Down But Not Out

12 June 08

Down but not out

by Rachel Kerry BBC

A 60-year-old wheelchair user said she is "gutted" after calling off her attempt to travel the length of Britain but said she is determined to take on more challenges.

You can hear the disappointment in Mary Laver's voice.

She had originally planned to spend June 2008 attempting to travel from Lands End to John O'Groats in a powered wheelchair. But after completing just a day of the ambitious challenge, she made the tough decision to stop after realising there were not enough people in the care team to be able to cope with the demands.

Back at her Forest Hall home, Mary is clearly hugely disappointed by the setback but said it has made her more determined than ever to take on new adventures.

More determined
She said: "It came down to the amount of support needed. When people had to go back, there were just two carers left and they just couldn't do it.

"I am gutted. I still desperately want to do it. It is just a case of getting back on the bike if you can. "If I can get the support then I will go back and go for it. If someone came to me I would go tomorrow.

Everything is in place.

"To be honest it has probably made me more determined to do it."
Mary said she is now looking at building up a team of carers and is appealing for anyone who is interested to get in touch. She said she probably needs a minimum of four and preferably five.
If she can find them, she said she will try again. In the meantime she is looking at the possibility of travelling from Edinburgh to John O'Groats in her wheelchair.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Mary had spent months planning for the challenge and was using it to raise money for the North East-founded Kenya Acorn Project.

Mary said she wants to try again
At the beginning of April 2008, Mary collected the powered wheelchair she was going to use.
The 60-year-old has used a wheelchair for about 19 years. She developed rheumatoid arthritis when she was 26 and her condition suddenly deteriorated in her early 40s.
She has replacement elbows and knees meaning she is wheelchair dependent and is also partially sighted.

Mary said: "When you are sitting here, if I don't have a challenge, if I don't have something to work towards I go mad.

"I have to have a light at the end of the tunnel."
And she is no stranger to challenges - she will be participating in her 12th Great North Run in 2008 by being pushed in her wheelchair by friends.

Zest for life
But she had said the Lands End to John O'Groats attempt would have been something completely different.

Mary used her savings and renegotiated her mortgage to buy the van and the wheelchair for the challenge. The wheelchair she bought is an Alber Adventure which she controls with a joystick.
After she picked it up at the beginning of April, Mary trained in the chair to get used to spending hours in it and to things like the vibration and "getting her mind and body" ready for it.

She calls the chair 'the liberator' because of the feeling of freedom it has given her.

Mary said despite suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, she is not in pain as she manages it with her diet. She has written a book on the subject.

One of those who went on the trip with Mary was one of her carers Claire Goble.
Speaking before they left, Claire spoke of Mary's zest for life and her motivation.

Rachel Kerr BBC Tyne Tel: 0191 2441241 www.bbc.co.uk/tyne

Plan B

08 June 2008

I've not failed but we've had to go to plan B

We got off to a great start however as the group thinned out, with one or two of those who started out with us needing to return to Newcastle for one reason or another, the amount of work involved was too much for just two carers with taking everything down each morning and setting it up again that same night at the new camp site. Whilst we had an independent cyclist with us, the pressure was off a little however that was still with 3 carers and two of them were in the van driving support and changing my batteries on strange roads.

Day 2 we took off and stayed put intending to leap frog that particular stretch and did an appeal on Radio Cornwall. Unfortunately it didn't bear fruit but it wasn't for a lack of trying., at least we gave it our best shot! We did however meet Hannah, who graciously helped us out by caring for me that night and Mandy and Dave who offered to help us pack away and set up again next day if we continued from Camelford to Bideford but the sea mists had been rolling in and Wendy wondered if what happened to her might happen to us in which case she felt it would be too dangerous with visibility down to 10 metres.

So we headed home. I didn't feel so clever so we stopped off momentarily to get me checked over and the end result is that I am now back in Newcastle. However on good advice I am now trying to pick up the pieces a little and plan on heading north again from here in a couple of weeks time hopefully but this time on the east side of the country instead of crossing back across to Carlisle. Nothing is set in concrete at the moment however this may just become a recce and then start afresh fully September a year, calling this a practice run so I know the pitfalls to avoid ........... if I can, I certainly will! Watch this space as it were .......

The Nigfht Before We Leave.

29 May 2008

It is 21.45

Well that is it, the van is packed, team members are in bed ready for an early start, and Megan is going on a 1000 mile walkies. All the planning, all the highs and lows to get us, the team, to this point, the night before we leave to attempt the E2E in an Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair.

I would like to say a very big and sincere thank you to all of my team for their support and without whom this challenge would not been taking place.

Being as disabled as I am with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I cannot use a manual wheelchair, which means that to take on any challenge I have to use an electric power wheelchair. This small point is something people cannot grasp. They think that I am cheating, by using power.

My chosen charity KAP is worthy of every mile I drive the Alber; I will do everything in my power to promote the work of this charity, and no that the money raised will be put to a very good project.

To you Elaine in SA, you sent me an email of the problems that your country is going through. Thank you for your support over the past few months, I will give you love to Cornwall. If you decide that it is okay to join us at any stage along the route, we have a place reserved for you.

My computer is now been switched off for, I hope, the next 31 days.

To you all good night and God Bless.

Mary

Last Entry Before We Go

29 May 2008

The house is very quite

It is 0800 hrs, three days and two hours before the gun goes off, and the house is very quite, the pups are now with Moira’s. When Moira came to pick them up, they got very excited at seeing her, especially when they noticed their bedding and toys going into her car. They were at the gate barking as if to remind her that she was not to forget them. I know that they will be having a very good holiday, as trips to the beach, town more and other places I do not take them, is on their cards.

Picture of 2 children bring home water for the household for the day. Would your children do this for you! Please support the worke of KAP

So how am I feeling right now? A mixture of excitement and anger. Let’s deal with the negative side the anger first. I am still very angry at the way Arthritis Care treated me and the way they pulled out at the last minute. When I asked AC if they would be my chosen charity, they said yes with both hands. I turned down smaller charities of the PDSA, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Hearing Dog, why, because I could talk about arthritis and the work of AC with conviction, but I had very little knowledge of the work of the others.

What AC were going to do for me, was what I would expect from the number one UK charity, well that is what they call themselves. I have just been going through their emails; I was going to put 2 on this blog, but chose not to. Maybe another day or if I write a book, I will put them in that, and it makes my so mad to have been treated like I have been by the No 1 charity, well they are not the No 1 charity in my eyes any more, infact, they are not even on the bottom runner. I would much rather they have said no when I approached them, than do what they did at the last minute, To AC I say the challenge is still going on despite you and not because of you.

Now that I have got the negative out of the way, the positive. Muriel Armstrong from Kenya Acorn Project, a charity I have been closely involved with for about 2 years now. as you know, stepped in as my chosen charity, at the last munuite, and have been a great support to me and the team. She has worked here with me to make sure I have as much information I can about the work of KAP. Spent an evening putting logos on the tee-shirts. Last night, she was quite as she was cutting out the thank you cards that will be given out along the route.

My packing is now done, all that now needs to be sorted is the general pack of the van, parts for Alber, and we have 6 more batteries, tyres, ect. Then there are the tents. As I cannot get into the one I bought, there is a lip at all the doors to stop wheelchairs and rain getting in, we have been to Argos and bought a 4 man wigwam tent. We went with this one as it has the height in the middle for the hoist... The plan is that we shall use the WW tent for me and general use. The one on night shift to look after me during the night will sleep in this one with me, and the others will sleep in the other 4 man tent. Megan will where ever Clair is.

Today all of my team will be here at some time doing something. The van will be packed by Clair, Margaret will seeing to any paperwork and clean any equipment that we are taking, i.e. the commode. Pauline will be looking after me and taking me to town for lat minute mobile phone top ups, the buy a birthday present for my best friend whom becomes a pensioner while I am away, the big 60. Happy Birthday Joan. This evening Emmanuelle will go through all the paperwork to see that we have everything in the folder, then it is bed and I shall start getting up at 0330 so we slip out mooring at 0500.

The next time I will write on the blog with be from my tent on Cornwall.

Bye for now.

.

Alber Gets Ready for the Road

27 May 2008

Alber now ready for the road

Today Alber had his finishing touches to get him ready for the road. Footplates were readjusted, hand control aliened, flashing light put in place and Clair had a good grounding in how to keep Alber in good shape for the challenge ahead. We also have all the spare parts that we are ever going to need. Thanks Gerald-simonds for all of your support through the planning of this challenge. All he now needs is the hands free Drinkup Bottle on his back

Today it was decided to change to a different tent, wigwam type, as I cannot get in the other one, There is a ledge to get over and I cannot do that in the chair without damaging the tent itself. I only hope the supplier will let me return it and get my money back

I have also been in touch with touch with Sue from Heart of the South Care. Sue is joining me with one other for part of Stage 1. Thanks Sue.

So now all that remains is for the pups to go to Moira tomorrow, to make sure all the paperwork is in place, pack the van, and go. We leave here at 5 am on Friday.

I am feeling very tearful at the moment as things are getting on top of me, and my best friend is not at home to tell all to; that is what best friends do.

That sense of excitement is not there yet. When we arrive in Lands End, and get the tent up for the first night, I may just get excited. I just want to get on the road, get the first 3 days out of the way, then I shall start to relax, because all the planning is over with, it is just the doing. When we get to John O’Groats that will be for me, the best feeling ever…

So before I break into tears, I am going to close and wish you all a very good night…

..

Tip-toeing to Mary

Anything That Can Go Wrong Will Go Wrong

26 May 2008

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong

The above saying is a very famous saying, and the last few days have proven that.

RIGHT, ONE OF KAPS CLINICS

To start off the week, a new bike I bought last October from a top bike shop here in Newcastle, one of my team took into my local bike shop to have a wing mirror attached. I very quickly received a phone from said bike shop to tell me that who ever made up the bike had put the front forks on backwards; and had not put the brake leavers in the right place. As I did not have time to take the said bike back to the original bike shop I asked that this was put right, £20 it cost me. The most annoying thing was, the manager of said bike shop was informed by the bike shop and has not even apologized. If I have time, I am going to bend the ear of said bike shop.

Next my plans for Friday were shot in the foot; Clair was advised to have her wisdom tooth out this week and not next. This meant that she could not be at the tent putting up. We also discovered that the screen wash does not work. That now has to be seen to.

Last night it was logo putting on tee-shirts time. This task we failed miserably with, this means to day a trip to PC World for some more transfer paper. Wasted a very variable day

The list goes on.

On Sunday I addressed my church, thanking them for their prays and support over the past few months, and I found that I had to fight back the tears. Not what I expected. Not what I expected. I am now saying to people; see you when I get back. This time next week I shall be on day 2, I wonder what I shall be writing in the blog! I am now getting the butterflies in my tum. What we are going to attempt just does not seem real yet. I will believe it next Saturday when I am at LE and Sunday at 1000 when the gun goes off. They say that every great journey starts with one small step. I hope on 29th June 08 I can say that and that we did it.

…

Heart of the South Care Company

23 May 2008

Heart of the South Care Company join our team

Four weeks ago I received and email from Sue at Heart of the South Care Company saying she had read my blog and could she help in any way. Sue is now on my Christmas card list. Why? Because true to her word, two of her care team are helping with the Cornwall leg. Thanks Sue.

We now can say, with I hope Elaine from South Africa; we have a full, yes I did say full of 4 all the way from Lands End to John O’Groats.

I am sure that some of you will not have a faith, but without my faith, my church of St. Andrews including me in their prayers, my friends and some strangers like Sue, Wendy and Elaine, people whom I have never meet, believing in me, the campsite owners and the Caravan Club; this combination of people who have kept their faith in me, this challenge may not have got as far in the planning as it has. Mix this all up together and the final result is that I shall be at the starting line at 10.00 on Sunday 1st June to start a journey that I, and a lot of people could only dream of.

Can you imagine what adventure lies ahead of me and the team? The places I shall visit, the people we shall meet, our nature in all its glory is shall experience. The ups and down of emotions we shall all experience. I can only surmise the feeling inside when we cross the finishing line at John O’Groats.

I shall be sharing this amazing journey with you on this blog. Please do leave your comments and emails, if you want to chat you have my mobile number. But please no phone calls after 2100 hrs as I shall switch off then but back on the air at 0800.

Before closing this page of the blog, I would like to add that the moment we cross the starting line at Lands End, the team will be fundraising and promoting the work of the Kenya Acorn Project, so please do start to visit the JustGiving web page and make a donation to the wonderful work they do for people or are not as lucky as we are. Sometimes we need to be reminded how lucky we are to love in this country and are free to do the E2E.

My House Is Like A Tip!

23 May 2008

My house is like a tip.

As you can imagine my hose looks like a tip. I have equipment, files, holdalls, ect, ect all over the place. You can tell we are on the final 9 days.

So what is there left to do?
During the next four days I have to...
Put all the logos on the tee-shirts, about 40 in all.
Put the tent up, this has not been done yet.
Get a hook up lead extension
Get and install one of the boxes you put on the roof of the van
Get all the mobiles and computer topped up
Contact care company to see if they have had any luck with finding help.
During next week there is...
Rehearsal of packing the van
Pack my bags
check out we have enough food for the first 4 days and pack it
The pups go out with Moria some more times. Thursday they go out for a walk with her and do not come back.
Recheck the paperwork.
Tuesday is final sitting and instruction for the Alber Adventure
Nearly forgot. I will try and get some training in Alber.

After all the work and money that has been put into this challenge I had better…….do it otherwise I shall be very mad with myself.

Now just one more campsite to make sure it is booked. Almost forgot that one.

Bye for now

Help Urgently Required

23 May 2008

Urgent Help Required Stage 1

Yes readers, I urgently require help for stage 1. Not personal care.

Can you put up a tent, make meals? In exchange for all this hard work we shall feed you good food; after all you are cooking it and put a roof over your head in the form of a tent.

Interested then please email me or ring ASAP.

Thanks

Drinkup

22 May 08

Drinking from my chair hands free

Being as disabled as i am, i cannot use my hands or my legs, my big problem is having a drink, unaided, while in my chair. Here in my home that is not a problem as i use a Drinkup that is on an accessable table. While out on the challenge this will be a different story. If i wish to take a drink, while on the move or stopted without going through all the fuss of someone stopping getting a mug out of a rucksack with a straw in and then giving it to me, packing it away after my use. I think you get the picture.

Well at the 11th hour Drinkup seem to have solved this problem and i will be testing the device on the challenge.

So if you wish to know more then please contact Chris Adams at

Chris Adams
Managing Director
Adret Gibs Ltd

Tel: +44 (0)1992632347
Mobile + (0)7836317472
chris@adretgibs.com
http://www.drinkup.uk.com/

Adret Gibs Ltd
6 Dacre Estate
Fieldings Road
Cheshunt
Hertfordshire
EN8 9TJ
UK

Campsite Bookings

21 May 2008

Camping Sites.

As you can read, these camp sites have to confirm and be doubled checked. No room for mistakes at this late stage.


1. Land’s end
Treveda Farm
Tel: 01736 871835
Ref: 24747 6 adults £33
Deposit of £25
Sat 31st May

2. Perranporth
Tollgate farm caravan
Tollgate Farm
Budnick Hill
Perranporth,
Cornwall,
TR6 0AD Tel: 01872 572130
Sun 1st June

3. Headland Caravan Park
Tintagel
Tel 01840772039
Mon 2nd June

4. Bideford
Damage Barton
The Warden
Mortehoe
Woolacombe
EX34 7EJ
Tel: 01271870502
Tues 3rd June

5. Minehead
Burrowhayes Camping site
West Luccombe
Porlock
Minehead
Somerset
TA24 8HUTel: 01643862463
Wed 4th June

6. Cheddar
Caravan Club Site
Gas House Lane
Draycott Road
Cheddar
BS27 3RL
Tel 01934 740207
Thurs 5th June

7. Bristol
Oak Farm,
Weston Rd,
Congresbury,
Bristol,
Avon BS49, UK
Tel: 01934833246
Frid 6th June

8. Cheltenham
Tewkesbury Abbey,
Gander Lane,
Tewkesbury okay
Tel: 01684294035
Booking code: TEW
Sat 7th June

9. Kidderminster
Stanmore Hall touring Park
Stourbridge Road
Bridgnorth
Shropshire
WV15 6DT
Tel: 01743340868
Sun 8th June

10. Shrewbury
Stanmore Hall touring Park
Stourbridge Road
Bridgnorth
Shropshire
WV15 6DT
Tel: 01743340868
Mon 9th June


11. Chester
Chester Fairoaks
Rake Lane
Little Stanney
Chester CH2 4HS
Tel 01513551600
Booking code: CFO
Tue 10th June


12. Blackpool
Six Arches Caravan Park
Scorton
Garstang
Preston
Lancashire
PR3 1AL
Tel: 01524791683
Wed 11th/ Thurs 12th June day off
61st Birthday2 nights


13. Kendal
Kendal Camping and caravanning club site
Millcrest,
Kendal,
LA9 6NY
Tel: 01539741363
Frid 13th June

14. Carlisle
Dandy Dinmont Caravan and Camping Park
Blackford
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA6 4EA
Tel: 01228674611
Sat 14th June

15. Dumfries
Southerness Holidays Village
Southerness by Dumfries
Dumfries and Galloway
DG2 8AZ
Tel: 01387880256
Sun 15th June


16.17Cumnock/Ayr
Sundrum Castle Holiday Park
Coylton
Ayr
Ayrshire
KA6 6HXTel: 01292570057
Mon 16th June/Tue 17th June

18. Glasgow .2 nights
Craigendmuir
Camping & Touring Park
Craigendmuir
Park Stepps
Glasgow
G33 6AF
Tel: 01417794159
Wed 18th June/Thur 19th June

19. Trossachs Holiday Park
By Aberfoyle
Stirlingshire
FK8 3SA
Tel: 01877 382 614
Fax:01877 382 732
0800 197 1192
Frid 20 June
No disabled facilities

20. Glencoe
Glencoe Camping and caravanning site
Ballachulish
Argyll
PH49 4LA
Tel: 01855811397
Sat 21nd June

21. Gairlochy
Linnhe Lochside Holidays
Corpach
Fort William
(18 minutes from Gairlochy)
Ref T23/6 £24.50
Tel: 01397772376
Sun 22rd June

22. Borlum Farm
Drumnadrochit,
Inverness,
Highlands,
IV63 6XN
Tel: 01456450220
Mon 23th June

23. Dingwall
Black Rock
Evanton Dingwall
Invernessshire
Tel:01349830917
Tue 24th June

24. Brora
BroraHighlands KW9 6LP
Tel 01408 621479
Wed 25th June

25. Bettyhill
Craigdhu Caravan Site
CBettyhill
Thurso
KW14 7SP
Tel: 01641521273
Thur 26th June

26. Thurso
Thurso Caravan and camping Park
Scrabster Road
Thurso
Highlands
KW14 7JY
Tel: 01847895782
Frid 27th June

27. John O’Groats
John O’Groats caravan site
Caithness
KW1 4YR
Tel :01955611329
Sat 28th June

Alber& Me

20 May 2008

Alber & Me

Alber and I have been together now for about 4 weeks, so how are we getting on as a team?

As with any new piece of equipment and I must remind myself sometimes, that all Alber is, is a piece of equipment, I have panicked when a sound I did not hear before I suddenly hear. When I notice something on the control panel that I did not notice before or when something just does not feel right, as my emails to Sigrid Beiter in Germany and Graham Jeffery at Gerald-Simonds bare out. Now that I know how Alber thinks, sounds and works, my emails have got a lot less, and I have grown more confident in Alber and I hope he in me.

I am going to be sitting in Alber for an average of 40 miles per day, at say an average of 5.5 to 6 mph, say between 6 to 7 hours of actual moving time, per day. To see that, you could say that as I am starting at 0900 each day, if I was not to stop, I would be travelling until 1500. But we are going to stop regularly. Jack Adams told me very early on in the planning to stop every hour for 10 mins if you need it or not, because by the end of the day, you will wish you have. This advice I am taking on board and will be doing, give or take a minute or two... There is 1 more hour to add, that brings us to 1600 hrs; and then there is lunch between 45 to 60 mins that takes us up to 1700. This is when the traffic is heavy, so we may stop for an hour, pop over to the camp site, put up the tent, then come back and finish the days run say at 1900.

Now we all know that I have done this on an average mileage and average speed, so these times are not spot on, but are only as guidance for me, my team, and you my readers. I dare say you are already working it out yourself. Must add, that the batteries will have to be change twice per day, but that can be done in a break quite easily.

Now you can see that Alber and I have to feel very comfortable with each other. So what am I doing to make sure Alber has the best chance of doing the trip?
Weight is of prim importance, so I have to keep an eye on my own personal body weight. When Alber was ordered, I was asked my weight so the knew which suspension to put on. I am about 9 st.

Next we are not carrying any thing on board Alber such as wet gear, extra water; the cyclist will have that in the saddle bag, I am hoping to have some form of water drinking device on board so I can drink as I go along. Gerald-Simonds are putting on the back of Alber an orange flashing warning light with sola energy to charge it. We shall also have as much light weight warning signs as possible; this will properly be an orange waist coat across the back of the seat. Other than my safety gear I am wearing , and no I am not going naked, but one couple did attempt the E2E naked, I tell the truth, details are on the web and the TV did some coverage, remember it now! that is all the weight, ups forgot two things, my mobile and radio, must have radio 4 with me, is all Alber will have to carry.

For my own personal comfort I have been looking at gloves, joystick control knobs cushions, and wet gear.

To prevent pressure sores, the worst enemy of any wheelchair user, and hand on my heart, I have only had one pressure sore, ever, and that was a very long time ago on my left elbow, but I will not go there, I have com to the conclusion that ‘change is as good as a rest’ I am taking 3 different cushions with me to change during the day. I have three control knobs and different combinations of gloves. I am at the moment trying the golf ball, which Jack my JR, thinks is for him to play with and barks at the Alber for someone to give it to him, he of course does not get it. I am also trying out Global Leather figureless mitts. These I find have padding all over and are best for the hand control. I do wear cotton gloves as well as my hands do not have much mussel on them.

For wet weather I have kept away from the traditional all over cap and opted for a leg bag and cycle cap with a scarf or small towel around my neck to stop the rain getting in.

The cycle cap may seem a strange choice, but it covers me and the hand control had a waist strap and two loops inside to enable me to hold down the cap in winds. Also for safety it is bright yellow. Why cant we have wheelchair covers that are florescent and bright beats me.

So there you have it, one very happy Alber and Alber rider. I hope you found this information of help and interest.

Team, Team Building

17 May 2008

Team. Team building.

This challenge would not be happing without a team of people behind me. None person is great than the whole team. The individual team members are the building blocks of this whole challenge.

They all have different reasons as to why they want to take time away from their homes to be on the challenge. They all have different jobs and responsibilities within the team. These jobs and responsibilities were not given to them at the start of planning this challenge; they grew into them as they took their part within the planning of the challenge. I will give you, no I will not give you, an example of what I mean, because of all the team members, none team member stands out above the others, except of course Megan the dog! She has four legs and a wet nose.

Building us together as a team has happened in many ways, some I have already mentioned, people finding their notch within the team and taking on a task they feel comfortable with, and with full commitment. Some, I hope, I have played a part in. Only the team members can answer that truth of that statement

One way I feel that can help us to gel as a team is to look like each other. This we can achieve by wearing a team uniform. We are all wearing black tee-shirts with the E2E and KAP logos on. We shall also be wearing black or dark blue shorts or trousers, while we are on the road doing the challenge. This uniform will also be worn for any media interviews. You can see an illustration of the team kit in the photograph with this blog entry.

To also help to keep the team thinking about our goal, we shall have team meeting each evening while downing a beer in the local hostelry. (Pub). We shall discuss how the day went; listen to any recommendations about the next day’s route from any local people. None knows where we are going better than the people who live in the area.

We shall remind ourselves that we are there first and foremost to achieve a goal, that goal is taking the Alber Adventure, with me at its helm, from one end of the UK to the other in 29 days. This has to be, at all times, our main focus.

We are secondly there to have an experience that will properly change our lives, and possible the lives of people we shall come in contact with along the route, and those we shall never meet, because of what we are doing. If we make it to the end, I know it will change my life, and I will come home 1 year older as I am 61 while on the challenge. I hope it will change the lives of the team members. Only they can answer that.

To help us keep fit, rest is very important, and whether we wish to or not, it is lights out and we shall call it a day and go to bed at 2200 hrs as our day starts at 0600. Good food and the right amount of rest and in my case good, personal hygiene, is essential to the fitness of the team.

What each of us, as individuals, gets from the challenge is up to each of us. We shall have our own private thoughts as we think about things as we pass the miles away, some we shall share, some we will not. Megan, out dog mascot, I wonder what she will make of it all. Walkies will have a whole new meaning!

To close, I hope that everyone of my team take the opportunity they are about to be given, and I include myself in that: grasp it by both hands, and hang on to every moment, they will never relive that moment again. I will try, and with Gods help, to make it to John O’Groats and that bacon and tomato sandwich that will be waiting for me as I cross the finishing line. I have asked my good friend Joan, who is a staunch vegetarian, to be there at the other side of the line to give it to me. White bread of course!

Also at the finishing line, besides my team members for stage 4 will be, Pauline, who is doing stage 1&2, Muriel from KAP, Wendy, Hazel, and I hope Emmanuelle and a few faces that I may or may not know except by this blog. If you are one of my blog readers and there are quite a few of you, please make yourself known to me. If you are a past boyfriend called Ric or a Philip, you are especially welcome. I know one person who reads this blog regularly and would love to be with us as our cyclist, and that is Elaine from South Africa, to you Elian, I say you will be there with us, and I shall raise a glass to you. Thanks for all your support and emails over the past few months. Hers to you kid!

So there you have it, my thoughts on the team and team building.

Before I close, one question I get asked and I ask myself, what happens, for what ever reason, we cannot complete the challenge, do we stop or carry on to the end in the time scale I have set, staying every night where we have booked into.

The answer has to depend on how the team feels and would they prefer to stay or go home. What I am trying to say is, the answer will depend on health of the team and if the team, with sufficient team members, wish to carry on. We will all feel like a balloon that has just had all its air let out. Could we face seeing and been at out goal with that sense of failure that will be inside. Personally I, well lets leave that sentence unfinished.

Now let’s get to a pressing question, who will be Nancy? And I say, bring back the variety shows...

Sorting Out Camp Sites

16 May 2008

Great day sorting out camp sites

When I made the booking through the Caravan Club I asked them, inadvertently, to book sites that did not take tents, a mistake on my side. This meant that 7 of the 14 camp sites booked I could not use as I can only use a tent. The doors of caravan are not wide enough for the wheelchair to go through.

When I was told of this mistake I was horrified, and I must admit, thought not yet an another hurdle in the way. I even wondered if some higher being was telling me not to do this challenge. I guess we all get like that.

To try and put things right, today, Emmanuelle and I spent the whole afternoon on the internet, can you imagine life without the internet? without it, I could not arrange this challenge’ tracking down suitable camping sites. I soon found out how many caravan sites do not take tents, even though some do.

We have now successfully booked all the camp sites from Lands End up to Glasgow, but I am cheating, my 61st birthday will now be spent at ‘Garstang’. This is a remarkable Free trade town 40 mins from Blackpool. I am treating the team to 2 nights in an apartment.

May I subject that you take the time out to visit their web site at http://www.garstang.net/BusinessPages/six_arches_caravan_park.

On my travels through the internet for camp sites I approached many, and 2 of them gave me my nights free because of the challenge I was embarking upon. I would now like to say ‘Thank You’ in the only way I can, by adding them to my blog. They are

Stanmore Hall Touring Park, Bridgnorth, Shropshire
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/redirect.asp?site_id=2304

Damage Barton Caravan Park Damage Barton MortehoeWoolacombe Devon, EX34 7EJ
http://www.damagebarton.co.uk/

Team Have Their Driving Lessons

16 May 2008

Team go out in van driving for lessons

Yesterday my team, Clair, Emmanuelle, Pauline and Margaret, went out in two’s, with Arther, for driving lessons in the van. The route they took, took them along our beautiful coast line to Seton Sluice. The hardest part seemed to be parking the van in my drive, a bit of a tight squeeze. This means today I will have to have some of my garden wall knocked down. Better no wall than no side of the van!

Picture is of a KAP hosiptal.

The countdown plan for the last few days leading up to departure day has now started.

We now have buy the final equipment for the van, hazard warning lights, logos on the side, roof box, spare key, triangle, ect.

Today we sort out the camp sites for Scotland that is Emmanuelle’ job, as she is good with the computer.

A thank you letter has to be delivered to the ‘Flying Scotsman’. A good excuse for a wee Guinness.

Tomorrow it is hitting the shops, extra keys, new dog tags, all the little bits.

I jusr hope the sun appears for the start of all the E2E'ers especially Bob and his wife who are raiding a tandom in aid of Deaf/Blind people. You can read their story at. They set of on the Saturday, i hope to be there to wish them luch. You can read their blog by going to
http://www.bobstandemride.zoomshare.com/ Tandem Challenge Donations: www.justgiving.com/bobstandemride

AA Travells at 7.5 mph

15 May 2008

7.5 Miles per hour

On Tuesday I took Alber out for a run of 5 miles, I was hoping to do more, but someone forgot to switch on the charger. Beware folks. My other battery charges do not have on off and on switch, the AA does, so make sure you switch it on.

The route I took was around my area and included some road work, and some pavement, with bumps. I had Pauline, one of my support team, behind me on a bike. On the bike is a Speedo she was happy to report that Alber reached 7.5 mph and 8.2 mph and kepted at that speed with no trouble.

I shall try again on Saturday, to get some more miles in, as tomorrow it is getting the Scottish camp sites booked and the KAP logos on the tee-shirts. Also tomorrow we are going to try the laptops’ internet connection out in the park. But today is driving lesson time for Clair, Pauline, Margaret and Emanuel. They are having lessons in the van, including how to secure the wheelchair down. They are also going to take it in turn to sit in the back of the van in my Alber to see what it feels like to be sitting in the van in a wheelchair. It will be quite an eye opener for them. I wish them luck.

If we have time, we shall try and put the tent up. As the sun is shinning at the moment, there is a strong possibility this will happen. I will try and get some pictures on the blog.

That’s all for now

Donations, Gloves, Logos, Tee-shirts, Training

13 May 2008

Donations, gloves, logos, tee-shirts, training

Since my last entry I have received two donation for my expenses, these donation are very important to the trip happening. Why, because I have very little of my own savings left and there are still what I call, disposable items that must be bought along the challenge, namely food and petrol, and camp sites that are not in the Caravan Club.

So to start this page in the blog I would like to say a very big and sincere thank you to The Gentlemen of the Lodges in Newcastle who had a collection and made a donation to my expenses fund. I would also like to thank my local pup, the Flying Scotsman for their fund raising efforts towards my expenses and for starting the fundraising for my chosen charity, KAP.

Gloves. If any of you driver, ride a power wheelchair and need gloves like I do to stop my hand getting sore, will realise that there are no gloves on the market, well none that I have found, when the padding is around the figures and around the base of the figures. The nearest I have found are wrap around mitts made by Global Leather. These mitts have padding all over the palm. They are not quite what I require but are close. I have 2 pairs to try, one medium and one large. I asked for the large so that I can wear, if needed, my wrist support. I will report back to you when I have given them a good trial. I will add that I have found that wearing white cotton gloves underneath because my hands are very bone, makes a great deal of difference to the comfort of wearing them.

Logos. No self-respecting E2E van can leave base without logos on it, my van is no exception. I am having priced the cost of putting the KAP logo on both sides of the van. The rear of the van is been done with warning slogans on, separately in Cornwall. I am now awaiting the estimate. I have asked an estimate for 3 ft and 4 ft squares with details of wwww site and tel no. I will come back to you with the result.

Tee-shits. We all say that as a team it would look good and help with team bonding, if we wore a uniform. That uniform .will is a black tee-shirt with the KAP logo on. Finding black tee-shirts for a team of 6 does not come cheap, M&S ones cost me £5 each and I thought that was a good deal. That was until Muriel found them at ASDA at £1.50 each. Not as good as M&S, but you only get what you pay for. I think we worked it out that we need about 30 in all. If you add putting on the logos, I have been quoted £5 per logo so we are going to try and put them on ourselves, you will see that the tee-shits are no cheap.

Training. My aim today is to get in 20 miles of training around our local roads. I have been spending as much time as possible in the Alber, but I cannot use it in my home because I cannot get into my computer space. On of my big problems is getting the training in as it has to fit in and around my other daily living requirements. And I can assure you all that I take a lot of looking after and not only with personal care.

Driving training. On my very long list of what I must do in these final days, is the team have to have some training in the driving of the van and in how to secure my two wheelchairs down. This task is been taken on by a very dear friend of mine, Arthur. Arthur’s wife Dee is joining us for stages 3 &4.

Well there you have it, the update. I am sure I have missed something out, but if I have, I will put it in the next entry.

Please do ring me on my mobile, especial while I am on the challenge, it will help the miles to pass. I shall be in my chair for an average of 6 hrs per day and would love you company along the miles.

AC Gosforth Newcastle

12 May 2008

Thank you update.

On Friday I attended an Arthritis Care meeting at Gosforth Newcastle, to give a talk about the E2E challenge. This was arranged well before Arthritis Care decided they did not wish to be involved any longer with the E2E Challenge.

I had a very warm welcome from the group of 50 and even made a contribution with a comment in their AGM. My comment was in connection with the comment made about falling numbers. I asked if the head office had not inform them that I had joined AC and was in their area? I was told no, they never did. Strange way for HQ AC to conduct their business; not informing branches that they had a new member in their area.

Anyway, enough of AGM’s, what about the evening? To start off with, I had forgotten to make sure that the leaflets I had made about the challenge were in the brief case. If anyone would like me to email them a copy, just send me an email and I’ll send you one on. I did find four in my rucksack and these were give out, one to the committee, one to me and the other two passed around the tables.

The talk stated with a brief outline of me and my arthritis, like talking to the converted, I then told them that Arthritis Care had pulled out and why, and said that me new chosen charity is Kenya Acorn Project. I would have given out their leaflets, but yes, you have guest it, we had forgotten them.

My talk was to take about 30 mins and went through the planning, and exciting the plan for the E2E challenge. I told them of what I had done, what I was doing, and what I hope to do. I told them of the need for more team members and of course, as I was in the Alber, showed them the speed I could do. I finished by saying that if they wanted to invite me back, I would tell them how the challenge went.

At the end of the evening, just as I was leaving, I was handed a donation from the evening, towards my E2E expenses; which considering I was not doing the challenge for AC was most unexpected and for which I say a very big thank you.

Thank you to the branch of AC Gosforth. .

D Day Has Arrived. Yes or No to this E2E Challenge

11 May 2008

Day D, 11th May

To those of you who read this blog, you will realise that today is the day when it was decided, and agreed, that 11th May at 12 midnight was the date, and time, set to say whether the E2E challenge was on or off.

I can say that with hand on heart, that up to 12 noon, to day, the challenge would stop at Glasgow as I had only two people firmly booked for stage 4, the Scottish leg. I would have said that baring a miracle, I would be leaving the challenge, uncompleted at Glasgow.

The only thing I have learned about this challenge is that miracles do happen, and at 12 mid day to day, Margaret, one of my carers, said that she would move her shift from stage 3 where there were four people in my team, to stage 4. Thank you Margaret. This means that I now have 3 people with me on the final stage, and that we can proceed to stage four, but, and it is a very BIG but, I need more team members for stage four, especially cyclist, fund raisers and at least one more carers. I say more carers because I know I am very hard work, I wish to give the ones coming with me some time off. The Caravan Club sites look as if some spare time away from the responsibility of looking after me, could be great fun and I am sure Clair wishes to go off on her own to walk Megan her dog.

There are stages, with dates, that more support is needed. Email me if you wish to help. I need carers and more cyclists, for every stage. Help is still been sort by Sue from the Heart of the South Care Agency http://www.heartofthesouthcareagency.co.uk/ If anyone knows Sue and want to join my team, then please contact Sue ASAP.

So there we have it, the challenge, the full E2E is on. There are many people who are helping me make this E2E happen, the latest been a good friend of mine, Hazel, who is going to tender my garden while I am away. Thank you Hazel

Yes……………It……………..Is…………..ON.

Now who is next to leave Oliver!

Notifing The Police

9 May 08

Notifing the police.

Jack recommended that i informed the police that i will be passing througyh their area. This is the covering letter i have sent them with details of the route, camp sites and personal who will be with me. I hope you find the information it contains of use to you.

09 May 2008

Dear Chief Constable

E2E Challenge

Between the 1/29 June 2008 I am attempting to drive an Alber Adventure Power Wheelchair from Lands End to John O’Groats in aid of the charity, Kenya Acorn Project, I wish to submit the following information. .

The route with dates is enclosed as Appendix a. Appendix b is a list of campsites I proposed to stay at. I shall try and stay off all major roads where possible. Scotland camp sites are not yet booked.

Personal: A vehicle, with a driver and a carer, will follow me at a suitable distance. I also hope to have, where possible, a cyclist beside, behind me.

The vehicle I am using is a red Citroen Relay Van, Reg. W774 MBR. The van will be equipped with flashing orange warning light on the roof, with highly visible words indicating “wheelchair ahead”, or other suitable wording. I will try to avoid the vehicle moving slowly behind me. The vehicle, where possible, will go on to the next suitable stopping place. I am well aware that I must try to avoid stopping traffic flow or put other road users in danger.

The wheelchair I shall be using will have a flashing orange light at the rear and an orange warning flag will be attached. . The average speed of the wheelchair will be 6 mph. I will also wear full protective gear and a highly visible jacket.

Cyclist will be behind me, or if traffic allows, be at the aside of me. They to will be wearing safety equipment, including jacket. Also attached to the cycle will be an orange flag to aid visibility.

Warning to lorries. I shall be at all times in contact with Carole Fraser Administrator Traffic & ADR Freight Transport Association, who in turn, will warn the transport on their net work, of my presence in a given area. I am also going to be in touch with local radio stations asking them to tell their listeners of my presents.


If you need more information, please contact me. Details below. We will remind you closer to the date of our arrival in your area.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Can you please email me or telephone to confirm you have received this document?

Yours sincerely

Mary Laver

Contact details
Mary LaverMy Mobile 07975649162Tel No 0191 266 5197E2E Challenge in a Power Wheelchairhttp://www.powerwheelchaire2e.blogspot.com/

se to you.

A Fun Day With The Van

09 May 2008

Fun day with van

Yesterday some of my team members and myself, spent time at looking at how best to load the van, some of you may know the Citron Relay van, the one I have is a SWB and it is red.

The main items that had to be put in place first were, the two wheelchairs I am taking, namely the Alber Adventure, of course, and a manual chair. I have chosen the manual chair as my second chair because it is very comfortable with a reclining back and elevating legs rests. I will be sitting in it on the way down to Lands End and one of my carers will be sitting in the Alber in case I need help along the way

Next on board went on the stretcher. We decided to take the stretcher because I can lie down on it and be moved around easily, especially at the camp site, and get my legs straight; if possible, while having lunch on the challenge I will put in it for about ¾ hour. I may well sleep on it. We have that trial run tonight.

Next went on board was my mobile hoist. I am using a Molift because it is very light, folds up Easley, and is battery driven. And of course, I like it. This will go behind the passenger seat and made secure, as will all the other equipment and wheelchairs.

When this was all on board, there were only two more large items to go, my commode and the bike. Have commode will travel! I cannot get onto a loo, so for my ablutions in the morning, I will be using the commode for a wee during the challenge I will be using a special wee bottle I can use from my chair, to reveal all, I use a ladies wee bottle, during the night.

The bile only just found room. I was considering not taking it, but I soon changed my mind. We need the room, but not that urgently.

When all this was done, the ramp put into the up position, we are sure that other things like the tent, food and team clothing, could fill in the gaps

We did discover after a phone call the Gerald Simonds that the AA has its own jack on the back anti tip wheels to enable you to change a wheel. Truly amazing, but more about the AA later.

At the end of an hours work, we all sat down and started to realize that this is really going to happen, hard to believe at times. My team are starting to feel a little bit excited, especially Clair, along with Megan her dog who is with us as the team mascot, who is in for the full E2E and Pauline who is with us for two weeks and will be there, along with Muriel from KAP, at the finishing post. The third member who was there was Margaret. Margaret is doing stage 3 and is in charge of all the paperwork. An ausom job and one none wants’ to take on. My new friend Wendy is with me for the last day. But as I have already said that if, when we get to Glasgow, there are still only 2 team members, the challenge will stop.

Last night when Eileen came on duty, she checked the top of the van and there runners in place to attach bars so that I ski box, which she will lend me, can be put in the roof. This will save me a lot of space, all I have to do now is to go the Halfords to get the runners put on. Another job for the list.

Nearly for got, another 4 tins of baked beans appeared at the back gate!

So there we have it, a fun day with the van.

Power Wheelchair Racing

09 May 2008

Power Wheelchair Racing

I just want to mention PWCR. This exciting idea, like most ideas for disabled people, has been started in America by a guy called John J2 Mryczko USA, from Extreme Chairing you will find out more details by visiting his web site at http://www.powerwhelchairracing.com/

When I have finished the E2E challenge, it is my intension, with the help of John, to hold a trial event here in the UK. The venue I have in mind is a Kielder Waters, Hexham, Northumbria.

If you feel that you would like to get involved with such an event, around September, October time, either as a marshal, racer, or any other capacity, or would like to arrange an event yourself, then please email me, or John and we can take it from there.

John has told me that he has done some filming about PWCR and it is going to be shown on British TV but does not no when.

You can email John via his web site or via me at mary.laver.e2e@googlemail.com

Now to write about the last few days.

Speak to you all again very soon.

Alber Adventure/Vav

06 May 2008

Alber Adventure/Van

Today I took out the Alber for its first run with a cyclist. I have now renamed the Alber to Alber Adventure Liberator because that is how I felt while driving the Alber further than I have ever driven a power wheelchair before liberated. I was a shear joy, and even on our pavements, I clocked up 7 mph.

Picture of children carring the family water. Would your children do this? I think perhaps not, but these children have to.

When I got home the van I had bought was in the drive. The van is a Citron Relay, W reg. It was previously own by a person on mobility and was in very good nick. All that now needs to be done is to get the team out with an instructor, to drive the van until they are comfortable with driving it. Have lessons in how to lock the wheelchairs down, and to decide the best way to load it. KAP are having their logo put on both sides and when I get to Cornwall, Wendy has arranged to have safety logs put on the back. On top with be amber flashing warning light.

Tonight, I will be with Emmanuelle, after Holby City ofcourse, even the E2E does not come between me and my Holby City! getting together the information that is required for the police and hopefully getting that sent off. We shall also be working out the Scotland camp sites and sending them off to the Caravan Club for booking. No slacking in this house.

I still need more team members for the challenge from Glasgow to JOG.

Today, 4 more tins of backed beans arrived at my back door. I feel that the 4 tins of backed beans will remain a mystery.

So today we have had the Alber renames by me to the Alber Adventure Liberator. The Citron van has arrived, and 4 more tins have appeared on the back door step. Not bad for one day.

Speak again soon...

Tyres on Alber Adventure

5 May 08

Details about the tyres on the Alber Adveture

Dear Mary,

Thanks for the link - I know the material: the very first test drives with the prototypes

Don't worry about the pneumatic tyres – they are even safer than the puncture proof tyres: punctures proof tyres can get off the rims completely when under stress, e.g. on our test bench. Whereas the pneumatic tyres offer much more comfort as they support the effect of the Adventure’s suspension. Please have a look at the cross section:

It is quite difficult to get a puncture – the air won’t leave the tyre all of a sudden and thanks to the 4 layers the tyre can even be driven for a short distance when it is flat. But I am glad that you worry about the safety – your health has to come first! Please have the pressure checked every day.

Please find attached an animation showing how the suspension works – I hope you will like it.

Grüße - Sigrid
________________________________________
/


--

Yeasterdays Entry

05 May 2008

Yesterdays Entry

Yesterday I wrote about the visit of the BBC trainee, today, with now less than 4 weeks to the off gun, I am going to bring you up to date with what else has happened. The picture is of a new water drum being istalled which was provided by KAP.

One piece of news I am still hopeful about, is my new friend in South Africa, Elaine may still be joining the team as a cyclist. She will not really know until nearer the time, and hopes to get a last minute flight. There is a place on the cycle team that has her name upon it. Elaine asks how many in the cycling team. I can say that there will always be one, most of the time two, not including her, up to Scotland. From Scotland, I am not too sure at the moment as my cyclist/cum carer may have to drive the van, and as things stand at this moment in time, if Elaine does not join me, I shall have no cyclist along side me., but as I am finding, this challenge changes every day so I never no, I may have the company of a cyclist..

Mobile phone. As you can see, I have now gone public with my mobile phone. Please ring me at any time now and during the challenge. The phone has been set up so that all I have to do is hit a key and I can answer it. If this facility was not in place, the ability to answer the mobile would not have happened as I cannot use my hands.

Dog. We have Megan a beautiful Spring Spaniel coming with us as a mascot all the way to John O’Groats. Megan’s owner is Clair who is joining the team for the whole challenge. That means that Megan, if they count dogs, and Clair can become and E2E’er in her own right.
Clair has offered to bring her own car which is just great. That car would make a great deal of difference as Clair has said she would strike camp when we leave, play catch up to help with fund raising for KAP, then go on ahead to set up camp. We can do this as far as Scotland, but unless I can get more team members, we cannot take the car past Glasgow as I will need Clair to drive the van.

Well that is the update for to day. There is still much more work to do.

If any readers feel they can help along the route with fundraising for KAP, then please can you email me and I shall send you more information.

Bye for now.

BBC Mobile phone, SA, Dog, Car

03 May 2008

BBC trainee, mobile phone, email SA, Dog, Car

Since my last entry, the challenge has had an unexpected visit from a BBC trainee film buff, her name is Nicola. I bought the earpiece I needed to enable me to use my mobile telephone. Today I received an email from a new friend in South Africa who hopefully will be joining us. Claire, one of my support team has said that she could bring Megan her Springer Spaniel and has also offered to bring her car as back up.

On Wednesday afternoon I had a phone call from the BBC asking, because I had an interesting story to tell, could they send one of their trainee photo buffs, well she did not say film buff but I am not too sure of the correct term, over on Thursday arriving about 1100. “No problem”, I said, “I have done it before”. My support team and I had already arrange a meeting on the Thursday, to discuss such things as the best way to lift me from chair, to stretcher and the other small details, such as what they would eat, how the best way to do all of my personal while on the challenge, ect, ect. Because our film buff was now coming, I asked them to wear their KAP tee-shirts. Looks good on photographs... I did not realise the photographs were to be on film.

Nicola, that was the name of the film buff, arrived at 1120, almost on time! We had a chat, the puppies, Jack and Molly introduced themselves, and so did part of my team for the challenge, Margaret, Claire, Emmanuelle and Pauline. Nicola wanted to do the filming in the garden, I have a nice garden, even if I do say so myself so we moved out there. .

Due to the weather been a bit on the showery side, we decided that I would, for the first half of the filming, wear my florescent green jacket, my safety helmet, safety elbow and knee pads. The hand protectors are not suitable for wheelchair use. Nicola decided that the actual putting on of these items were to form part of her filming story. Pauline was elected to be in this part of the filming. Having never put on the knee and elbow protectors, I will leave it up to you to visualize what that part of the filming was like! And yes it did rain.

Once I got all the gear on it was decided that the interview would take place on the garden lawn. The AA went on no messing, did I say no messing, guess who forgot to have the lawn cleaned of dog mess. Yes, me...

We did the interview and then I said do you really want to want to see this chair move? The answer was of course yes. I got another team member Claire, to take off all my fancy gear and Nicola and I went to the next avenue from mine and took lots of film of me coming towards her and away from her at about 8 mph. By this time, the heaven had opened up again and we both made a mad dash for home just in time for lunch, and guess what, Nicola want to film me been given my luck by Pauline. We parted company at about 1330.

We all had an interesting 3 hours, and I know Nicola enjoyed herself very much...

My Mobile Number

3 May 08

I am now contactable

Yes i am please to say that at long last i am now on a mobile number from 0900 hrs to 2200 hrs

The number is, roll drums.. Orange network 07975649162

Please feel to ring at any time between the above times.