Wheels for Wendy

For people with a disability, a wheelchair enables the independence and mobility able-bodied people often take for granted.

Wendy Turner, who uses a wheelchair for mobility, had her independence hampered due to an old wheelchair she had been using for over 20 years.

Thanks to the support of generous donors, this has all changed.

Wendy attended Northcott’s 80th Anniversary Gala Ball as a client speaker on 31 October 2009, where she spoke about the lengthy delays and considerable costs involved in ordering a new wheelchair.

When asked what she wished Northcott’s new research fund could help develop to improve her quality of life, she hoped that a research fund could look into technological advances that would develop a more cost effective wheelchair.

To Wendy’s amazement, a room full of generous strangers opened their hearts and pockets to collectively donate $10,000 towards the cost of a new electric wheelchair for her – this was in addition to the $130,000 that was raised for research on the night.

“I was stunned and totally gob-smacked on the night,” Wendy said. “The whole situation was surreal, I could not believe the generosity and caring coming my way.”

Christmas came early for Wendy, with her new electric wheelchair arriving four days before Christmas, enabling her to experience the independence she once lacked - even simply allowing her to independently board a bus to visit her local shopping centre, Warringah Mall. Regular seating adjustments and a customised wheelchair now also provide Wendy with the postural support her former wheelchair did not offer.

“My mind boggles at the freedom I now have to travel and the freedom it will give me as I become more accustomed to its usage,” Wendy said. “The wheelchair travels 50km without having a recharge!”

“I cannot thank my benefactors enough. It will completely open up my world as well as free my husband and carer as I intend to roam independently throughout parts of Sydney,” Wendy said. “Thank you once again. It has been indeed a much appreciated and great gift.”