Wheelchair powerpack helps disabled student continue studying

Jack Blakeway, 22, from Sedgley, has received a TGA Wheelchair Powerpack from family friend Simon Biddulph, to ensure he can continue studying at Dudley College.

Jack has Down's Syndrome, restricted mobility and visual impairment. He is currently studying but Jack has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable hip problem and increased loss of vision.

Jack is assisted at college studying life skills by a support worker who pushes him in a manual wheelchair however this has become too challenging due to the hilly nature of the campus.

His mother Jackie Blakeway, 60, was desperate to find an answer when her friend Simon, 51 and from Sedgley, came up with an idea – a TGA Wheelchair Powerpack.

As Simon is a regulatory and compliance consultant to TGA, which is a company that also supplies mobility scooters, he decided to donate his time in return for a Wheelchair Powerpack.

By working for free and TGA donating, Simon arranged for a Duo Powerpack to be fitted to Jack's wheelchair without cost.

A TGA Powerpack is a motorised unit with wheels which fits under an attendant controlled wheelchair, so that powered propulsion is provided to ease the strain of pushing for carers.

Jackie said: "I cannot thank Simon and TGA enough for what they have done for us, they are our guardian angels. With the news about Jack’s hip and vision problems, I really don't know what we would have done without this donated powerpack.

"Jack would have been housebound and not able to go to college or anywhere as he’s too heavy to push. It is absolutely amazing."

Jackie has been friends with Simon for over 10 years since he joined the Sedgley Ex-serviceman's Club where she is a relief bar manager.

Simon said: "I'm grateful to TGA for agreeing to this opportunity as I know the quality of the powerpack and the huge difference it makes to wheelchair users and their carers.

"The Blakeways are such a lovely family and Jack is a fantastic lad who never moans or complains, he just gets on with life despite all the health challenges he has to face. I'm chuffed to bits to see how much the powerpack has improved Jack's quality of life and eased the pressures on his mum and dad."

Jackie added: "Our powerpack has been a lifesaver. Jack's support worker at college can move him around easily and we can get to the shops together.

"It’s all hills around us so pushing a chunky lad in a wheelchair is impossible. I think when Simon saw how upset I was late last year, about the risk of pulling Jack out of education, he knew he had to help.

"He explained our situation to TGA and they agreed to help, everyone has been so kind and Eric from TGA who came to see us was wonderful. He made Jack feel at ease which can be difficult when he meets new people. Our whole family's quality of life is so much better with this kind donation."