My Story

My name is Darren Brook, 50 years old, and I’m severely disabled with peroneal muscular atrophy. This is a progressive, muscle-wasting condition, has no cure and I have other chronic conditions.

I’ve been a full-time wheelchair user for some years now and I’m unable to propel myself. I rely on my wife who has been my full-time carer for a long time now.

I am unable to transfer from wheelchair to car with the result that I can’t access healthcare appointments and my health is declining. There is a lack of patient transport in my area. I need a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV). As with many disabled people, benefits don’t meet the cost of disability and our savings are now exhausted.

The problem is that there is a 10-14 month wait for a Motability WAV which is difficult for someone of my declining physical health and is also causing mental health distress; I need a solution as quickly as possible.

An appropriate WAV would allow me to access healthcare appointments as well as getting out of the house to enjoy life more. I want most of all to be able to visit my Mother, now in a care home, which is impossible for me without suitable transport.

Hiring a WAV, until Motability can supply a suitable vehicle, would be the most cost-effective way since buying would mean having to get insurance (expensive for WAVs), full recovery, pay for tyres, repairs and maintenance and this makes it too costly.

I’m asking, if you are able to help, for a donation to meet the £15,000 hire quote I have been given, to allow me to rent an appropriate WAV until Motability can provide one. This amount would cover the hire cost for one year. If Motability can supply a vehicle before the end of the year then any money I recoup will be donated to the Muscular Dystrophy UK charity.

Help Darren Get Mobile and Access Healthcare

I know times are tough for everyone but if you can spare something, however little, I would be very grateful. I’m very happy to answer any questions you may have.