Does anyone use a mobility scooter? After the demise of my car, a whole nuther story, I am looking for alternatives. I can't walk well enough to reliably use buses without accompaniment. Was wondering if a mobility scooter might help me . I could afford to buy one and I only need help for local journeys , but I don't know what the rules are. Also I wld like to hear about how folks overcome practical barriers like parking and storage. Any experiences shared would be very welcome.
Thanks
Tony
Friend of mine rented a scooter, so he could find out whether it suits him.
There is plenty to learn about road going scooters.
Battery life is the big issue for him.
But overall the scooter is good. We live in a large village. It is also good for people like me who get harrassed a lot for lifts from the less able.
He bought a second hand roadgoing scooter which gives him a lot of independence. Council built a ramp so he drives to his door. Storage is a major issue. If you can walk a few yards to the shed/garage etc then its good. Friend will not do that so parks it in the hall. Scooters (well road going ones) are very big when you get them indoors !
On the roads they can be invisible to drivers, especially vans and lorries. So a huge bright flag is essential.
Colin
Hi Tony
I used a mobility scooter for a while when I was discharged from hospital, it was quite large but could be dismantled and put into the back of the car.
However, we are planning to travel abroad with our children and grand daughters next year to celebrate my 60th birthday and have bought a Luggie mobility scooter, so that we will be less restricted whilst we are there. It is very compact and easy to use and folds up and can be stored in a case or bag and can be taken directly onto a plane or boat.
I prefer to walk as much as I can but on occasions it has been worth every penny and means that I can travel by train as well, although we haven't tried this yet. We can now walk to our nearest station and jump on a train for a day out in London.
It is so easy to use, just don't try to do too much too soon. The website is www.luggiescooters.com. It's worth having a look. Good luck, I hope you find something suitable.
Regards Sue
thank you sue, that's really helpful
Tony
thanks for that Colin, there's a mobility store near where I live so I plan to pay them a visit, renting one for a while might be a good first move, storage will be an issue, I am not in a hurry, about anything, stroke slowed me right down so I can take my time to explore options.
will post up results as and when I make progress
hope you are ok
Tony
Thank you, I am fine.
Its a good idea to use a scoter if you are unsteady with walking. I am so lucky that I am steady on my feet. I have worked hard to get the legs to work and to equalize. And I have some way to go on that front. Yoga helps me a lot.
Best wishes
Colin
btw happy birthday! celebrated my 60th last year!
I wanted to ask about steering. I have left sided weakness and no function in my left hand. can the machines you use be operated one handed? the luggie range looks pretty good so I will certainly investigate further in due course.
thanks for the info, I really appreciate it
Tony
I had my car until recently which was a great help. I am working on improving my walking, and have been very fortunate to have some good physiotherapy help. it improves slowly but will be a long time before it is working well. I can do short distances ok but my nearest bus or train is not a short distance, and the fatigue element is significant even for the short distances.. buses are a bit scary because balance is not good. the train is ok except that for some of the stops I would use theres a huge gap between the platform and the train and also they sometimes close the door too quickly. once got my stick trapped in the door when the driver was a bit too enthusiastic about moving off. that was quite frightening so I never use it now unaccompanied. I am not sad to lose the use of the car, while I was approved to drive again I wasn't enjoying it and was quite anxious. so I am attracted by the prospect of a sedate 4mph without having to negotiate traffic. I am in an urban environment in South London. public transport is reasonably good but has the problems I've described. mostly I rely on friends and uber these days. my next big job is to see if I can get some suitable work or if not benefits to support me. I am a few years off retirement age so I have to take some action. seeing an adviser today as a first step. my exit from my previous employer was not a happy one and has damaged my confidence so I have all that to rebuild. my family is hugely supportive and I have some good mates in the community who help me keep a perspective. I do think if I could recover the walking it would be transformative. in the meantime a scooter might just be a help. taking my time. I am just emerging from a heavy fatigue episode and for the first time in days feeling a bit more normal. so I don't know what happens next, but I remain hopeful and I do keep smiling.
best wishes
Tony
Both John and I have, lng ago, written about how we walked to the house next door, then the next day to the one next to that and so on. My physical side isnt bad. And in no time at all I was managing one mile. What I failed to grasp was that there are two parts to walking again. One is getting the legs in to position and the other is fatigue.
I agree with the notion we really need to be accompanied on all but the shortest journeys.
My car gave me independence and I was grateful for that. But now I feel perhpas I could give up the car. Most of my journeys are very short. I did just 1,600 miles last year and that must cost goodness knows how much per mile. Well over £1 a mile.
I am cross with myself for not sorting out my legs some time ago. I am now trying to get myy right foot to point forward and that hurts quite a lot. The left side is ok. Yet I have left sided weakness. I think all the pressure went to the right and now the right side is complaining.
You have done well to secure physiotherapy. I guess I ought to do likewise.
I am now going to jump in my car to drive the half mile to a little church meeting.
We do worship cars (pun intended)
Keep at it Tony, we get there in the end.
Colin
Yes, Colin, my first walks were such an effort, but they have gradually improved. In fact, my partner is now nagging me to walk further. Like Tony, though,I cannot really go out unaccompanied. I have not been on a local bus for four years. Coach holidays are okay, because we have a local company that does door to door and specialises in old crocks like me.
Fatigue is the great bugbear. It is only 11.10 and I could nap now, but mustn’t till at least 12.30. I am currently getting physio for my weak shoulder, but doing the exercises is a bit painful. My local Active Seniors exercise group has been a godsend and through going three times a week my strength and balance has improved no end. I especially welcome the five minutes of seated Tai Chi we have at the end.
Tony, please keep battling on. We all get grey days, but have to learn to live with them. I do hope you get some suitable work or benefits. Being retired means I am financially secure but it must be worrying if you are not.
I also feel I am lucky to live in a small town as being in a big city would be beyond me these days. We also have good friends and neighbours and that is a blessing.
thanks Colin, that's encouraging. I live across the road from a piece of woodland where I used to run back in the day. I get out there when I can and devise targets for myself. I took my physio out there the other day and she estimated my usual trek up a slight incline to a bench and back again xwas about 400m So if I can stretch that a little each time I am very hopeful about getting back into my stride, literally. getting out into the green and the trees does wonders for my mental health as well, so the woods is another thing that I am very grateful for. I used to love walking and getting vout into the country so I am highly motivated to recover what I can of that, though I accept I won't have the kind of freedom and ease I used to take for granted. but there will be something. I will be ecstatic when I achieve my first mile, you notice the ' when'! it is a goal but I am moving towards it slowly. I know how long it all takes and while that is frustrating I now can accept that is just the way it is for me now some 40 odd months post stroke.
thanks for the exchange really nice to talk to you.
best wishes
Tony
Dear John
You are like the Halifax...going from strngth to strength.
I enjoy reading your posts and your great positivity.
I must organize some physioi to get my right foot sorted. I can get it straight, but it then hurts a lot.
I look back two years and realize how much improvement I have had since then.
Best wishes
Colin
Dear Tony
I Iike the thought of woodland walking. I do have access to a woodland and even better acces to a river bank. I must drive to them and walk a little way. Failing that I could go to Clacton and Brightlingsea and walk the promenade. I must do this before the winter cold sets in too much.
Colin
dear Colin
sounds lovely you must post up a photo if you have worked out how to do that, I will have a go next time I am out.
here's to happier days!
best wishes
Tony
Hi. I also have left sided weakness and no use in my left hand but have found the Luggie to be easy to use with one hand. I would definitely recommend it.
regards. Sue
excellent, I really appreciate the information, I will definitely investigate that range, could be a very useful way forward
Tony
Dear Tony
Further to or mentioning our walks. I now attach one snap of my garde, which confirms why I walk plenty ! And one of the local creek, which is a lovely walk to take.
This also highlighted how I havent got many snaps of the past four years. This stroke thing gets everywhere
Colin
that's a nice shot
looks very peaceful
hi Sue, couple more questions for you :
which luggie model did you go for?
can you get on a bus or train using one of these machines?
buses where I am (south east London) are not bad for wheelchair access, and local trains similarly. I don't know how well they are with scooters or powered wheelchairs.
I'm v interested in the luggie models. thanks for the link.
Tony
Morning Tony, not sure which model Luggie I have but will find out and get back to you.
Sue