Unsure if its the time to get a mobility scooter

Agoraphobe
Agoraphobe Online Community Member Posts: 9 Connected
in Transport and travel

Hi everyone sorry if this is the wrong page for the this but I would like peoples views on something. As the title says I'm uncertain about if now is the right time to get a mobility scooter for myself. For some background I'm male 45 with fibromyalgia, possible EDS, BPPV and numerous stomach issues and have daily headaches etc. I also have some mental health issues and Suspected high functioning Autism. For the last few years I have struggled with walking and constant stop start etc. Some days are ok others Its very difficult and now every day my balance issues are getting worse where I'm wobbling around and needing to grab hold of stuff especially later in the day as the more tired I get. The bppv is also very problematic with sudden dizzy spells. I've been using an electric bike but after a feeling very unbalanced while on a short ride and the other issues its made me think about making the change to a mobility scooter to get a greater level of freedom. I feel very reluctant and hesitant about this and would love to hear other peoples experiences about their own first steps or decisions into taking this step.

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  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,468 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Agoraphobe ☺️ I don't use mobility aids at the moment, but I did for large parts of my life. I used a self-propel wheelchair and then later a mobility scooter.

    It can be a really tough and personal decision, but for me it was a real life-changing thing. Like you, I felt really reluctant to use anything at first. I think some of that came from being a teenager and not wanting to stand out, but once I'd made the choice it made such a difference for me. The freedom to get out and about on my scooter with less pain and tiredness had a real positive impact to my mental health.

    I think at the time, part of me saw it as a failure that I needed to use these things which is just totally not true. In reality, it opened up so many possibilities for me and meant I could enjoy some more of the parts of life that other people do without thinking.

    What do you think is the thing you're most reluctant or hesitant about?

  • Agoraphobe
    Agoraphobe Online Community Member Posts: 9 Connected

    Hi ya thanks for replying and telling me how things were for you. I think I feel at times like a fraud over everything despite being on the high rate for pip on daily living and mobility. I think its also that I tend to try and play down things like my mobility issues or say well I did ok the other day by moving a few things around the garden etc or going for a short walk. I also act as a carer to my elderly parents one of which has dementia. Maybe I feel like I could or should be doing more independently etc. A part of me is thinking also its time time to make a change and try something as apart from family I'm almost completely social isolated.

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,468 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    It's so hard sometimes @Agoraphobe, I can totally empathise with feeling like a fraud and downplaying what you're going through. If you think that having a scooter will help you get out and about more often and be more independent, then it sounds like it could be a positive change. It'll always be totally up to you how much you want to use it, too.

    Perhaps you could look into renting one at first to see how you get on?

    If you feel up to giving it a go, the Motability Scheme offers scooters if you're on high rate PIP mobility: https://www.motability.co.uk/whats-available/scooters-wheelchairs

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