To Wheelchair or not to Wheelchair?

I'm 29 and it's becoming increasingly painful and tiring to stand and walk for long.

Last year I started university (very late in life😅) with the help of my rollator. I find myself missing days as I just cant bare standing/walking as much as I need to even with my rollator or my crutches.

I keep backtracking and talking myself out of looking into getting a wheelchair because "I'm being dramatic" or "it's not that bad" and "I can manage, I don't need one" and then finding myself a few days later wishing I had one so I might be able to go into uni that day or that today I could have managed much more/better with a wheelchair 😫

Aside from my internal battle on need i'm also very aware that people are not typically understanding on ambulatory Wheelchair users…

Overall, I'm confused and any advice would be welcome :)

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Technology and aids

Mobility

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education

Comments

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Effie96 😊 I don't use a wheelchair so can't give advice in that regard, but I'd say that you should make the decision that's best for you. Don't talk yourself out of getting one just because you think you're 'being dramatic'. If you need one, you need one! Could it be that you just use it on days where you really need it so it's there as a back-up? That way it'll be easier for you to attend uni.

onlymeagain

It took me a while to accept I may need a wheelchair and initially when I bought one I would only use it on holiday or where no-one knew me. I'd had a few comments about why I had been using a stick and crutches (Not in a positive way) from people who had known me since childhood and had always known me to be fit and well.
I did eventually start using a wheelchair locally and then a mobility scooter as that seemed more accepting for someone who could walk short distances.
I now have a powerchair and love it. Finally I can go out and not need to rely on someone else to push me or put my scooter together. It has really changed my lift. So I'd say if you feel you would benefit from one and it would improve your life, definitely go for it.

durhamjaide2001

I would highly recommend that you get an electric wheelchair because they give you a lot more independence and freedom especially when you are at Uni. I used to love wizzing around in my electric wheelchair when I was at college.

As well as this I wouldn't talk yourself out of it. Although lots of people do because they are embarrassed and I would definitely not be embarrassed about using it because at the end of the day you will find that you are able to do twice as much than you would of done without it.

sunshinebear

I have a rollator and had same problems just didn’t have stamina to walk far. I use a powerchair. My motto : Do what’s best for you never be afraid to get a mobility aid!
A wheelchair doesn’t mean you’ve given up or given in. It means you’re conserving your energy so you can use it elsewhere.if other folk don’t get that it’s their problem.

So do what’s best for you

My advice is do lots of research about what the mobility aid for you. For example, you can get a very lightweight power chair or scooter and some of them fold and you can pull them along behind you if you if you weigh not very much yourself. You have a lot more options as to what you can buy and some may be able to hang your bag on when you’re going to Uni. You you will definitely find it easier to get around campus just bear my mind that a mobility scooter you can park outside places and then get off and walk inside. Where is a power chair you have to wheel that inside so some places may be less accessible due to lack of space to move or not having level access. You may even be able to get a type of wheelchair you can attach your rollator so you can take both out.

Yani09

I think conserving energy is a smart move! Try it and see.. It is hard for some people to understand how a person can mobilise sometimes and not other times..sometimes it is ignorance of factors that make up the ability to walk… So much goes into the ability to walk.. balance, motor skills and so on.. Forget what others think and do what is right for you.. folks will judge a pigeon without wings for not flying!

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