Bus firm thanked for ‘life-changing’ work

A WOMAN has thanked a Dundee bus company for helping her regain her independence.

Judith Langlands-Scott was forced to use a wheelchair due to a medical condition — degenerative hyper mobile joint syndrome — that causes her joints to dislocate. She was given a manual wheelchair but was unable to propel herself.

The Forfar mum-of-three said: “Although I can walk, it hurts a lot.”

In November, Judith received an electric wheelchair but she lacked the skills or confidence to control it. She said: “I’ve been incredibly lucky to be cared for by the Wheelchair Outreach Project at Ninewells and I now have a new electric wheelchair.

“The people at the project are amazing and give the likes of me lessons, and Xplore Dundee brought a doubledecker bus to Ninewells for me to practise on. I can’t tell you what being able to take my wheelchair on a bus will mean to me. Being able to go on a bus under my own steam opens up lots of opportunities for me. The fact Xplore offers this service is genuinely life-changing and I can’t thank them enough.”

Xplore Dundee managing director Elsie Turbyne said: “Our driving instructors have been offering bespoke training to people with electric scooters and wheelchairs for five years now. It is really fantastic to hear how life-changing this assistance can be for people.”

Judith in her new chair.