Disabled trolly a boost
A disabled Wishaw pensioner is enjoying shopping for the first time in years - thanks to one of her favourite shops modifying their trollies to suit her needs.
Eighty- five- year- old Margaret Nolan’s daughter Martine got in touch with B&M Bargains in Brandon Parade, Motherwell, after witnessing her mum struggle to hold her shopping week in week out.
Margaret was too frail to hold a basket with shopping on her knees, while Martine pushed the chair.
This meant they were worried they would have to limit their trips to the big supermarkets in the area who stock shopping trollies that attach to the front of wheelchairs.
Martin said: “Shopping can be tiring for most people at times but consider the wheelchair user, who has to try and do their shopping while contending with narrow aisles, bargain baskets in the middle of aisles and high shelves.
“It is made even more difficult when any shopping purchased has to be balanced on your knees. This was a problems my mum faced week in week out. She doesn’t have the strength to take the weight on her knees.
“A week after I contacted the store to tell them the issues my mum was having they sent a reply confirming that the company would be sending a trolley to their Motherwell store.
“So last Sunday after church we went down for our usual shop, asked for the trolley and were delighted to see a brand new shopping one being wheeled out.
“My mum was over the moon and enjoyed being out for the first time in a while.”
Although legislation requires that shops accommodate customers with different abilities, they do not always have a full range of products available to cater to all needs.
Martine added: “I have had some very disappointing replies from much bigger high street names but this hasn’t discouraged me from continuing with my emails and letters to try and get trollies in all local shops.”