Tears (of joy) when dreams really do come true...

 Tears (of joy) when dreams really do come true...

If you haven't seen the beginning of my wheely big problem journey then go and read here first: 

https://creativelydifferentparenting.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-wheely-big-problem.html 


Today was prototype testing day. Marc from Cirencester Fabrication Services had worked some insane magic and together with Max and Richard had turned his design and my vision into reality. 

Words can not describe the joy I felt as I was presented with a working prototype model of the attachment for my wheelchair which will allow me to experience all that other parents get to do - to push their child in a pram. It sounds such a simple request, but after hours spent googling, reading blog posts and contacting numerous companies, engineers and colleges to try to get my dream turned into reality I had lost all hope. 


To be quite honest, even when a couple of months ago Marc insisted it wasn't a dream too unreachable, I didn't believe him. The thoughts in my head of what could be made which would be practical, safe and functional for the job, was far from the vision to which Marc presented me. It was hard to visualize when he discussed original options with me and so to be presented today with a working prototype which ticks EVERY box of my requirements filed me with joy, to the point that I had to try to hold my tears back.

The basic design is fairly simple. A tri point fixing onto my wheelchair with lighting rig style attachments strong enough for the weight of the job, but easy enough for me to unscrew and remove to get the frame completely detached from the chair. Together with a bracket which holds a universal style car seat and also twists so that baby can sit next to me or to allow me to safely get out of the wheelchair (once the car seat bit has been removed). It's ingenious!

When you live with disabilities on a day to day basis, you come across problems all the time, simple things which make the day difficult. This will enable me to show my baby off just like everyone else and to feel like a "normal" mum. The next stage is manufacture of the final product, coating and painting. I cant wait to share the finished item with you all, and then to proudly transport myself around The Cotswolds knowing my baby is safe and pushed in style when he or she arrives in April.


Special thanks to Marc, Richard and Max from Cirencester Fabrication Services. I now know that dreams really can come true...



Comments

  1. Unknown10 February 2022 at 10:22

    Really glad you liked the prototype Laura.
    At CFS we love a challenge, but we love helping a deserving individual even more. Nothing is impossible with the right tools and a little imagination 😉

    ReplyDelete

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