Moosa, 64, from Gloucester is a long-term Motability Scheme customer. He enjoys watching cricket and seeing his grandchildren.
Moosa received an Advance Payment grant for his latest vehicle with wheelchair access and driving adaptations. He credits this grant with being able to provide vital care and mobility support for his wife.
“We couldn’t go anywhere without one of my siblings”
“Having a vehicle with wheelchair access has boosted my independence,” says Moosa, who contracted poliomyelitis at eight months old.
“Previously, I received a grant for a standard vehicle with a hoist to load my manual wheelchair, but I couldn’t go anywhere without my wife helping me use it.
"My wife has her own health issues, and it was causing her knee and back pain lifting it in and out, so this became a problem. We couldn’t go anywhere without one of my siblings.”
“I received an Advance Payment grant from the Motability Foundation.”Moosa
Growing up with a disability
Moosa relocated from India with his family as a child. “I was educated at various schools in England,” he says. “It wasn’t easy, due to my disability - I had difficulty walking - but obtained passes in my CSE exams. In my final year at college, I learned to drive, passing my test in an automatic Mini with hand controls.”
Being able to drive was important to Moosa, professionally. He heard about the Motability Scheme while working at the Gloucester Docks and went to Bristol to be assessed. “They recommended a push and push accelerator and brake pedal assistance in a standard vehicle,” he says. “It was fantastic. For this, I received an Advance Payment grant from the Motability Foundation.”
“This vehicle, where I can use the ramp to get in and drive in my wheelchair, gives me much more freedom.”Moosa
Family first
Moosa has been with the Motability Scheme ever since. Now his mobility has reduced further, he still uses hand controls, but drives from his powered wheelchair.
“This vehicle, where I can use the ramp to get in and drive in my wheelchair, gives me much more freedom. It allows me to transport my wife to vital medical appointments, as well as get to my own. I can attend doctors, dental and hospital appointments without my wife having to get me, or my wheelchair, in and out of the vehicle. Even better, we can get away on our own, without one of our siblings tagging along to help!”
Moosa is only half joking, family is important to him. “I am the youngest of six sisters and three brothers,” he says. “I used to play cricket, table tennis and snooker but, as my health deteriorated, I had to stop. Now, I enjoy watching cricket, studying Islam, and spending time with our grandchildren, who keep us entertained.”
