Rural landscapes can be challenging for wheelchair users, but a Yorkshire charity is helping improve access
since he had a car accident more than 20 years ago. He’s in his chair for life, doctors tell him. While Paul’s chair isn’t a barrier to our relationship, there is still a lot of work and research required forWe also find the hustle and bustle overwhelming, preferring the tranquillity of the countryside. Some quiet, rural places have fitted the bill, with plenty of disabled parking, drop-kerbs and step-free entrances.
So, imagine our delight to find that he could access all-terrain Trampers not far from our home in Staffordshire, guided by accessibility experts and free of charge. The Forest of Bowland turned out to be a delight.With ancient oaks, hay meadows, unspoilt villages, farmsteads and moorland, the forest is one of the country’s lesser-known, protected National Landscapes. It sits mostly in Lancashire, aboveand Blackburn, but also spills over into North Yorkshire.
The charity has partnered with the Forest of Bowland to launch two wheelchair hubs, one of which is New Laund Farm in the south of the landscape, where visitors will find a TerrainHopper – a robust, off-road wheelchair – and an off-road Tramper mobility scooter.Excitement seemed to kick the leaves into the air as we set off. The farm sits on a grassy hilltop, from where we travelled down the valley to the river Hodder. It was very steep – something that would usually spark alarm bells for Paul.
Fellow wheelchair walker Michelle explained how TerrainHoppers have transformed her experience. “They perform so well and enable me to move confidently and tackle challenging terrain. I almost forget my disabilities because I’m not held back by them. That’s such a rare and precious thing.”
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