I joined Slimming World, last year January 2017 and asked if they could weigh me in my wheelchair because I am paraplegic. They had no answer, Weightwatchers had no answer, the local hospital could not help, the wheelchir clinic failed me, so I made my own from plywood, balancing on a real scale from "Poundstretcher". This has worked with reasonable success, but we find that cold and wet weather, causes more or less flexibility in the plywood base and makes readings inaccurate.

My local hospital has no "wheelchair scale",, my local wheelchair clinic will not allow me to use theirs. Local Mobility shops do not have, (or sell) scales. No disabled groups in the area have scales. The nearest scale I can get measured on, is in Northern General Hospital and is 66 miles away in Sheffield. This is the same for ALL wheelchair users in the UK. There is a lack of available facilities available and weighing scales which can weigh wheelchair users, start at around £800. I am sure I can eventually manufacture an all purpose wheelchair weighing scale that retails under £100. I know ther is a market for it and just need help to finalise my design and start manufacture.

It Seems to me that if I can buy a scale with 4 x stress gauges in it, for only £5, then stress gauges are not expensive. Stretching the "platform" from 12" to 36" does not seem like rocket science? There would still be 4 stress gauges involved, just the same? - A wheelchair platform could, therefore, be made that fitted on to the basic Slimming World digital box that sits on the agent's desk? (Other slimming groups may apply)

IfI make a new platform and gradually infiltrated these across the UK, then they can all weigh someone in a wheelchair ... This will assist with the general health and wellbeing of larger disabled people. (Or anyone with health issues and balance problems etc.)

I have developed a design which can be used by all types and sizes of wheelchairs, buggies and prams, comprising sensors to be housed seperately from a digital readout. However, I have yet to find sponsorship to build one. (I intend to also build a smartphone app to be used with the device)

I need £20,000 to complete my design and build an affordable weigh scale for wheelchairs that can be distributed to slimming clubs, hospitals, clinics etc. all over the UK and the world.

(Of course, in order to measure the occupant alone, the buggy can be independently weighed when the occupant is elsewhere - This weight will always be deducted from gross weight in future and in fact the ability for the "reader app" to hold the receptacle weight in a memory for future use, will enable personalised use. Wifi can also be used and if weight watchers or Slimming World can be made to get interested, then an interface to their own scales can be devised.)

I am prepared to make subscribers, shareholders in an international company supplying the scales worldwide wherein you will profit from any commercial gains