Minimo makes out-all-the-time-Andrea happy
Nothing stops Andrea going out. Even disability. Osteoarthritis may have caused her walking problems, but it has not put a halt on enjoying new experiences. That’s because of Andrea’s mobility scooter – a Minimo Autofold. “Without my TGA scooter I could not do what I do, that’s the bottom line,” she begins. With over 40 festivals, concerts and events planned every year, Andrea is keen to tell the world that you can go out confidently with a disability.
Andrea is in her sixties and lives in Leicestershire. It’s not been easy for her to retire from retail marketing. So, what’s she doing instead? Volunteering and making memories – made possible by her scooter that folds automatically and fits in the car with the help of a hoist. “I’m a real gad about; I won’t be kept in the house. I just like going places,” continues Andrea. “My Minimo makes it all happen. I have a partner, but he doesn’t like going out as much as I do so I go out on my own.”
“I’ve had my scooter for around three years now. Personally, I like it because it feels sturdy. And it’s reliable. I’ve seen a lot of others around that look quite flimsy. I use it to go to the shops, mainly for food shopping but also like visiting market towns with small boutique and independent shops.”
“What I really love though is taking it to festivals and gigs. I’ve been to Glastonbury many times where I helped as a volunteer this year. I go to concerts as well as I can park my Minimo in the wheelchair space at stadiums. I’ve been to see Robbie Williams at the Arsenal ground. I’ve also seen Rod Stewart at Badminton, Taylor-Swift at Wembley, listened to open-air opera at Glyndebourne and been to the Chelsea Flower Show which is really accessible. ”
The more Andrea goes out, the more she wants to encourage other people with all disabilities to do the same. “I’m passionate about encouraging disabled people to get out there. You seem to see a lot online about things being difficult with a disability. It can put you off going out whether you are able bodied or not. In my experience, 95% of the time it doesn’t go wrong. Fair enough things should be called out when there is a problem. But please not doom and gloom all the time. I’m a vulnerable woman who goes to London on my own in the day and at night, for the theatre and gigs, and I’ve never had any problems.”
On the topic of travel, Andrea’s keen to share that flying with a scooter can also be positive. “I’ve taken my Minimo on a plane twice to see my son in Lithuania. I’ve flown from Luton thinking everything was going to go wrong and it didn’t, it was absolutely fine. You do need to do your research and book your assisted travel before you go though. Basically, when you travel you need to take your manual to prove the weight, size and what type of battery your scooter has.”
“When I got to Vilnius it was fun. All good. As my Minimo folds down to the size of a small suitcase I could get it in the boot of Ubers and on local buses; so easy as there was lots of public transport. I had to take my time over the cobbles in the old parts, but it was fine. I thought Eastern European cities were behind the times, they are not. Vilnius is a beautiful city with a growing economy.”
As autumn approaches, there’s no surprise Andrea still has loads planned for 2025. She’s off to a film premiere at the Royal Festival Hall, the new V&A East to see a David Bowie exhibition, a gig at the O2, a concert at Ely cathedral…her diary just keeps on giving. All with her trusted travel buddy – her Minimo Autofold.
