After stupidly and stubbornly resisting for a few months, I finally came to the conclusion that if I ever wanted to get back to my garden proper, and not just the patio, I needed some assistance as my failing legs weren’t going to get me there on their own. The quick way to access the garden is via 6 steps. However, I can no longer manage the steps. The longer way to access the garden is to go all round the house. No steps, but now this is too long a walk for me.
So I finally purchased a mobility scooter, or quad bike as I like to call it, and so far it’s been absolutely wonderful. The sun has been shining and for the first time this year I can access the whole garden. During my absence, Mr Weed and his many friends have gone haywire and the garden is a mess. Well, look out Mr Weed, I’m back and little by little, I’m coming to get you.
We’ve sometimes got to accept we need extra help to do the things we enjoy. Not saying dealing with Mr Weed and his friends is enjoyable , but spending time in your garden is.
Hope your new quad bike helps you get out and about more.
Oh well done Derek. Isn’t it hard to take those steps with increasing disability. We end up missing out on things we enjoy because we’re trying so hard not to be disabled. If positive thinking were a good route to a cure, none of us would be on this forum!! Sometimes it’s only when we accept help or aids to assist us that we overcome the hump of disability.
That is wonderful news. I have always recommended people to have a scooter or wheelchair rather than struggle on and risk falling (if only I listened to my own advice) My wife has to tend our garden as we have steps down from the house and when I was an able bodied roof tiler I put steps up from the garage at the bottom of the garden if only I had known then what I know now. I sit here in my wheelchair looking out at the garden watching my garden birds longing to be out there. Still its good nnews for you and not so good news for those weeds. Have fun in the sunshine.
Thanks for all the replies. If I was a good at heeding my own advice as I am at giving advice, I’d be ok.
Stubbornness combined with stupidity is a deadly combination. Stubbornness combined with sense is great.
accepting help in whatever form when it’s needed, can be difficult but when it improves your life and makes things easier, it seems foolish not to accept it.
i’ve definitely overdone things in the garden this week, but the sun has been shining and the kids have been playing in the garden, so I’ve been “good” tired (tired after doing something you enjoy ) as opposed to “bad” tired (feeling wiped out having done next to nothing).
All good to read Derek. Being in the sunshine and doing something that makes you feel like you’ve achieved something has gone to add to the Feel Good factor.
Is your scooter transportable, as in can you get it in the car? If I get a motorised chair I will definitely need to be able to get it in the car. We live down a lane in a rural area, no good there…it’s around town/shops I’ll need it.
the scooter possibly would be transportable if we had a hoist in the car. Decided not to bother with this as the purpose of getting the scooter was to get me around the garden. Our garden is not flat, so the scooter needed to have some extra oooomph for the slope. Extra oooomph meant extra weight.
I’m with the wheelchair for the odd occasion when I’m forced to go to the shops.
I completely understand and respect the position of not accepting the consequences of this condition, there is quite a link to self image and perception. From personal experience I can also share in the joy of getting some stuff back after the stubborness allows me to go forward. Have a brilliant time in the garden. If you put this experience in “the bank” it may make any future compromises a bit easier.
Don … I have started to try a new strategy, rather than just doing my usual stubborn reflex, I try to think "what would I say to someone else? " SOMETIMES this leads to a smarter response. I do reserve the right to ignore sensible advice and still be a pig headed and stubborn grumpy old codger.
Being in the sunshine and doing something that makes you feel like you’ve achieved something has gone to add to the Feel Good factor.