Lewis Reed Group | Quality WAV Conversions | Millie

Lewis Reed helps Millie achieve the independence she has always wanted.

22-year-old Millie Hawes, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, from Cheshire graduated with a degree in Law from Durham University and put her education to great use helping other people with similar neuromuscular conditions.

Millie’s latest achievement was to start learning to drive and she is now the proud owner of a Volkswagen Shuttle SE long wheel base drive-from wheelchair vehicle from Lewis Reed.

For 10 years, Millie’s family had a Mercedes-Benz Viano but she only travelled as a passenger which grew increasingly frustrating as she wanted the independence that comes with being able to drive by herself. “After finishing university and moving back home, I didn’t want to have to rely on people for lifts or public transport, I knew having my own vehicle would open up so many doors for me”.

Following a Motability assessment, Lewis Reed brought a demonstration vehicle to Millie’s home. “Martin from Lewis Reed was amazing, he took his time to find out exactly what I was looking for in a vehicle, took all the necessary measurements and ensured I could comfortably enter and exit the vehicle in my chair” continued Millie.

As Millie’s vehicle is a drive-from model, it has been fitted with automatic doors to the rear and an automatic ramp which enables her to enter the vehicle, drive straight into the driving position and secure herself and her chair using a lock-n-dock system without the need for any assistance. Millie’s Volkswagen Shuttle SE features the space drive control system which consists of two joysticks, one for steering left and right and one for accelerate and brake. The gears, lights, indicators etc are all controlled using a button-based system, and everything has been designed to be within easy reach for Millie as her condition means she has reduced levels of movement.

Having her own vehicle also enables Millie to get to work. From the age of sixteen Millie has been attending the NeuroMuscular Centre (NMC) which provides a range of unique services and specialist advice with the sole aim of improving the quality of life for adults with Muscular Dystrophy and other neuromuscular conditions.

“I cannot thank Lewis Reed enough for the freedom and independence my vehicle has given me. Martin, Gerry and the rest of the team at Lewis Reed have been so helpful from our first meeting and assessment through to ordering and delivering my vehicle and I would not hesitate in recommending Lewis Reed to anyone looking to purchase a drive-from wheelchair accessible vehicle” concluded Millie.

The Volkswagen Shuttle SE comes with 5 seats which can be configured into various different arrangements, this means the wheelchair user can either drive as is the case with Millie, or be an upfront or rear passenger. Should Millie decide she no longer wishes to drive all her passenger has to do is reinstate the original driver’s chair which sits behind the front passenger seat. Millie then secures herself and her chair into another space in the vehicle Millie has a long wheel base model which she loves as there is plenty of space for her and her friends.

To find out more about the full range of vehicle conversations available from Lewis Reed please call 0151 343 5360 or browse our website. You can also keep up to date with the latest news from Lewis Reed on Twitter @lewisreedgroup and facebook /lewisreedwavltd.