‘Gaps’ in
wheelchair
provision

The Muscular Dystrophy campaign said there are “substantial gaps” in specialist wheelchair provision for people with the condition.

The charity’s new report Get Moving said there is “urgent” need to improve provision of specialist chairs which enable those with the muscle-wasting condition to work, socialise or even carry out simple day-to-day tasks.

The report highlights the case of one patient who suffers from congenital muscular dystrophy who was confined to his bed for almost a month when his powered wheelchair stopped working.

Sulaiman Khan, 28, was unable to get out of bed for 26 days in July.

“Being in bed for the best part of a month really took its toll on my body and my mental health – I can honestly say it was one of the lowest points of my life,” he said.

“Owing to my condition, I have severe scoliosis of the spine and without the right support I am in constant pain.

“These wheelchairs are a necessity, not a luxury – without it I am hugely dependent on other people.”

The report, which collated data from 600 people with muscular dystrophy or their carers, found many are facing waiting times of six months for their first powered wheelchairs or replacement chairs – with 15 per cent waiting more than a year.