Off the legs

Hi #Ranald,

Although this is a place you did not want to be (none of us really want to be reliant on a wheelchair however it is powered) but at least you have faced your disability head on! Well done for managing different stages with different mobility supports. I'm sure that it not any easy decision to make, however, if it means you retain more independent mobility that's got to be a plus.

A friend who has been severely disabled with a long standing degenerative back conditions who has the added misery of Parkinson's Disease, will not accept that a wheelchair or motorised scooter will help restore / maintain her mobility. Whilst I fully appreciate that independence is paramount for as long as possible there is no shame in retaining independence with a motorised vehicle. Unfortunately, this seems to my friend like 'the end' and cannot allow herself to accept this as she feels that she is "too young" despite just becoming of State Pension age and is too proud to admit that she will require some kind of mobility vehicle to get around with. Fiercely independent she still drives and enjoys driving, she also says that driving is 'more comfortable for her pain than other modes of mobility support. Like you, she has progressed from walking stick (sticks) to Rollator but will not make that decision to use a motorised scooter or wheelchair. Unfortunately, she complains about her inability to even get into her own car without almost being 'carried' or at least requiring physical 'man handling' to get into or out of her vehicle and for this reason goes out rarely but does not want to 'be seen' needing to get in or out without this assistance. It is stubborn 'pride' and she is reluctant to let that go, so suffers from not going out.

I have to applaud your 'common sense' approach and acceptance that you now require suitable mode of transport to keep you independently mobile. Good luck with finding a more comfortable mode of transport that meets your needs and enables you to retain as much independence as possible.