An Ecas grant to cover a powerpack and transport costs helped Ken reclaim his freedom. Ken’s daughters share his Ecas story.
‘We Can’t Direct the Wind, But We Can Adjust the Sails‘
How Ecas Helped Ken Reclaim His Freedom by Rebecca and Gemma
Sometimes, life after a life-changing brain injury can feel overwhelmingly doom and gloom.
The challenges are real — both emotionally and practically — and it’s easy to feel as though doors are closing all around you.
But it’s thanks to charities like Ecas that we’re reminded: so many things are still possible. It just takes a little more support, a bit of extra planning, and access to the right equipment or transport.
After a long journey through illness, hospital stays, and care home transitions, Ken had become increasingly isolated. While his spirit remained strong, the physical challenges of getting out and about were growing harder.
Manual wheelchair outings were exhausting and limited, almost becoming impossible, and arranging accessible transport was a constant logistical (and financial) hurdle.
That all changed when Ecas stepped in.
The generosity and support of Ecas helped transform life not just for our dad, Ken, but for our whole family. Through their amazing support, we received two life-enhancing provisions for our dad, Ken: a power pack for his wheelchair and a transport contract with HCL. These may sound like small things — but for Ken, they’ve meant the world.
Freedom and normality again
The power pack, fitted discreetly to the back of Ken’s wheelchair, has transformed outings, allowing him the mobility and freedom to get out and about and be Ken! We can now enjoy longer journeys with ease and comfort — whether it’s a trip along the prom, a visit to the local park with our dog, our local church, the theatre, out for a birthday meal, Christmas day, or simply feeling the breeze and sunshine on his face again. To Ken and our family, it’s not just a bit of equipment — it’s freedom and normality again. Just as importantly, the HCL transport contract has opened doors to so much more.
After years of struggling to find transport that could accommodate Ken’s larger wheelchair, Ken now has understanding and reliable access to hospital appointments, local events, visiting friends or even just the joy of a Sunday lunch out with family. This transport support has opened up Ken’s world in a way we hadn’t thought possible.
Access to the support provided by Ecas has offered opportunities to our family that may seem small to some, but to us, they’ve been transformational. They’ve restored a sense of possibility, choice, and independence — things that so often disappear in the aftermath of major illness. Ecas have helped Ken to smile more, engage more, and simply feel more like himself again.
Ken added
‘It’s hard to put into words what it means, because it means so much, that was a big help, excellent.’
Family moments we’ll cherish forever
As a family, we can now look forward and enjoy our days out together and that is all thanks to Ecas.
The support hasn’t just improved Ken’s quality of life — it’s given our whole family moments we’ll cherish forever.
As a family, we often return to a quote that’s become especially meaningful to us:
“We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”
Thanks to ECAS, we’ve been able to do just that.
With heartfelt thanks from Ken and all of us.
Thank you Rebecca and Gemma for sharing Ken’s story.
Ecas grants
Ecas grants are for physically disabled adults and children, living in Edinburgh and Lothian.
Grants are available to meet the costs of items or services you can’t access through welfare benefits and other sources.
Ecas grants have been awarded for many things including:
- larger household items such as washing machines, fridge freezers, cookers, furniture and carpets
- IT equipment such as laptops and iPads
- power-packs retrofitted to manual wheelchairs
- student fees, sheds and holidays!
Find out more about Ecas Grants >>
