What’s Bugzi and how can I apply for one?
Bugzi is a small indoor powered wheelchair for children up to six years old. It is manufactured by QEF’s partner charity MERU.
MERU operate a loan scheme which allows children and their families to get a Bugzi free of charge. Families can apply to take part in the Bugzi loan scheme by filling in the application form on the MERU website.
MERU ask for a £100 deposit when your Bugzi application has been accepted, and this money is refunded at the end of the loan scheme when your Bugzi has been returned.
Cerebral Palsy Scotland Bugzi clinic
Our therapy team operate the Scottish satellite clinic for the Bugzi loan scheme.
When a child living in Scotland has been accepted by MERU to take part in the scheme, their Bugzi unit is dispatched to our centre in Glasgow.
We then set up a two-hour appointment with you and your child. This will be with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist from our team, and ideally someone from your child’s local therapy team. At the clinic, we will set up the seating on the Bugzi and assess which control options would work best for your child. This could be a single switch, multiple switches or a joystick, for example. If your child can be seated safely and appropriately, you can then take Bugzi home that day.
Returning your Bugzi
When your child has outgrown their Bugzi, or if it’s no longer suitable, you have the choice of having packaging sent to you directly to get the Bugzi ready for a courier to uplift from your home, or the Bugzi can be dropped back at our Glasgow centre for us to pack and send.
Each returned Bugzi goes back to the MERU workshop for safety checking and reconditioning before being reissued. When your Bugzi is returned, as long as there is no unreasonable damage due to misuse, MERU will also arrange to return your £100 deposit.
How often do you run Bugzi clinics?
We don’t have set dates for clinics. When we get a new referral forwarded to us from MERU, we will call the family to set up an appointment that’s convenient to them.
More information
To find out more about our Bugzi clinic and how you can get involved, call 0141 352 5000 or email info@cpscot.org.uk.