They were born to be wild. Brent Geese are the connection between Ireland and arctic Canada – if you were ever looking for such a connection. I wasn’t looking for a connection but a reason why there were hundreds of wild geese on this green in Kilbarrack in Dublin the other day when we went there with Pádraig to look at a wheelchair accessible car.
Turns out they arrive here in September, stay for the winter months and then go back to Canada in the spring time to breed. Almost 50,000 of them apparently. Many of them stay in Dollymount, on Bull Island, but some spend some time feeding on various greens during the day apparently.
We established that Pádraig’s wheelchair and himself fit into a Kia Sedona which is the only car I’ve found that wasn’t built as a van and then converted into a ‘person-car’. It’s nice, it’s comfortable, quiet, with a great suspension. Downside is: they don’t build them anymore. So I’ve started to look around to find out whether there are any good second hand deals in Ireland or the U.K.
What we want to do is, I guess, travel – a bit like the wild geese. Not being confined to one place. Being able to see other shores. Go places. Not being stuck in a room. The car Pádraig was given to by our very dear and generous friends has been a life-changer. I could just not imagine how different the past two years would have been without that car. But unfortunately, it’s a bit small for him and it is very shaky, especially given the large wheelchair he’s in and his lack of body control.
We’re Born to be Wild – and that’s how we’re going to live our lives!
Hospi-Tales 
I recommend you try Gabriel Hession at Freedom Mobility (0877607879)
Many thanks, Martin – texted them today:)
Delighted you got so much use out of it. Very best of luck with finding exactly what you need😀
The Doblo has been the most life changing ‘item’ for Pádraig, Marguerite. It brought us to the train station 150km away from Hamburg in Diepholz to go to Lourdes, just a few days after I collected it from your family; it allowed Pádraig to move around in Hamburg; we drove 7+ hours to Pforzheim; two days via France and the ferry back home; back and forth to the NRH I don’t know how often; to Leitrim for day trips and an overnight; and many, many more trips with Pádraig to allow him to re-join ‘life’ and do with us things everybody should be able to do with their family! Pádraig has been moving in the Doblo for almost two years now and it really has changed his life! We have learned so much about his needs over the past years, and his needs have been changing, in relation to cars – for example that his wheelchair is so large that even if it is securely tied down in a car, it will always move and be wobbly, because of its structure. The way it looks (car dealers are not that responsive and there doesn’t seem to be a huge selection of cars out there), he’ll be using the Doblo for some more time, but eventually, we want to make it as comfortable as possible for him to travel, short and long distances, and make it as easy and smooth as possible to move him into and out of the car. – The decision you took as a family to pass the car on to him was so generous, thoughtful, and incredibly helpful, and it had a huge impact on Pádraig’s and our life! You know all this already, but I just wanted to say it again. Thank you!