Young Sports Enthusiast From Milton Keynes Appointed 2016 Mobility Roadshow Ambassador
Henrietta Freeman, writer and sports enthusiast from Milton Keynes, has been appointed Event Ambassador for The Mobility Roadshow and Get Going Live! at Silverstone Circuit, Northants. 26-28th May.
Henrietta Freeman, writer and sports enthusiast from Milton Keynes, has been appointed Event Ambassador for The Mobility Roadshow and Get Going Live! at Silverstone Circuit, Northants. 26-28th May.
Henrietta, age 21, who is wheelchair dependent and lives with an undiagnosed progressive condition, joins an elite group of dedicated volunteers who promote the events nationwide and raise awareness for organiser Mobility Choice.
The free-to-attend Mobility Roadshow is the UK’s premier consumer focussed event for people of all ages living with restricted mobility. Visitors have the unique opportunity to test drive adapted and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVS) around the famous Silverstone motorsport circuit. The popular Get Going Live! feature focuses on specific needs of young and novice drivers with disabilities, age 15 plus, with free test drives in the safe presence of a professional driver, the chance to try an impressive range of adapted controls and even take a mock theory test. Plus, inside the Silverstone Wing, a diverse showcase of mobility products, including wheelchairs, scooters and trikes, will be available for hands on demonstrations. The Mobility Roadshow displays the largest range of specialist adapted driving controls at any UK event focussed on independent mobility.
As 2016 Event Ambassador, Henrietta hopes to encourage people living with disabilities to visit the show and discover the wide range of mobility options that offer life-changing solutions. She explains: “Over the years of attending The Mobility Roadshow, I have started to become really nosey and I love finding new gadgets and inventions which can benefit me and other people with similar requirements. As a non-driver, I find the passenger test drives particularly informative as I can compare a variety of vehicles with different adaptations and accessibility options. Currently, I travel upfront in my side entry Volkswagen Transporter Wav which is superb. Having recently lost the ability to speak and movement below my neck it allows me to lead as independent a life as possible, with help from my Canine Partner, Zebo.”
Henrietta, a lifelong sports fanatic and Liverpool Football club supporter, is also keen to promote the Mobility Roadshow accessible Sports Zone, organised by exhibitor Let’s Play. Visitors may participate in free sessions of Powerchair Football, Wheelchair Basketball, Boccia and Disability Tennis and gain details for local clubs. Henrietta comments: “Sport has been at the forefront of my life. I played a lot of football when I was younger and competed at a high level in athletics. Whilst a great way to keep fit, it’s also fun and I have gained friends as well as confidence in the process. I would encourage anyone to take up sports and think the Mobility Roadshow sports zone provides ideal opportunities for people living with disabilities to have a go.”
Alongside sporting interests, Henrietta enjoys hobbies such as visiting National Trust properties and museums, gaming and gadgets. She says in recent months, she has become “gadget central” and uses an eye gaze device to communicate and use a phone and computer, and a sip and puff controller for her PlayStation. She also uses her motoring and mobility knowledge to write magazine articles for Disability Motoring.
Henrietta comments: “Attending Mobility Roadshows since I was younger has been really helpful to me and I have always managed to gain expert and impartial advice. I’m very excited that that this year’s event will be at Silverstone for the first time. That will provide once-in-a-lifetime test drive experiences for all show attendees! I hope other non-drivers will take advantage of the amazing opportunities on offer and find them as beneficial and inspirational as I do.”
