Hi, This weekend I hired a mobility scooter and my husband and I went away for the night.
May seem silly but I get embarressed by my disability, so I wanted to go somewhere where no one knew me to try out a scooter and get my head around the fact I may need one.
I dont need one yet for my day to day routine - this is just to give me time to adjust and accept the idea for when I do need it or if I get the chance for a day out of normal
So on saturday I hired a scooter an off we went. All went well for the day and I was pleased with it. It takes a bit of getting used to - finding dips in the pavement to cross over, and keeping an eye on others so you dont run them over! Also you cant talk as easy because your on different levels
You dont think of these things when you can walk about
Then, today we went somewhere where it was very steep an the scooter didnāt like it!
The road went down and around back on itself, but the footpath cut down between then, but they were steep. My scooter took off - husband was in front and held me back and I grabbed a handrail to stop me loosing all control and going straight in front of traffic - I was so scared and felt so vunerable - I dread to think what would happen if I was on my own
We went on a bit further but there was more slopes which I wasnt even going to try. We turned around and husband had to give me a push up the steep bit. The pavements werenāt that even,so it wasnāt the smoothest ride either.
I have a new respect for anyone who goes out on a scooter - I have lost confidence before I even get one. Im not going to rush out and buy one
Sorry for the ramble and Im really sorry if I have offended anyone - Its not my intention
@ACT1 - sounds awful! I remember my first go on a Scooter! Get you MS Team to refer you to OT for advice ?trial. The advice should cover insurance, legalities etc but also use on pavements or roads -I think the battery power and size will be a guide when it comes to buying and if there is a practise route/instruction area similar to the ones for electric wheelchairs. Good luck - it gets easier and look out for the bins living on pavementsš
I would suggest trying out a scooter at a National Trust property. They tend to be larger and advice should be given on routes and should be less busy.
They are useful for getting out and about. I think it is a good idea to use scooters when you are not dependent on them but allow you to do things you couldnāt do without them like 4 mile walks. I have a scooter but I probably only use it once a fortnight. I use a rollator most of the time.
I understand the embarrassment factor, but you will get past this when the benefits outweigh the costs. And I also get the fear and novelty of learning new skills. I would recommend that if you do decide to go for a scooter, you find a supplier with a good range and who offers to try before you buy. Some models are much better than others under different circumstances, so it is good to get the right one for you. I hope your mishap does not turn into a big issue and that you keep an open mind. I had a horrible incident but I changed the model and I am much more confident now, and for me the massive benefit of getting out and about is well worth the learning curve.
All the best
Mick
Sounds like youāre at a similar stage as me: can still walk a bit but not for longer distances.
I hired a scooter at Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer and it was wonderful! Made me realise just how far from possible it would have been on foot + a stick. I bombed around having tremendous fun and only ran into 2 pedestrians all day!! Shortly afterwards, my wife was on a cruise with a couple of mates and said that albeit a generalisation, many younger and mobile users had electric wheelchairs rather than mobility scooters, and having tried one, I bought a chair. Being ambulant over short distances and still strong in my upper body, I can drive and fetch my chair out of the boot and whizz off. Itās made of aluminium and has lithium ion batteries so is light enough to lift in & out of the car boot. In use, itās handy to stand up & walk a few paces, such as in a supermarket, and then plonk back down for the trip into the next aisle. Iāve not experienced ārunawayā as you describe but in a chair, if your legs still work, I imagine you could just put your feet down or stand up. It may not be the solution for ever but works for now.
Graeme
Actually it just highlights how bad some pavements are and the fact people insist on parking their cars on them is amazing. where i lived the town had pavements you wouldnt believe so driving a scooter was like almost impossible.
Oh sweetheart! I am so sorry your maiden voyage turned out not to be how you hopedā¦ I used Shopmobility scooters for a couple of years, before deciding to buy my own. I loved it and used it for 13 years, before I had to switch to a wheelchair.
I never did and still donāt like much of a gradient. If it canāt be avoided, I reverse and have someone watch me.
Iāve talked to many people, on here and elsewhere, about making the decision to go for wheelsā¦be they scooter, Zimmer or wheelchairā¦is a massive thing.
But once you get over the first few trips, youāll see how much your life has improved.
No more standing in queues, needing to get to a loo ASAPā¦going home early because you are so exhausted. Your days out will so much for funā¦ just try to plan a route that avoids those steeper terrains and no dropped kerbs.
Please donāt give upā¦you can do thisā¦,ā¦honest!
Thankyou for all your replies, you are all so helpful and encouraging.
I havent been put off as I know the benefits and the scooters do vary - I think the model I had is the only model this place hires out, and I needed one that would come apart or fold and fit in my car.
BIN there done that lol. Nothing nicer then driving through a park with the doglet and ending up with a new tyre cover of yes what you said. And try and get it off and out of the grooves UGH.
Hi Act1
Iām in a similar position. Recently I visited friends in Spain for a week and hired a scooter. It made me realise that it gave me (and my wife) more freedom. I could go with everyone for walks along the seafront, to shops and restaurants.
On my return I arranged a visit from a specialist company (Middletonās). They demonstrated 4 expensive scooters, all Ā£2k plus but it improved my knowledge. They tried to get me to order but Iām to wise for that. A quick internet search showed they were at least Ā£500 over the top.
After a bit more research I bought a Pride GoGo Elite Traveller Plus (3 wheel) on eBay for Ā£400. The seller was also disabled and genuine. Itās a boot scooter and comes apart easily into 5 pieces.( Two quite heavy)
Itās fantastic and has already proved invaluable. First weekend we went to Monkey world in Dorset with our two grandchildren. I was able to participate for hours in a way that would otherwise be impossible.
This week Iām taking my first solo train journey using it, the assistance available is fantastic.
So my advice is get one, use it and liberate yourself. Along the MS journey I follow the mantra āDo what you can while you canā
If I can be of anymore assistance feel free to message me
A c t 1
O t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n s m a y b e ?
U s i n g o n p u b l i c tr a n s p o r t.
B u s a n d t r a i n h a v e s p e c i a l a r e a a l l o c a t e d.
P o w e r c h a i r s h a v e p r i o r i t y o v e r s c o o t e r s.
I t s w e l l w o r t h c h e c ki n g e v e r y t h i n g.
E n j o y y o u r a d v e n t u r e s !
E l
Thankyou, if/when I o get around to getting a scooter Iwoul think it would be a 4 wheeler - I obviously dont know cos I havenāt tried one, but I would think 4 wheels would be more stable an given the weekend experience, pavements are quite uneven.
But saying that - when my child was little, I had a 3 wheel pram/pushchair, so who knows.
I read your post and whoaaaa, poor youā¦i can well imagine that you would be put off by all that, BUT ( Yes thereās a BUT ) the sheer happiness that flows within you when you achieve something you thought was a NO-NO using a scooter is unexplainable.
Persevere, donāt let it beat you, YOU CAN CAN DO THISā¦ and you will soooo reap the benefits.
1 experience for myself is taking my scooter through the woods to BE RIGHT THERE AMONGST THE AUTUMN LEAVES ( My favourite season is Autumn and my favourite place in Autumn time is the woods ) and i literally thought SOD IT, ITS NOT IMPOSSIBLE, IM DOING IT, which i did and i could have jumped for joy( if i wouldnt have ended flat on my back !!! Hahahaha )ā¦ i went home, made a hot chocolate and i was 100% fulfilled.
I completely agree with this - 3 wheels are extremely dangerous.
I consider myself to be an excellent and safe driver, (and modest) but could not believe how many times my 3 wheel scooter threw me! It only takes the smallest of cambers to have that effect, particularly crossings I found - and onto a busy road is NOT where you want to be floundering.
I will now only ādriveā 4 wheels. Elaine x
Made me realise just how far from possible it would have been on foot + a stick. I bombed around having tremendous fun and only ran into 2 pedestrians all day!! 
Shortly afterwards, my wife was on a cruise with a couple of mates and said that albeit a generalisation, many younger and mobile users had electric wheelchairs rather than mobility scooters, and having tried one, I bought a chair. Being ambulant over short distances and still strong in my upper body, I can drive and fetch my chair out of the boot and whizz off. Itās made of aluminium and has lithium ion batteries so is light enough to lift in & out of the car boot. In use, itās handy to stand up & walk a few paces, such as in a supermarket, and then plonk back down for the trip into the next aisle. Iāve not experienced ārunawayā as you describe but in a chair, if your legs still work, I imagine you could just put your feet down or stand up. It may not be the solution for ever but works for now.
but could not believe how many times my 3 wheel scooter threw me! 