A man from Aberdeen, left bed-bound and requiring round-the-clock care, is appealing for help to afford a wheelchair that could transform his life. Ruairidh Younger, 28, who has cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis, finds his current NHS wheelchair inadequate, causing him pain and leaving him confined to bed.
Family's desperate plea
Ruairidh's family, including his mother who has arthritis, his stepfather, and his sister Charlotte, provide 24/7 care. They describe the situation as heartbreaking and say it is affecting Ruairidh's quality of life and the family's well-being.
Charlotte told Aberdeen Live: "Ruairidh's usually really bubbly and outgoing but now he's miserable. He doesn't even want to sit in his chair. He just wants to lie in his bed. We're all struggling."
Challenges with current wheelchair
Ruairidh's right hip is permanently dislocated, and his muscles are fixed in position, making movement difficult. His wheelchair no longer meets his needs, with issues like a faulty headrest and broken footplates. An electric wheelchair is not an option as his arms are fixed, and a power pack is incompatible.
The family contacted Aberdeen Wheelchair Service but faced an eight-week wait due to high demand, with 10,000 patients and only three treatment rooms.
Fundraiser launched
A custom wheelchair is the only alternative, costing around £15,000, which the family cannot afford. They have started a GoFundMe page with a target of £4.5k and have been overwhelmed by donations.
Charlotte added: "It's been incredible. Just seeing people take the time to notice his story and then messaging and thanking us for doing this. We only started the fundraiser a week ago, but it's really cheered him up."
