From bed bound to bike bound - How Right at Home GF helped a wheelchair user fulfil a dream
Published: 26/08/2025
By going the extra mile, caregivers at Right at Home Guildford and Farnham have helped a client to do exactly that.
When 40-year-old wheelchair user Marley acquired a rusty tricycle, it sparked a dream to experience the freedom of riding a bike - something she hadn’t been able to do since childhood.
The unroadworthy bike had seen better days but this didn’t deter keen cyclist and caregiver Adriana Mendonca and her colleague Vicky from volunteering to take on the challenge of helping Marley achieve her goal. Together with their respective partners, in their own time, they overhauled the bike’s mechanics and resprayed the frame.
Adriana says: “As a wheelchair user, we weren’t sure whether Marley would be able to ride, but with some leg strength, sheer determination and willpower she smashed it. Hearing her joy as she pedalled forward and shouted, ‘I’m using my legs again’ was a memorable moment for us all.
When Marley first came to Right at Home, she was bed bound. By building her trust and showing what good-tailored care is like, Right at Home’s caregivers have supported her to achieve some remarkable goals including flying through the air on the longest zipline jump, climbing indoor walls and joining a gym.
Adriana adds: “Although these challenges can be physically painful for her, Marley pushes herself so she can experience freedom. If anybody says to Marley that something is impossible, it only makes her more determined. It is incredible to see her wanting to do more and more - she is an absolute inspiration to us all.”
Right at Home Guildford and Farnham provides home care and companionship to people of all ages. Personalised care plans help clients to live the life they want and to maintain their quality of life in the comfort of their own home. For more information about how Right at Home can help, visit www.rightathome.co.uk/guildford-and-farnham/.
