If you become or are born differently abled you may well be used to some measure of discrimination and disparity in today’s society. Attitudes of employers and the able bodied public are changing slowly and anti discrimination laws I’m sure go some way to raising awareness and changing attitudes however, lets be honest here, it can still be extremely difficult for any one with a disability to get around in many public places and items like powered wheelchairs are not a luxury but an essential item to own for many.

No one ever seems to acknowledge or discuss the monetary strain that having a disability can impose on a person or on the family budget. Having to purchase, a mobility scooter, an electric wheel chair, wheelchair ramps, walking aids, assistive furniture, and even disposable personal care products can all add up to costing a small fortune. To be frank, these are not luxury items but a necessity for some and this is a cost that no able bodied person has to face or take into account.

Whist some monetary assistance is available, it rarely cover all costs and you may find yourself as a disabled person having to choose between having one essential item that you need and having to for go another. Sometimes there simply is not enough money to go round to cover all your needs and mobility accessories. Extreme strain on budget may apply if for example: you may have a growing pre-teen with a disability that is simply growing out of certain essential mobility products at an alarming rate, or even by taking part in sports and living their life to the full they are ‘hammering’ their aids and they need to be replaced on a regular basis.

You may be temporarily in need of certain high priced products that would make you life bearable- but you hold back on them as you are unsure if they are worth the financial commitment to you, as you are unsure of just how long you will need them before recovery, you may have a family member or friend who has suddenly found themselves with restricted mobility for the very first time and need to be kitted out fast with absolutely every available aid around and are panicking about the huge costs of providing for them…life shouldn’t be this way and in an ideal world everyone would have all their needs met but there are ways of making funds stretch a little further- when it comes to your mobility needs.

It is always cheaper to purchase many personal care items in bulk, you may find you are able to get items as much as fifty percent off by doing so. So differently abled groups have got together and bought certain items in bulk and then split them between the members, this can save an absolute fortune, so consider it. You can use the money that you save for other items that you need instead of paying full price this way. For larger items and such as manual or electric powered chairs, have you ever considered buying pre-owned items?

Many people find they have children and teens that they buy these items for new, only to find they grow out of them before barely getting any use out of them at all. Some people have purchased expensive ’state of the art’ items to find that they recover their mobility sufficiently to not need them anymore soon after purchase or that they have moved home and an item will no longer fit or is appropriate for their new living conditions- many pre-owned safety, walking and mobility aids can be found in near new condition and at a fraction of the price for purchase, some still under warranty!

Always check the condition of items, ask the owner questions about usage, warranties, sizes, servicing and new parts before purchase. Check before hand that for example the electric wheelchair that you plan to purchase (brand new or pre-owned) is fit for your requirements. If you don’t rush in and check before you buy, this can be an extremely cost effective exercise. So remember, buying in bulk, considering pre-owned or even swapping items among and with your differently abled friends can help go some way to evening out the disparity in monetary costs that you may face and lowering the previously shocking costs of coping with a disability. Be sure to check out your local groups, government grants, your insurances and any foundation for the disabled in your local area and claim first, for anything that you may be entitled to.

For more information visit Electric Wheelchair