Mobility scooters and related equipment

Due to a quite surprising range of neurological disorders, not to forget the devastating effects of advancing age, I have become sort of less mobile than I used to be. Where I used to be able to briskly walk for hours and hours, I now move slowly at a tortoises pace, for no more than one hour, supporting myself with either a cane or a crutch – depending on how I happen to function that day. But I refuse to complain: there’s nothing I truly lack in this life, and diminished mobility doesn’t usually bother me.

However, for the somewhat longer distances I nowadays employ a mobility scooter, which definitely makes me feel like a prince or even a sultan! Relaxedly sitting in a comfortable seat, pleasantly but never haughtly greeting the admiring passers-by, I zip along at either walking pace or double speed. When I feel relaxed I “walk”, when I really need to be somewhere in time I crank up the little machine.

There are many people much worse off than me, when it comes to physical capabilities. I can, albeit with difficulty, still walk – but a lot of others can’t. Especially for those the mobility scooter is a great support, enabling them to feel mobile again. There are 3-wheel mobility scooters and 4-wheel mobility scooters, and if you’re seriously considering buying such a machine, I would recommend the 3-wheeled version. They tend to be somewhat more manoeuvrable due to their tighter turning radius, which is a definite advantage in crowded or narrow spots. I also would advice you to go for batteries with a large capacity: it’s not only unpleasant but also quite embarassing to find yourself without of juice when far away from home!

Apart from mobility scooters, there are many more contraptions and inventions that make the life of the disabled much easier. Stairlifts, bed lifts, electric wheelchairs, walkers… they all serve to make life much more pleasant for the handicapped.

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