We believe a little help can unlock a lot of life.
Audrey, an unstoppable 86-year-old gran and newfound powerchair fan, is proof of that.
On a recent family holiday, the Humfree Glide helped Audrey enjoy everything she loves.
From playing with the great-grandkids on the beach to enjoying bingo (and a cheeky cocktail) in the evening, Audrey saved her energy for the moments that mattered most.
Verity, one of Audrey’s grandchildren, tells us how the Glide made all the difference…
Meet Audrey
“My gran, Audrey, is mum to four, gran to eleven, and great-gran to five.
Shopping is her absolute favourite thing to do – she probably knows all the staff at M&S by name! Gran loves fashion and always makes sure to go into town at least once a week, even if she ends up returning everything she buys.
Gran spent her whole career as a cleaner at Oxford University, looking after the colleges. That meant carrying heavy vacuum cleaners up and down all the staircases at Magdalen College, so it’s no surprise her hips and knees have taken a beating. Luckily, a hip replacement ten years ago helped a bit, but she still needs a little support with getting around.”
Taking the Glide on holiday
“Gran always looks forward to our yearly holiday in Dorset because she loves spending time with her grandchildren. We have a list of things we always do together, including going to the beach, playing bingo and crazy golf, and, of course, having a cheeky evening cocktail in the clubhouse.
But this holiday was different – I took the Humfree Glide for her to try out. It took her a while to get used to the controls, but once she’d mastered it, she loved it. All we did was pile up the bags on her lap and off she went. I even had to turn the speed down as none of us could keep up!
It even doubled up as a beach chair, which was great for lounging with the kids while enjoying some fish and chips.”
Travelling made easy with the Glide
“Travelling wasn’t a problem at all. I took it with me on the train, which was super easy. The Glide folds away in one compact piece, so it never got in the way.
We got a few taxis while we were there, but again, this wasn’t an issue – the Glide could fit in any boot. When Gran didn’t need it, it was light enough for me to easily fold up and carry on to the boat or wherever I needed to.
She was able to operate the powerchair herself, so we didn’t use the remote control. However, whenever the pavement became a bit crowded, I did switch the Glide to the manual setting and pushed her myself. This was easy to do, but it made me appreciate the challenge of curbs. Mostly they were accessible, but on the odd occasion they weren’t, Gran had to get out and in again. But we managed – it was part of the adventure!”
Why the Glide made all the difference
“The Glide made such a difference to Gran’s holiday. Without the Glide, she would never have been able to enjoy the walk from Highcliffe to Mudeford Quays, one of the yearly traditions we do as a family.
The route is a few miles, so it’s too far for someone who has difficulty walking. If it weren’t for the Glide, it’s likely we wouldn’t have gone. Or Gran would have had to miss out. Luckily, she made it and had energy to spare – unlike my daughter, who crashed out at the end!
If Gran had to walk everywhere, she’d be too tired for the important stuff. With the help of the Glide, she was able to join in swimming every day and playing crazy golf. Then at night, she could dance with the kids, and even have a whisky and Coke in the clubhouse.
Gran’s only gripe? It could have done with a cup holder…”
Keep the good times rolling
Verity’s story shows how mobility doesn’t have to get in the way of life. With a little extra help from the Glide, Audrey could keep joining in with all the family traditions she loves.
But the fun doesn’t have to stop when the holiday ends. Thanks to its ultra-light carbon frame, the Humfree Glide was made for zipping around town, meeting friends, and enjoying a spot of shopping – especially if you’re anything like Audrey.
We believe a powerchair should set your pace, not your plans, so you never have to stop doing the things you love.
FAQs about the Humfree Glide
Let’s address some of the most common questions.
