Mike's bright idea for chair

12:13pm Friday 6th July 2007

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A HAGLEY man has rolled out a bright idea for disabled people following an incident in the village shop.

Mike Spencer, from Meadowcroft, is launching a new product which will allow disabled people to take their wheelchairs with them when they venture out on mobility scooters.

Mike, aged 59, was inspired to design a fitting for his scooter after colliding with a vegetable display during a visit to the Hagley Spa shop.

The collision helped Mike realise his scooter was to big for aisles and corridors in many buildings, which made them inaccessible to him if he was without his wheelchair.

Mike says if people can take their wheelchairs when the go out they will be able to negotiate smaller spaces, opening up greater opportinities for travel, shopping and visiting friends.

He said: "It should be so easy to put your wheelchair on the back of your scooter.

"If I can do this, then I can go anywhere, even by train as long as I can get to the railway station by scooter.

"It will help people, if they can get out more they will feel well and their health will improve tremendously."

After months of research and design, Mike has now patented his idea and set up a company to develop the system, which he calls Ablequip.

The business, which is set for launch this month, has already attracted the attention of BBC Midlands Today who recently featured Mike's invention on TV.

Hagley MP Julie Kirkbride is also keen on the product, which Mike says could improve quality of life for millions of people around the world.

Miss Kirkbride has pledged to lobby for facilities at railway stations to allow people to leave their scooters in secure sheds.

Secure parking would allow wheelchair users to take train trips without worrying about leaving their scooters at stations while they use the railway.

For more information call Mike on 01562 886616 or contact him by e-mail via mspen999@blueyonder.co.uk, Ablequip Ltd is currently working on a web site, which will go on line soon.