Yahoo News Father with MS who has been unable to walk for five years trials new wheelchair that 'would allow him to walk his daughters down the aisle'
This the touching moment a father of two, who has been unable to stand for five years, trialled an upright wheelchair that would allow him to one day "walk" his daughters down the aisle.
Martin Goode, 57, from Furnace Green, Crawley, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 11 years ago, which affects his balance, mobility, speech, eating and breathing.
The former engineer, who stands at 6 foot 4, has been permanently confined to a bulky seated wheelchair for the last five years, affecting his independence and ability to carry out everyday activities, such as cooking or simply moving between rooms at home.
Now Mr Goode's family are crowdfunding to raise £12,000 for the new wheelchair, which would allow their father to essentially stand up.
The high-tech chair would mean Mr Goode could easily drive around the house, chat with friends and family at eye level and stand up to cheer on Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
His family, including wife Caroline, 54, and daughters Natalie, 26, and Cherelle, 21, say the new wheelchair would be "life-changing".
Mr Goode's eldest daughter Natalie told the Standard: "[The MS] affects his fine motor skills so he can't pick things up very easily.
"My mum helps him with washing and helps him get out of bed. He also can't cook for himself or go and get something from the fridge.
"While we are out at work he is mostly stuck in one place because his current wheelchair is quite big, so he can’t get around very easily."
Ms Goode said her father is an avid football fan with membership to Emirates stadium, and used to enjoy taking Spanish classes, going out shopping and playing chess.
But Mr Goode cannot go out by himself or drive anymore, needing someone with him at all times. He has not been able to work since 2009.
Ms Goode said the new chair will bring back some of her father's independence.
"When he used it he was so happy to see the world from his height. He was so happy to stretch out his legs. He had the biggest smile on his face the whole time," she said.
"It was quite emotional. We said that he could stand up to walk us down the aisle."
Ms Goode added: "He mentioned that when he was using the chair that he was being look at rather than feeling like a child.
"Some times people will talk above him [in his current chair]."
Mr Goode's daughter also said the chair will provide great health benefits for her father.
The new chair has a lying down function, which will allow Mr Goode to take a nap and sleep whenever he wants.
Currently if he wants to nap during the day he has to do so in a seated position.
And the chair will help his fine motor skills, including his ability to breath, speak and eat.
"It will get more blood circulating around his body. When he was standing up he could feel his legs which normally he can't," Ms Goode said.
The family started fundraising to buy the chair at the beginning of August and have since raised more than £5,500.
Ms Goode said the family is "overwhelmed" at the support their campaign has received.
