Stories of Childhood on Hold

Across the UK, more than 1,000 children are waiting for the right wheelchair or piece of mobility equipment. Behind every statistic is a child with hopes, dreams, and a future that deserves to be lived now, not later. 

Ivy 

Ivy has a life-limiting heart condition. She can walk short distances, but quickly becomes exhausted and relies on her wheelchair. Her NHS chair is heavy and restrictive, forcing her to depend on friends to push her between classes. 

“I have to rely on my mum to drive me to school—and it’s only a 15-minute walk. My friends have to push me from lesson to lesson, and it’s not fair on them.” 

With the right electric attachment, Ivy could travel independently to school and explore her community freely. 

Wren 

Eleven-year-old Wren is bright, witty, and full of life. She has cerebral palsy, which affects all four of her limbs and her posture, meaning she relies on others for almost everything—except thinking. Her sharp humour keeps her family laughing, and she loves joining in their adventures, from watching her sister’s rugby games to exploring the great outdoors. But right now, Wren is stuck. Her NHS manual wheelchair is heavy and difficult to use, leaving her unable to move independently at home or keep up with her active family. Without the right, lightweight chair, Wren is at risk of losing vital skills—and precious moments of childhood. As her mum says, 

“She doesn’t get another childhood. Every day we wait, it feels like we’re missing out.” 

Charlie 

Charlie is a bright, creative, and sassy 8-year-old. She loves colouring, crafts, shopping, and making sure everyone knows her favourite colours—pink and purple. She’s also spent much of her life in and out of hospital, with health that can change quickly and keep her in bed for weeks at a time. 
Her wheelchair is her freedom. It gives her the independence and confidence to join in with friends and family on those precious “good days.” But Charlie has already outgrown her first chair, and without Whizz Kidz, she would be left without the right equipment. 

Adam 

Eight-year-old Adam loves music, being outdoors, water play, and all things space. Though non-verbal, his curiosity and joy shine through. But his NHS wheelchair is only suitable for school and indoors, meaning he misses out on adventures, countryside walks, and even the simple joy of feeling the sun on his face outside. 

Without the right chair, Adam’s world is far smaller than it should be. 

Oliver

Oliver explains why it's so important for young wheelchair users to have the right equipment:

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