Page 13 - PIC-Magazine-Issue-26

The Game Changer:
Finding Liberation Again
And here we are at the present day, nearly four
years into my current role as mobility specialist
at Lewis Reed Group—where the vehicle they've
provided has genuinely transformed my daily life.
As the UK's leading provider of Wheelchair
Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), Lewis Reed specialises
in bespoke petrol, diesel, and electric conversions
tailored to meet unique mobility needs. The
company's primary business is the design, testing,
manufacture and sale of high-quality wheelchair
accessible vehicles, working with premium
brands like Mercedes and Volkswagen. Lewis
Reed has for many years been recognised as
the premium marque for wheelchair accessible
passenger cars, with a unique customer off ering
centred around 'Fit Function and Finish'—meaning
that conversions fi t the quality of the base
vehicle seamlessly with greater functionality for
wheelchair users.
In my role as mobility specialist, I draw upon my
36 years of personal driving experience and 18
years in the mobility industry to help customers
fi nd their perfect vehicle solution. With Lewis
Reed's over 20 years' experience in the wheelchair
accessible vehicle market, we off er excellent
customer service with a level of knowledge that
is completely unrivalled. Every day, I work with
individuals and families who are facing the same
challenges I once did, wondering if there's a
better way, struggling with transfers, or simply
wanting to maintain their independence as their
needs change.
What makes Lewis Reed special is that we don't
just sell vehicles; we provide complete mobility
solutions. Our WAVs come with a variety of
options, including lift or ramp systems with side
or rear access, and we off er models that can seat
up to seven passengers plus a wheelchair user.
This means I can help customers fi nd everything
from a compact, easy-to-use vehicle for personal
independence to larger family solutions that don't
compromise on accessibility.
During its 20+ years of success, Lewis Reed has
helped thousands of people around the UK regain
their independence. Being part of that mission,
while using one of our vehicles daily, gives me a
unique perspective that I bring to every customer
consultation.
I now drive a Mercedes-Benz V-Class wheelchair
accessible vehicle equipped with an AMF lift at the
rear. Using a Bluetooth controller, I can operate
the lift while staying in my wheelchair, then fold
it away and secure the vehicle using the same
controller and key fob.
But here's where the magic happens: I position
myself behind the passenger seat in row two,
and using a 6-way powered seat, I can move the
driver's seat back beside me and adjust it for both
angle and height. This allows me to make an easy,
downhill transfer that minimizes stress and strain
on my shoulder joints. Then I simply position
myself behind the steering wheel, ready to drive—
completely independently.
The Liberation of the Right Solution
Being able to transfer within
the safety and comfort of
the vehicle—in the dry, in the
warm, with no heavy lifting or
wheelchair breakdown—is truly
liberating. It has restored that
sense of freedom I remember
from my teenage years and
eliminated the worries and
diffi culties I was experiencing
with conventional car transfers.
The diff erence isn't just
physical; it's psychological. I no
longer dread getting in and out
of my vehicle multiple times
a day. I don't have to check
the weather before deciding
whether a journey is worth
the discomfort. I don't have
to strategically plan my day
around minimizing transfers.
This experience has reinforced
my passion for ensuring
everyone has access to the
right mobility solution for
their needs. Having lived
through the gradual loss of
easy independence and now
experienced its restoration,
I truly understand how the
right solution makes all the
diff erence.
In my daily work at Lewis
Reed, I see customers at every
stage of this journey. Some are
experiencing their fi rst mobility
challenges, others have been
struggling for years like I was.
What's incredibly rewarding is
being able to use my personal
experience alongside Lewis
Reed's expertise to help them
fi nd solutions they might not
have known existed. Whether
it's explaining the benefi ts of
diff erent access systems, or
simply reassuring them that
there is a better way—every
conversation draws from both
my professional knowledge
and lived experience.
DIFFERENT BY DESIGN
The Message Beyond My Story
My journey from that fi rst Ford Fiesta to today's Mercedes V-Class
represents more than just a progression of vehicles, it’s a testament
to how the right mobility solution can preserve and restore
quality of life. It's why I advocate so strongly for considering joint
protection and long-term independence early in the journey,
rather than waiting until diffi culties become overwhelming.
Every disabled driver or passengers’ needs are unique, but the
principle remains the same: the right vehicle solution isn't just
about getting from point A to point B. It's about maintaining
dignity, preserving physical health, and ensuring that the freedom
to drive—that fundamental independence, remains a source of
joy rather than a source of pain.
For anyone reading this who's struggling with transfers,
experiencing pain, or simply wondering if there's
a better way: there is. The technology exists, the
solutions are available, and the diff erence they can
make isn't just practical—it's life-changing.
www.pic.legal Spring & Summer 2026 www.pic.legal Spring & Summer 2026
PARTNERS IN COSTS
PARTNERS IN COSTS
13
13