My name is Sam Merchant and I have a degenerative neurological condition called Friedreich's Ataxia, which is one of the rarer ones out there!
I grew up and went to school in Wiltshire, and I found it increasingly difficult to walk around. By the time I went to university I had to factor in my individual movement to my choice of location. I eventually chose Luton to study biochemistry due in part to its accessibility and support I received; whilst there I used a second-hand scooter to get around in.
In my final year I was introduced to the SD Motion Drive and this has been my main mode of transport ever since!
In the twenty-two years since then I have travelled across the UK, often alone, to meet friends from the internet. I have taken my wheelchair to places such as London, Manchester, Cardiff, Leeds and once on a plane to Glasgow. None of this would have been possible without the independence and security the SD Motion Drive has given me.
In 2008 I moved into my own place, a housing association bungalow in Yate, which is about seven miles from Bristol. I live by myself with visits from carers four times a day, and until the pandemic, roamed the town and even took the bus to events in Bristol.
Even this is not the end of the opportunities that the SD Motion drive has given me. I have ventured across the world, including America, Cyprus, Greece and Mauritius. My holidays abroad have been with family, various care agencies and a flight and short stay abroad with a girlfriend.
In my entire time of using the SD Motion drive I have had no major problems, I do have breakdown insurance but I have never claimed because of it. My only issue was with a switch, and that was dealt with promptly and efficiently.
I have always found the staff at Steering Developments friendly and helpful when getting my wheelchair serviced, and so it is far from a worry.
In conclusion, getting the SD Motion drive on my wheelchair has been one of the best investments I have made and without the freedom and possibilities opened up because of it, my life would have been so much poorer.