He was born with spina bifida, which limited his mobility from an early age and meant he has relied on a manual wheelchair throughout his life. In recent years, his independence began to decline. Pushing his wheelchair became increasingly difficult due to reduced strength, so Derek decided it was time to look for a solution that would help him regain his independence.

“Over many years of using a wheelchair, I’ve seen enormous technological progress, both in its construction and in overall accessibility. For example, a few years ago no one would have imagined that a product like PAWS would be so easily available” commented Derek. With one decision, he regained mobility, independence, and power.

Working with Cinque Ports Mobility – Support You Can Rely On

“I’ve been using the services of Cinque Ports Mobility in Ashford for over ten years. Because of shoulder problems, I struggled to move around independently in my wheelchair , especially over longer distances and they suggested the PAWS City with automatic docking. As soon as I tried it, I was extremely impressed and knew it was what I needed” - Derek explains.

He had previously tested various wheelchair power add ons, but his shoulder issues made connecting the devices difficult. Trials with an electric wheelchair also didn’t meet his needs and the automatic docking system of the PAWS attachment turned out to be the perfect solution.

“The people at Cinque Ports Mobility were, as always, very helpful. They brought the PAWS to my home so I could try it out. I also appreciate that they don’t use aggressive sales tactics – their approach is based on customer satisfaction” - Derek adds.

A New Quality of Life Thanks to PAWS City

Derek received his PAWS City in autumn 2023 and has been using it regularly ever since. One of his favorite activities is gardening, and now he can independently travel to a garden center 2.5 miles away, buy plants and return home on his own.

“Before, this would have been impossible, but thanks to PAWS I now have much greater independence and confidence, which significantly improves my quality of life. I use PAWS at least five times a week – it’s perfect for trips to the shop or simply getting some fresh air” continued Derek. He adds that passers by often stop to ask about his device: “I would certainly recommend trying PAWS – it’s a well built piece of equipment that makes a huge difference if you struggle with pushing a wheelchair. The area where I live is quite hilly, and PAWS handles it without any problem. If you live in Kent, it’s worth visiting Cinque Ports Mobility.”

PAWS City – Compact, Urban and Highly Functional

The City model is the entry level version in Rehasense German’s Power Assisted Wheelchair Systems (PAWS) range. It is complemented by the mid range Cruiser and the top tier Tourer.

The City is available with a 12” or 14” wheel:

• 12” is ideal for smooth, asphalt surfaces.
• 14” performs better on slightly uneven terrain.

Thanks to its turning radius of just one meter, PAWS City can also be used indoors. Standard features include:

• forward and reverse drive,
• traction control for starting on slippery surfaces or inclines,
• cruise control,
• Walk Mode.

Importantly, PAWS does not require any modifications to the wheelchair frame or additional mounting components. In addition to the automatic docking version used by Derek, a manual docking version is also available.