Powered wheelchair user Amy, who lives with multiple sclerosis, has a sky-high ambition. She is close to realising her dream of becoming a qualified pilot, thanks to the freedom her Drive From Wheelchair Ford Tourneo Connect conversion has given her.
She first became interested in flying after a chance conversation with Aerobility - a charity offering disabled people adapted flying lessons - at the Naidex show. That led Amy to drive down in her Ford Tourneo Connect for an introductory flight at their base at Blackbushe Airport in Surrey.
Flying high
After that first flight, Amy, 56, was hooked, and her exciting new adventure took off. With impressive determination, she has now clocked up the required number of flying hours to gain her pilot's licence and is now in the process of taking her final pilot exams. Amy is very proud of her role in flying the flag for women in aviation and is full of praise for the support she has received from the British Women Pilots' Association, which she says has been brilliant.
The conversion by Sirus Mobility has been transformative in other ways too. Amy's schedule is now packed with volunteer work for charities and organisations, including helping out as a health champion at a GP surgery and being on several Surrey Police advisory panels.
Transformative conversion
"In my previous wheelchair-accessible vehicle, I sat in the back and was in so much discomfort. I just dreaded going out because it was so painful. When I started driving my new vehicle, my pain levels improved within a week," says Amy.
Drive From Wheelchair vehicles are the most complex WAV conversions to build as most of the existing floor in the base vehicle is taken out and replaced with a flat surface that allows the wheelchair user to easily get from the automated tailgate door and ramp to the driving position. There's also the option for the wheelchair user to sit on the front passenger side as the seat can easily be swapped over. The wheelchair user always remains seated, removing the need to be transferred. The Sirus Mobility conversion can seat up to four people, with two rear fold-down seats.
"The great thing about my car is that when I'm really tired or on a really bad day, my daughter can drive me. So we can switch the seats and I go in the passenger seat," she says. Amy had various adaptations to the Ford to accommodate her disability, including a docking station for her wheelchair, raised accelerator, brake pedals and foot box, a cut-out in the parcel shelf and a seat belt extender clipped to the door to make it easier to use. The steering wheel has also been lightened to help Amy, who experiences weakness in her arms. "Just to make sure everything's where it needs to be, the adaptations company measured me and my wheelchair. The car is specifically tailored for me. Everything fits right. How they do it is incredible," she says.
On the road, the Ford is one of the best driving WAV models on the Motability Scheme, with an excellent car-like ride and handling. "Driving the Ford Tourneo Connect was scary the first time because I'd never driven from my wheelchair before. I had to get used to the movement of my wheelchair, as it's on springs. But now I love it," says Amy.
Photos: Carl Rodgerson
