Chloe is an active nine year old who is into everything, a bright redhead who’s full of mischief, who loves to socialise and who doesn’t like to be left out of anything. But Chloe has Arthrogryposis. She was born with multiple joint contractures; all of her limbs are badly affected and this severely limits her mobility. This has meant that Chloe has had to use a wheelchair for most of her young life.
Her powered wheelchair is ideal. It gives Chloe a chance to join in with other children on her own terms, and she does not need to be pushed everywhere by an adult. But in the past, if her parents wanted to take her somewhere away from home they could only take the manual chair in the car. Her powered chair is bulky and much too difficult to transport. Any car her parents could afford just did not have the space. That’s where Motability came in.
Motability helped Chloe’s parents purchase a Chrysler Voyager; a vehicle chosen specifically because it has enough room for Chloe’s powered wheelchair. Plus, it has sliding doors that allow the car to be parked in a standard parking space and get the chair in and out with relative ease. The vehicle has been further adapted with portable ramps and straps to fasten the wheelchair securely once inside and this has an added benefit: Chloe can now sit in the middle seat section along with her brother and sister. 
The Motability vehicle has meant that Chloe can be taken to school and after-school activities with her powered chair. Now she can be left to be with her friends, to join in and do the things nine year olds like to do. Chloe has benefited hugely from this new independence. She loves swimming, singing and performing on stage and has recently taken part in both amateur and professional drama productions including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Wizard of Oz.
We were able to provide Chloe’s parents with a car large enough to help transport a powered wheelchair thanks to the generous support of many people. People like you. If you would like to make a donation to support our work and help more people like Chloe, simply visit our Donation Page or call our Supporter Care Line on 0845 166 8786 (Lo-call number, open 9am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday). Your support will help us change lives.