A DISABLED Lisburn woman who has been stuck at home while waiting for an assessment before she can use her new wheelchair outside has been told she will have to wait two more weeks before she can finally go shopping for the first time in a year.
Esther Hewitt
Because even though Esther Hewitt, who has not been outdoors since last Se
ptember, finally got an assessment to use her new chair this week, she was told she will have to undertake a wheelchair type driving test.
Esther (61) had already planned a shopping trip this week after being contacted by the Wheelchair Centre last Monday and told she could go in for her assessment because there was a cancellation.
She believed she would at long last be able to get out using the electric wheelchair she got last September, but when she went arrived at Musgrave Park Hospital she was given a lesson on how to use the wheelchair and told she would have to do a test on September 2.
"It will be just like doing my driving test," she said. "I was shown things like going round a corner and what to do when passing parked vehicles, I just hope that I can remember it all, as I cannot go outside to practice.
"I will just have to learn from what I was taught from memory. I don't even know if I am presented with a qualification or a licence.
"It is quite frustrating but I have been unable to go out for months and months so I suppose I can hold on for a few more weeks.
Esther said she felt for people who are still on athe waiting list.
"I was delighted to get the call but it is unfortunate that there are so many people still on the list," she said. "They should go to their MP and contact the press. I think the press definitely helped."
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