Meet Judith, whose journey to an Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) diagnosis spanned seven years. Little did she know that pursuing one of her greatest passions – driving – would hit a roadblock. But thanks to cutting-edge adaptations from Mobility in Motion, Judith is back behind the wheel, navigating life safely and on her terms! 

The road to diagnosis
In your 20s, life should be an exciting journey filled with endless possibilities. But for Judith King, who only recently turned 25, the promise of this vibrant chapter has been eclipsed by her long struggle to be diagnosed with EDS and fibromyalgia. 

EDS are a group of conditions characterised by skin elasticity, joint hypermobility, scarring, and fragile blood vessels, often co-occurring with fibromyalgia, which results in widespread pain, tenderness, fatigue, and sleep problems.

Judith’s disability was beginning to take hold when she was just 18 and heading off to study a master’s degree in theatre at the University of Worcester. While it initially left her walking a little slower than the rest of her class in the first year, by her third year she found herself relying on her wheelchair in her everyday life.

At first, Judith’s hips started dislocating and she was diagnosed with hypermobility. Initially, Judith faced the challenge of repeatedly falling on stairs due to her left joint dislocating throughout the day. Despite seeking help from her GP, who downplayed her symptoms as soft tissue issues, advising a six-week wait for improvement, Judith’s pain persisted. Turning to a private physiotherapist, she discovered her joint was 360 degrees out of place, yet a definitive health issue remained unconfirmed.

It wasn’t until a visit to a trainee GP, years later, that the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. He connected the dots and introduced Judith to the possibility of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS).

Driving with a disability
“I love driving. It’s so freeing, but I kind of knew it in the back of my head, that it was getting a lot harder to drive.”

Now, once simple tasks, like walking and driving, have become, at times, nearly impossible.

Holding a driving licence is common among adults in England but the rate is lower for disabled people, with only 55% of disabled people aged 17-64 years holding a full driving licence compared with 83% of non-disabled people, according to the gov.uk website.

Judith got her licence at the age of 19 before she started grappling with the daily challenges of being disabled. However, she now faces a significant challenge when it comes to getting in and out of the car.

Judith’s mother, Rachel, said: “Judith loves to drive. It’s one of her favourite things to do. She will de-stress by driving. If she needs to get away from people, she will drive. In more recent years, she’s had occasional problems because of her hands and she’s now had to move to an automatic car because she can’t use her left leg.”  

Vehicle adaptations enabling independence
As Judith sought solutions to continue driving, she and her mother discovered Mobility in Motion at Naidex. There, Judith found a mobility adaptation for her steering wheel, the tetra grip, which is a three-point triangular device.

“I can actually steer the car now with no problems,” she said. “If my hand does go, my hand’s not going anywhere because I’ve got the point of contact on my wrist. So at least I could still steer with my wrist and be safe and just pull over without any issues.”

In addition to the tetra grip, Judith was also given a transfer plate, which allows for a more safe and gradual transition in and out of her car, eliminating the risk of abrupt falls. An extended boot handle has also been added, making it more accessible for her to operate. The addition of this, although a seemingly small adaptation, has become a game-changer, enabling Judith to open her car boot independently. 

Beyond ensuring safe driving, these adaptations from Mobility in Motion have profoundly impacted Judith’s daily life, fostering a newfound sense of self-reliance and freedom.

With the innovative adaptations provided, Judith’s independence has taken a remarkable leap. No longer confined to relying on a passenger or her mother, she can now access her vehicle autonomously.

She said: “I’ve got a funky load of kit going in my car and I’m going to look really nice when I’m out driving and I’m not going to feel disabled, I’m just really excited.”

As Judith’s condition and requirements evolve, we will continue to support her through our broad range of adaptations, ensuring she can drive and navigate the world fearlessly, long into the future. 

Mobility and independence
Embark on your journey to enhanced mobility Helping people lead independent lives – without relying on other people to get around – is at the heart of our company’s story. 

Begin your personalised experience with Mobility in Motion’s needs-based mobility assessments. While face-to-face appointments remain an option for those who prefer them, we are evolving to make understanding the products available more accessible to everyone, through video and digital. Bridging the gap between possibility and awareness.

We are not just a service provider; we are partners in your journey to enhanced mobility. Act now, embrace the future, and experience the transformative power of vehicle adaptations.

To find out more visit: www.mobilityinmotion.com
Call us on: 0800 038 5531
Email: hello@mobilityinmotion.com