Introducing Jilly – a ‘walker on wheels’ who loves to experience ‘glimmers’ of the outdoors.

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It gives us great pleasure to introduce Jilly, who joined Outdoor Mobility back in 2024, as an Annual Member.

Jilly has always led a very active lifestyle. A keen swimmer, gym goer and dancer, she enjoyed taking part in amateur group dance performances in salsa and Cuban dance. Jilly also loved the thrill of her busy career in London, heading up national museum VIP, corporate and private events management, plus venue hire filming. Unfortunately, Jilly found herself experiencing some health issues, and was eventually diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system. A period of adjustment followed, and Jilly took some time out from work. Within three months of her return to work and after a series of emergency hospitalisations, Jilly was dealt another blow. A second diagnosis within a year - the life-threatening endocrine condition, Addison’s disease.  At this point, Jilly decided to take early retirement and left her busy London lifestyle behind, moving back to the Northeast to be closer to her family.

Back in the Northeast, Jilly found herself surrounded by incredible countryside, with so much to explore. She felt angry and frustrated that she was now limited to exploring everywhere by car only and by having to rely on help from others. A naturally sociable and outgoing person, Jilly said she felt ‘nervous and vulnerable’ about trying to get out and about and experienced a natural grieving process for the loss of easy travel. Her nephew suggested that she try a mobility scooter at an outdoor venue. It took Jilly ‘a long time to adjust’ to the idea that she needed mobility aids, but she found herself giving a scooter a try and found it a complete ‘joy’. In her own words, Jilly said she ‘realised how much she had missed’ being out in the beauty of nature. By pure chance, Jilly came across Trampers when she was watching a television programme in which a woman was using one. Jilly knew she had to give them a try, and she hasn’t looked back since!

Jilly couldn’t wait to get back to Cumbria and the Lake District – a place that has been very special to her since childhood – so she decided to go ahead and try a Tramper in Cumbria first.  The opportunity to get back out and explore nature was to Jilly ‘simply amazing’ and ‘the most life enhancing thing I had tried in a long time’. Her love of the Trampers was born, and she has since built a fantastic group of friends who love to accompany her on her trips – known on their WhatsApp group as ‘Wheels Galore’!

Jilly visited The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park last year, which she didn’t even realise existed beforehand! Jilly loves art and sculpture, and the trip there provided her with ‘a whole new experience’ – she felt that she had entered a ‘little paradise’. She also visited Sutton Bank last autumn, along with two friends who are avid hikers. Jilly said the views there are simply ‘spectacular’ and jackdaws were circling overhead, making beautiful song. She and her friends certainly weren’t disappointed. Another special trip was one Jilly took with her sister-in-law and her beloved labrador to Wray Castle. Jilly said it was so fantastic to spend time in nature with someone she is so close to and it is a ‘very cherished memory’.

Jilly has a whole list of our partner locations she plans to visit. Belsay Hall is on the to do list for this year, as well as Delamere Forest. Jilly has old friends who live very close to Delamere and she said the fact there is something accessible for her to do so close by is wonderful. She also hopes to visit Lowther Castle and Gardens.

Jilly finds that the Trampers are a tonic for ‘mind, body and spirit’. The chance to enjoy forest bathing again is wonderful for her overall wellbeing. In Jilly’s own words, ‘nature is a great healer’. The fresh air and beautiful surroundings leave her feeling an ‘indescribable rejuvenation’, calming her body and nervous system. Jilly loves to look for ‘glimmers’ of delight and she said that when she is out on the Trampers, ‘everything glimmers.’ The opportunity to experience a ‘new and different level of independence is beyond precious’, simply ‘inspirational.’

Jilly’s advice to anyone considering the Trampers is to ‘dive in – really enjoy it all’. In Jilly’s opinion, even a brief visit, if that is all someone can manage, is so worthwhile. Jilly finds the Trampers ‘very easy’ to operate and said she feels ‘safe and secure’. She admits she had some anxiety prior to her first trip, but she believes ‘everything is accounted for’. There is ample room in the Tramper storage compartment for all that she needs to be comfortable on her trip, and the walking stick holders mean she doesn't have to worry about her companions having to carry her things. She also loves the fact that the seat on the Tramper is adjustable. She can have issues sitting for too long at times but said she has never had any issue when using the Trampers – they are ‘supportive and comfortable’, across all terrain.

In Jilly’s own words, ‘my life is a gift, and I appreciate the ability to have a different experience’.  She feels she is now a ‘walker on wheels’ and the ‘treasured experiences’ of her Tramper adventures stay with her, long after the visit ends!

If you’d like to be featured in one of our ‘Meet a Member’ profiles, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at info@outdoormobility.org and we’ll be in touch.