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New member looking for advice on buying their first mobility scooter
Spennylad
Member Posts: 13 Connected
Hi, My name is Tommy and have just joined this group. I had Polio at the age of 1yr 10mths. I am now 65 but have suffered from the effects of Post Polio Syndrome for the last 20 years. my legs have weakened considerably in the last 2 years so I am now looking to buy a mobility Scooter which is how I came across this group. Having never owned a scooter previously I am looking for any advice anybody can give me. I rented a scooter on my last holiday and found it of great benefit. I look forward to being part of this group.
Replies
Best
Richard
@JennysDad
Hi Spennylad
I think CareCo are the UK distributor so if you decide to get one you would need to go to them.
The Living Made Easy website is a useful resource for comparing equipment from different manufacturers:
http://www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/mobility and walking/class-2-four_wheeled-scooters-p/li_tech-air-plus-lithium-scooter-0119802-2104-information.htm
Best Wishes
Jean
Jean Merrilees BSc MRCOT
You can read more of my posts at: https://community.scope.org.uk/categories/ask-an-occupational-therapist
I became more mobile about 18 months ago using a powered wheelchair due to the motobility scheme.
We looked into scooters and chairs and it was too expensive and I have up hope... But the I met someone at a concert who told me about motobility.... So forgive me if you already know all about it... But I didn't... Its been fab so I want to pass it on.
If you claim higher rate DLA or PIP you can convert a small amount of this benefit into using the motobility scheme. I had heard of people using it to help get an adapted car... What I didn't know was that it can be used for a mobility scooter or chair.
I reapplied for my PIP as my back and pain had got worse.. Mit took a while but eventually I was awarded the upper bit of PIP.... 6 weeks later I had my chair and I've never looked back.
I called up motobility... And it was very easy. They helped me choose a mobility shop and a lovely chap spent as long as I needed with me to see what I needed. I tried loads of different machine sout then I got a chair which is perfect made to measure and suits our lives very well.
It took about 5 weeks to be made and delivered. Meanwhile motobility sorted out all finance etc.
If it's available to you I'd thoroughly recommend. Not just because it's been really good value but the support has been outstanding. Costs I hadn't even thought about like insurance, breakdown cover, maintenance and emergency repairs.... All taken care of.
If not available, have a look at local mobility centres but be aware these are for profit businesses and marking up is massive.
Are you needing it all the time? Is it for getting from home to shops/community centre etc? Will you be needing public transport etc? Consider using a wheelchair too if you'll be inside shops etc with it.
Best of luck keep us up to date
"I'm trying to live like a random poem I read that ended 'to bloom where we are planted"
Regards,
Tommy
I am 65 so couldn't claim PIP, however, I have just been given Attendance Allowance. I will use the scooter for travel into the town and at large shopping centres. I can walk short distances but my legs get weak very quickly. I need the scooter to be available at all times, hence I will keep it in the car and use it for anything nut short distances. I don't use buses so have that to face yet.
Many thanks,
Tommy
Hi @spennylad…..I've just come across your original post and your situation is uncannily similar to mine. I had polio in 1950 at the age of 2 which left one leg more badly affected than the other but thanks to the staff and surgeons of the NHS I was able to lead a fairly normal life till about age 55. Since then it's been downhill all the way unfortunately, with my GP reluctantly conceding that it is all down to post polio syndrome.
I'm now 70 and fiercely held on to my independence until about 8 years ago I admitted defeat and got myself a Sterling Sapphire 2 scooter which was literally a godsend but as my weaknesses deteriorated I was unable to lift it into my car. I then bought a second-hand Rascal Liteway which was easier to load and unload but had a much reduced range...still it was a good wee scooter and earned its keep.
Things are still going downhill and I now have a small[ish] MPV on Motability with a hoist fitted so that my latest scooter even though it is easily dismantled means that it goes straight into the boot without dismantling. It's a Kymco Mini Comfort which comes with a 16 mile range, full suspension, plus front and rear lights, all at a reasonable price.
After initially being too stubborn to admit it I am now really happy to once again have full independence without dragging a carer along any time I go out.
I hope things go well with you in your quest.....it's good to know you're not alone.
DLTBGYD.
Best wishes.
DLTBGYD
Yes, our situation is very similar. I am going to Leicester tomorrow to have a look at the Li Tech scooter and if it's o.k. I will be buying one. It will be strange using a scooter but I have no choice, my legs are getting weaker and i can't walk long distances. I'll post again later to let everybody know the outcome.
Thanks for your interest,
Tommy
Best wishes.
DLTBGYD
Susielockett
i notice that last year the Li Tech Marathon was discussed. I’m looking at it am very interested in it, and wonder nearly a year on can anyone give me information having purchased and used one for a while.
Any information would be very grateful. This is the first time I’ve had a scooter and don’t really want one, but I have MS and and my mobility is becoming very limited. I have been grudgingly using a wheelchair (but would rather try to walk) but worry about the toll it is taking on my husbands back, hence reluctantly deciding it’s time to buy a scooter.
it seems such a friendly site and I would be so grateful for any information from the experts here!!!
Hopefully @Spennylad and our other members can reply with their experiences with the Li Tech scooter.
There are other options on the Living Made Easy website.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Tommy
Can I ask other question please. In the write up it says it can go up an incline of 6 degrees, and converting it to what we normally see as the steepness of hills when driving it’s equivalent to 10%, or 1:10.
How have you found it going up hills? Obviously it’s not designed to go up steep hills as it’s not a road scooter, but my main reason for wanting a scooter is to use on days out with my family where there may be gradients. Shopping in supermarkets or shopping centres will be no problem, but I’m starting to worry a lot about my husband as he has back problems and pushing me around in a wheelchair is not helping. He never ever complains but I feel so guilty and worry about him.
i would be so grateful for your thoughts as someone that is actually using the scooter rather than just read the brochure.
Many Thanks.
I've been up and down many inclines and some have been more than 10% and the scooter has managed them with no problems. Also the scooter has performed well off road as long as the surface is fairly flat.
Can I just say the main reason I got this scooter was the Lithium battery. Before I bought it I hired a Pride Gogo scooter for 2 weeks while on holiday to test it(before this I didn't own a scooter). That scooter was good but the main problem was the battery, it was a ton weight. Carrying it between the car & house was a big strain on my back and my wife also struggled with it. I'm sure your husband will struggle with a normal battery. The lithium battery is only 3 or 4 kgs and you can lift it with 2 fingers.
Anything else, just ask. Hope you get sorted.
Tommy
Best wishes.
DLTBGYD
I’m so glad I found this site, you all seem wonderful people!!!
Thank you all.
Cheers.
Scope
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This page has information on mobility scooters worth reading https://www.wheelfreedom.com/information-centre/mobility-scooters/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnrjrBRAMEiwAXsCc4_0psHK1bmiBpNTylN2xueiYE0lhQzJHTumdbYqJZMgXBVryxJ-D-xoC9X0QAvD_BwE
If you have any other questions feel free to ask. My advice is to visit a store and test drive scooters as well. Discuss your needs with the team and do not be afraid to ask questions either. Good luck!
Hope this helps, please feel free to ask any further questions.
Tommy
I have a Pride Go Go Traveller which I use mainly on paths and sometime visit country fairs and houses which means travelling on short grass (dry) and gravel. However the Go Go has become electronically unreliable. I have on loan a Pride Apex Rapid, with suspension, which using the small 12ah battery it's totally underpowered for my purposes. The weighty 17ah battery it comes with, is a backbreaker and is a no go for my pit mechanic wife! Hence my keen interest in the Li-Tech Marathon which seems to have everything I require in theory. Naturally I was a little disappointed to read about the wheel/tyre problem.
Would you describe the Marathon build as delicate or robust, and do you think it will cope with a bit of rough uneven ground for time to time?
Finally you mentioned that the tyres slipping of the rim was dealt with under warranty, was that undertaken by the Li-Tech or Careco and did they come to you or you to them?
I look forward to hearing from you
Regards
Terry
The scooter is fine for occasional off road use. I would describe it as a delicate scooter and i normally stick to good surfaces whenever possible. It is fine for grass, i often go to our local park and it has no problems. On gravel it works o.k. and the suspension helps on that occasion. The only issue on gravel is if you attempt an incline the wheels sometimes skid. The smaller wheels on this scooter are mainly meant for good surfaces, however, I have always got where I needed to go.
The warranty was supplied by Careco and they send an engineer to you. When I had the first wheel problem they arranged for an engineer to come to my house, however, this took a few days to arrange and when he arrived he thought the wheel had been delivered to me but in fact he should have brought it. Subsequently I asked for the wheel to be delivered overnight and I fit it myself, i didn't want to wait another few days. When I had the second wheel problem I just asked Careco to send the wheel to me but unfortunately they sent the wrong one so it took a few days before I finally got the right one and fitted it myself.
Careco stores and the sales staff are very good and helpful, but unfortunately I can't say the same for customer service. They are not very responsive and if you have a problem they are not quick to respond. I do not use my scooter all the time, only for longer distances, so I can manage without it for a day or two but my concern now is if I have a more serious problem e.g. with the motor, it may take quite a while to resolve. As they use third party engineers sometimes they are not available in my area for at least a week.
Having said all that I do love the scooter. It is easy to assemble/disassemble and my wife can lift the pieces in and out of the car on her own if I can't help at the time. The battery is very light so is easy to take in and out of the house for charging. The airsafe battery you can literally lift with one finger, it is that light.
Regards,
Tommy
Thanks for your informative post especially the bit about the battery.
Regards,
Tommy