Hello! My name is Sarah, I'm 33 years old and I have Cerebral Palsy. I also have, Osteoporosis, Scoliosis and frequent joint dislocations which further contribute to my long-term chronic pain. My husband and I are both full time wheelchair users and whilst our Tooting based home is well adapted to meet our needs, traveling, working away and visiting family presents many additional challenges.

3 years ago I lost all ability to stand or weight-bare. This has made it impossible to transfer without a hoist to lift and move me. this has had a massive impact on me and has prevented me from being able to do many things that most people take for granted.

Sadly, nearly all mobile hoists are unsteady and require a minimum of two people to operate them safely. In addition the design requires space under a bed to be hoisted onto it, which is often not the case in hotels.

Disabled people who like myself, need to use hoists and particularly those who need ceiling track hoists frequently are very restricted in their ability to venture outside of specially adapted homes their owing to inaccessible environments. The lack of ceiling track hoists in away from home accommodation (hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation) severely limits many disabled people’s ability to go away for leisure, business, or important social events.

I have recently started a new job as a disability awareness trainer, this role requires me to travel around the country and staying overnight accommodation.

If I can purchase a portable ceiling track host this will eliminate the difficulties experienced using a traditional mobile hoist and mean that I can work more and enjoy the freedom to be able to go away and visit friends and family who live further away.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and understanding my needs.