Happy International Wheelchair Day 2026!

My NHS wheelchair

I’m very proud to be part of the wheelchair community. For me I’m an ambulatory wheelchair user, that means that I can stand and mobilise without a wheelchair; when I’m not using my wheelchair I use crutches to help me get around.

However I always use my wheelchair when I go out; sometimes I’ll also use my Batec if I know I’m going to struggle pushing myself. When I had my NHS InvaCare Action 3 wheelchair it was impossible to use inside but my new wheelchair allows me to use it inside. This makes life easier but also much safer as I can’t stand for too long as well I can have a very off-balance gait when walking plus when I stand up I get very dizzy and lightheaded and at times want to faint. So transferring into my wheelchair solves a lot of these problems.

March is a special month for me as last year towards the end of this month I got the delivery of my GTM Mustang wheelchair and the difference it’s made to my life has been incredible especially when I compare it to my previous NHS wheelchair.

My GTM Mustang

For me now my wheelchair means freedom and independence. Some of the customisations make it possible for me to use a manual wheelchair. My chair is very lightweight and I have lightweight Spinergy wheels. The lighter the chair the easier it is to push. I also have CarboLife L push rims with gekko grip which give me a bit of extra pushing power.

I actually like being seen in my wheelchair now and I like being seen as an independent wheelchair user. For example if I’m in a supermarket instead of my PA carrying the basket I’ll have the basket with my shopping in it on my lap thanks to my LapStacker which secures the basket on my lap.

For any wheelchair user I highly recommend getting a LapStacker!

I also love my Batec attachment. It’s a power add-on and since getting it it’s really helped my mental health. Even just getting out around my estate for some fresh air does me wonders. I went out yesterday just for a little ride, I was very glad I wrapped up warm and put my BundleBean on too for added warmth. But just that journey after being in the house for days really helped.

I’ve also done some wheelchair skills training with Freedom Wheelchair Skills. Stuart was a great coach and I learnt a lot and gained more confidence as a wheelchair user. I just need to practice and perfect my ability to do backwards balance (pushing your chair on your back wheels).

My Batec Mini 2

I think I’m very lucky to have my GTM wheelchair and Batec. I’m so grateful for to have them. I’m just taking each day as it comes as maybe in 3 or 5 years my needs might change with my wheelchair and I might need to add something like a SmartDrive to assist me. Who knows.

One of the things I recently highlighted at my local supermarket was the lack of an accessible scan as you shop checkout for wheelchairs. As amazing as my PA is I want to be able to do things for myself rather than rely upon her. We also highlights how the scanners are chosen at random so as a wheelchair user if I was on my own I’d be unable to reach a chosen scanner that was either at the top or at the bottom. The world just definitely isn’t made for wheelchairs but hopefully things are moving forward in the transport industry, in allowing wheelchair users to go on holiday, to access work, entertainment venues, hairdressers, shops, cafés, supermarkets and more.

So, what is International Wheelchair Day all about?

• It was founded in 2008 by Steve Wilkinson
• Today celebrates the freedom and independence wheelchairs bring to the disabled community 
• Today also highlights the need for more provision of wheelchairs and those who don’t have access to one
• Today also highlights the inaccessibility for wheelchair users such as the lack of ramps and lifts as well as more advocacy for wheelchair users