General Chat

I studied the helpful brochures I received from Motability. I'd need to be on upper Motability allowance from DWD or be disabled out of the forces or be a war veteran.. I am none of the above so I phoned Motability and asked could I use my PWD attendance allowance (lower band) plus a top up from my state pension to qualify for a car. They said no. I was given a telephone number to ring at DWP I spoke to some one there and explained my problem / need.
She said that as I am over 65 I do not qualify.
I'd have thought that as people aged, 50 to 60 to 70 and beyond they would ever more need on a Motability car, so WHY have an age 65 age limit??

I received the Motability brochures in today's post.

Hello David,
I'm glad you applied for your badge, and as you said it can be used while you are in other peoples cars. Handy if you need a lift to hospital, drs , shopping or just day trips.
Anne

Well I've had a look at the Motability site.
Want to know if you have upper limit payment from DWP, the answer is NO
Am a war veteran NO
Am I invalided out of the services No
Disqualifies me at first glance
Should phone them

Ah David, i should have mentioned it , i have had a motability car for a number of years now .. sorry about that

But this car has no special adaptations it is as it is but suits me perfectly, automatic everything, even handbrake and a lovely high seat which makes getting in and out easier..

:-)

Thank you Stella, I will investigate. I thought a mobility car was only for up to age 65
Must look into that again.

Mobility and Age UK

:-D

lol....it took me ages to get used to it i must admit but i could not drive a manual car anymore because of my disabled hands and so i was determined to get used to it.

it's a lazy man's car but suits me and my disabilities fine :-D

Stella, my left leg would be operating the gas and left leg would be stuck out straight in front of me, the dash board in the way

David, i drive an automatic car and you really do not need to use your left leg.

I have a motability car which seems to have automatic everything..even braking lol
and it all comes as standard with no adaptations



:-) <3

Thank you Barbara, that's a good idea, I will check that site when I'm finished on here. I renewed my driver's license last year when I became 70. They are very helpful.

Hello Stella, yes I remember you of course. We communicated on GR years ago.
I do hope you are well <3

David if you ever want to buy a car & drive again there are so many adaptions you could have,even on your steering wheel .you could enquire maybe .don't be afraid to ask .you could get out & about again .I have been driving 51years & have just applied for my licence renewal at 70years old .surprised as did it on the internet .no test .chuffed as I was a bit mithered as to what to do .hope you can get sorted Take care Age UK .have a site adapting your car .might be worth a look .swivel seats .to get in & out & much more x

Hi David,

i am 70 and i tend to come and go on these threads but i would like to say that the community spirit on here is and always has been wonderful.

Sometimes i pop on a thread and don't get noticed but that is usually because the conversation is flowing fast with such enthusiasm that i get left behind lol

So many kind and genuine people on this site ..always has been

<3 <3 <3

Would it be feasible - no idea myself - to get a left-hand drive by automatic car where you could drive with your right foot and keep your left leg straight but out of the way? Just a thought!

Good morning AnotherAnneinGlos (and others)
I successfully applied for the Blue Badge and paid for it online.
Have been advised by them that I can use it if out and about in other peoples cars.
I never knew that.
Still haven't bought another car, not due lack of funds. I have a problem I might not have fully explained.
Due to a series of surgical operations on my left leg the knee is now rigid ie it is inflexible, will not bend.
While there are plenty of spacious cars for sale I've yet to find one that would accommodate my left which would be stretched out straight in front of me while I was driving, the dash board would be in the way

Tell you what, I get a lot more communication
from these threads than I do from my neighbours.

There was a time they would help you if you were sick, lay you out
if you were dead. These days you're lucky if you know their names.

Hello David,
Not sure if you are in the uk but dont forget to apply for the blue badge disability for the car. You don't have to be receiving disibilty benifit to get one. This will able you to park a bit nearer to places so you won't have so far to walk.

My OH would be struggling without his it has allowed him to keep a bit of independance.

Anne

Sylvia, and others, my "good" right knee is arthritic and that's a fact Ive known for years.
I am largely dependant for stability on my R leg which has an OA knee
That's a detail I made DVLA aware of before they assessed me and sent back my licence

Fancy me accidently wrecking my formerly good left one :-(

David ..............

I guess I am lucky re transportation

I live in a big city with good transportation now although that was not always the case back in the 70s ............. it was very much a car culture over here.

I now rarely use the bus because I rarely go out by myself and OH does drive, but I have a bus stop just over 1 block away, all buses are "kneeling" buses to allow elderly, disabled, toddlers and infant strollers to easily board. The bus runs about every 10-15 minutes depending on the time of day. I can go south about 3 bus stops to connect up with one of 3 other routes depending on where I want to go, or go north for the approximately 30 minutes trip downtown.

We also have a Handidart system which you can reserve and which will come to your door to pick you up .......... it's not perfect because there can be waits and it can be impossible to get a bus at very busy times ............ but it's there and very useful for those who cannot otherwise get out.


I've never felt trapped, even though I'm like so many others on here ............ now suffering from OA which causes pain and hampers my movements.

You will soon be on the road David :-D :-D..It has been a long time .Bet you can't wait now :-D :-D

I second that Joylouise. I'm aware Ive had help and assistance from this thread sometimes before ever even thinking of asking for it.

To you and quite a list of names I say THANK YOU <3 <3