces lack the access for a wide range of disabilities, even for those going for an interview. Plus there are few jobs that at flexible working especially from home which is what a lot of disabled people need. On top of that the support scheme to help disabled people in work call ‘Access To Work’ that provides equipment, software, support workers etc. is drastically being cut and taken away from those who need putting them in difficulty to be able to continue working. There is also a long waiting list to be assessed for Access To Work too and there is no guarantee you’ll get the support you need. (Disability Rights UK). More needs to be done to enable disabled people to work in a way that suites them and to have their access and support needs met. 

For those too unwell to work I personally feel the government should be fairly supporting them and not dismissed and be treated unfairly. Disability is the only minority anyone can join at any point. With the current changes our government have made if someone were to become disabled and unable to work in the next few months they will receive far less to live off financially in the UC health element payments compared to current claimants.

My article on Scope writing about what the cost of cuts could mean for me.

As well as this PIP, Personal Independence Payments, which is a non means teasted allowance to help disabled people cover the extra costs they incur. - See my post on some of my extra costs (and it’s grown since then as I’ve bought a £5,000 Batec and a £4,000 wheelchair. However there is a shortfall in in amount disabled households receive and the amount disabled households need. A household with at least one disabled chile or adult with need around £1,095 to live the same standard of living as a non-disabled household and that figure is set to rise. Yet the average amount of PIP a person receives is only £465 so there is a massive shortfall. (Scope: Disability Price Tag Report 2025). The government also are also going to make it harder for new claimants to PIP to be eligible for PIP especially when it comes to the daily living component. (There are two components to PIP: daily living and mobility.)

These changes passed by the UK government came into effect on the 9 July so a Not-So-Happy Disability Pride Month for disabled people in the UK.

Personally it feels harsh as our current government used to stand for the vulnerable and working and lower-class in society. I personally hoped a change in political leadership would be good and much needed for the non-10% in society. The government wanted to make these changes to saves billions and they felt too many people were on sickness benefits. (Well we have just had a global pandemic of course more people will be sick after that). However Liz Kendall, The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions felt people were ‘taking the mickey’ in her words when it came to sickness benefits (you should look at her wage, her husband’s wage, the house the own and then the expenses she claims out of tax payers money - that’s taking the mickey in my opinion). Anyway I feel that there were other ways the government could have saved a few billion pounds, like reducing MP’s wages, reducing the amount they can claim on expenses or stopping this entirely, taxing the well off in society more, going after large corporations that don’t pay their taxes, tacking the crisis we have with people coming here on boats, the about we spend in the Foreign Ministry on other countries sorting them out when our own country is a mess. (When I read Rory Stewart’s book I was shocked at how much the Foreign Ministry spend.) This is all my own opinion of course but I just feel that the government could have chose to do a lot more than target the disabled who are the most vulnerable and most likely to live in poverty (Disability Rights UK).

Book review: ‘The Secret Doctor’ by Dr Max Skittle

How I rated this book: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = 5/5!

I haven’t done a book review in quite a while so I thought I’d review one of the latest books I’ve just finished. I listened to this book on Listening Books - you can see my post about free listening libraries here.

Dr Max Skittle is a pseudonym hence the title ‘The Secret Doctor’. Max implies he’s a male doctor and throughout the book he is a male doctor with a wife but who knows Max could be short for Maxine so I won’t assume the author is male or female as I really don’t know.

The book follows the year in the life an inner city GP (General Practitioner) in the UK. The book is in the form of a diary and the author writes about his day to day work and family life. It was quite a humerus book and I enjoyed the funny stories and inner thoughts the author had about their patients. It made me wonder what my GP thinks and makes of me.

For confidentiality the author obviously had to change details about his patients but it was still really interesting and funny, especially some of his regular patients written about or some of the cases that he saw.

As well as the year long diary the author also wrote about their journey into becoming a GP. Deciding to study medicine then medical school. Then the different levels of training and the placements they did once they’d graduated from medical school. Then their decision to become a GP, and their training to become a GP. In all of that are stories of patients and their life. It was quite interesting to hear about all of their training and education and the different specialties they had to experience. I already knew quite a lot but it made me appreciate how throughly experienced UK doctors are and with GP’s the different specialities they have to experience to qualify. So in reality they do have some experience in different specialities despite in their job as a GP dealing with anything and everything.

Another aspect of the book that was interesting was when the author worked as a private GP. It was interesting and sometimes funny the clients he saw when briefly working that particular job. Plus how sometimes money comes before medicine in private healthcare.

The author also writes ongoing in his diary about his home life too with his wife who is pregnant who gave birth to a baby over course of the year in the book. It was funny reading some of the things he wrote about his child, like observations about what babies do and the time they panic bought every type of thermometer there is at the pharmacy. It was also lovely to hear the love the author has for their child and partner in the book too.

At the end of the book the author also gave a really good overview of the COVID pandemic and the effect this had on them as a GP and also wider on the UK’s National Health Service and also on a more global scale. He gave a good tribute to key workers in the UK and those who had to shield because of their vulnerability to COVID and the effects lockdown had on country as a whole. It was interesting to hear how the author had to work as a GP during pandemic and how things changed such as what patients were making appointments for during the pandemic.

As you probably guessed from the rating I gave this book I throughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. 

I do quite like books that are true life accounts of different people’s life’s and professions from healthcare workers in all settings including one book the was a doctor who worked at an airport, prison staff including prison teachers, showbiz reporters, taxi drivers, police officers and more. It’s a book genre I find quite interesting among other book genres.

‘The Secret Doctor’ was previously titled ‘The Secret GP’ so if you’re looking for it you may need to search for it under this title (it’s titled this on Amazon). It is also available on Audible if you want to listen to it, but do check out Listening Books and see if you’re eligible to join. As well it’s also available to buy on Kindle and as a physical copy.