Gina makes maiden voyage on new mobility scooter in Teddington

By The Editor 5th Nov 2021

Credit: Eileen Carney-Jones
Credit: Eileen Carney-Jones

Last week we reported on Gina Byrne's story of her mobility scooter being taken away by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Since then the campaign has not only managed to get Gina a new scooter but she's even been featured on ITV News!

You can read our original story HERE

Gina is three foot five and has spina bifida, a birth defect in which there is incomplete closing of the spine.

Despite living independently currently without this scooter Gina could only walk a maximum of 20m, leaving her virtually housebound.

Luckily however the people of Teddington and Meredydd Carney in particular were on hand to make sure Gina could still live her life to the full.

The campaign raised over £4,000 and once again showed the great community spirit that we have here in Teddington.

In fact the campaign around the town was so strong that the DWP had no choice but to reverse their decision.

Yesterday a delighted Gina took her new mobility scooter on it's first journey around the local Tesco, as pictured above.

The people of Teddington have been very vocal on this issue.

Andrew Lyall said: "This lady has shown great courage in overcoming her disability and deserves everyone's support."

Others expressed their anger at the DWP decision.

Brian Bolman added: "I know of Gina having lived in Teddington for many years and also attended the same Charing Cross clinic as her with my disabled daughter.

"It is an appalling decision of the DWP. I suspect it's all too common."

     

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