New Motex Adaptation Centre….

Amazing thing has happened !

Just had an e-mail from the Adaptation Centre…..as I was the only customer on
day one they have invited me to the official opening cermeony on 18th December
and are even saying they want me involved in “ribbon cutting” (well I will need one of their pairs of “adaptive scissors”)

“Dear Mr Fox

As the first visitor to our new equipment demonstration centre and, having expressed such enthusiasm for it, I wondered if you would be willing to be part of the official opening ceremony which will take place at the Motex Centre 2pm Wednesday 18 December.

In fact I wondered if you would join in the ribbon cutting honours. members of the council , West of England Care & repair and representatives of a number of partner organisations will be there.

We will send you an invitation with further details shortly and I do hope you can join us.

Kind regards
Lindsay

Lindsay Hay
Caseworker Manager
0117 9543927
Improving homes Improving lives
Working in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset. “

Had another e-mail from these fine people.

Now they want permission to use my flattering comments to publicise
the new centre.

Told them to go for it, it might get get me an extra shortbread finger
at the big Ceremony.

Apparently the bit they liked was the but about how their adaptations and
expert advice will probably make the difference in me being able to remain
in my own home (what a crawler).

As the Hospital Consultant who was going to visit me yesterday was ill I was “at a loose end”. All
tidy and clean (relatively), what a waste of effort.

Brilliant idea. I will go and visit my new friends at the Adaptation Centre. So I did.

Same tale, I was the only visitor, they were so pleased to see me and I had to whole staff
at my beck and call. There was also an expert from Care and Repair head office who was
pleased to explain in very great detail the complex D.F.G. (Disabled Facilities Grant) system.

I had brought a few measurements with me and through the afternoon I was able to discuss
and get advice and try out Stairlifts, Wetrooms, specialist Beds, portable loops systems, backrests,
kitchen gadgets.

We discussed ways to do these things and even got to details about turning circles, doorswings and
permanent versus non permanent walls to alter room layouts as mobility decreases. Care and Repair
have a wonderful system that they offer where they “vet” tradesmen and place all the orders and oversee
the process. Used it in 2011 for a masonry repair, didn’t use it in 2012 for the plumber and was overcharged £ 400.
They do not pay the tradesman till they have inspected and passed the job as satisfactory.

Further demonstrations of the Carelink Red Button remotelink system and other high tech stuff followed. It was
wonderful and even someone who was able to give financial advice and help on ways to fund this stuff
and how to make the best decision on timing this complicated procedure.

To sum it up. I suddenly have a lot more options. A year ago I felt pressured that the move to the Warden
Controlled Flat was the only viable option. Now there are many ways I can stay here where I am in the home that
has been progressively adapted for my own needs. The Carelink remote system immediately replaces the
orange cord to a warden. They are showing me ways to utilise and change the space I do already have.

This is all good. We are lucky to live in an age of Technology that gives us these options.

Today was the the Big Opening Ceremony at the Motex Adaptation Centre.

I trooped along at the opening time with my invitation clutched in hand. Amazed to find lots and
lots of people there all tucking into the free drinks and mince pies. I tried to slip in quietly at the side
but they would have none of it. They had it all prepared for me, I was the quest of honour and they
wanted me to be the one to cut the big green ribbon.

Two O’Clock came and all the Big Wigs were there. Big speech from the Council Man in Charge of Social
Services, then The Head of Care and Repair and some Chap on some Board of something. Then ribbon
time and they wheel out their user friendly Crip who says all the right things. Apparently I was their
very first customer and the only one in recorded history to ever send in a thank you letter. Then it went
downhill, Foxy apparently fighting back tears (only his affected throat muscles actually) made a cringe-worthy
couple of sentences. Some rubbish about how four years ago he couldn’t see how he could possibly
remain at home now it was all hunky dory thanks to Care and Repair peeps, yada, yada, yada, crawl, crawl.
Gammy handed Mr Fox couldn’t actually cut the ribbon it transpired and had to be assisted by the big chief
which seemed to somehow make the point of a need for the centre, as Foxy joked that they do in fact sell
“adaptive” scissors”. Surprise presentation, big wrapped Xmas present for Mr F.

Mind you the ungrateful bugger only five minutes later told them he already had three of them (long handled
reacher) and negotiated a swap for a sock assist and a walking stick holder (joke – they inquired and offered).

While I was on a roll, I tried all the profiling beds and stairlifts and showed them how the Aqua Joy bathlift works.
Finally I decided it was only appropriate to lower the tone of the afternoon by insisting on being the first one
to test the new “Bio Bidet”. Got lost in the fun and majesty of that so that they had to come tapping
on the door to see if I was all right.

Place was empty by this time, off into the stormy tempest clutching handfuls of literature and several
free pens.

Overwhelming day ! But the centre did get opened.

@amgmod wrote:

So do we trawl the internet for news reports????? :p

@amgmod wrote:

Oh Poop no photo Bristol Post

Brilliant idea……..and well found. Thanks !

I tried their own website but nothing yet. Photos obviously had to be censored to protect public.

It was all a bit onesided. 40 medicos and council bods and one crippo. They had to share me out and take turns
at getting fawning praise and constructive encouragement.

I must have been saying the right things, the organiser lady said at one point she wanted to “bottle me”and
take me round with her.

@amgmod wrote:

@taungfox wrote:

I must have been saying the right things, the organiser lady said at one point she wanted to “bottle me”and
take me round with her.

The ultimate Christmas gift for the person who wants everything

Thank You very much.