Mobility scooters and related equipment
Due to a rather picturesque range of neurological disorders, not to forget the devastating effects of advancing age, I have become considerably less mobile than I was in my younger days. Where I used to be able to effortlessly walk for many hours, I now move slowly at a snails pace, for no more than one hour, leaning on either a cane or a crutch – depending on how I happen to function that day. But I won’t complain: there’s nothing I truly lack in this life, and diminished mobility doesn’t usually bother me.
However, for the longer distances I presently employ a mobility scooter, which definitely makes me feel like a prince or even a king! Relaxedly sitting in a comfortable seat, nicely but never haughtly saluting the breathless 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 at a certain time I rev up the little machine.
There are lots of people much worse off than me, when it comes to physical capabilities. I can, though with difficulty, still walk – many others can’t. Especially for them the electric scooter is a great help, enabling them to be free again. There are 3-wheel mobility scooters and 4-wheel mobility scooters, and if you’re seriously considering buying such a contraption, I certainly recommend the 3-wheeled version. These are considerably more manoeuvrable due to their smaller turning radius, which is a great advantage in crowded or narrow areas. I also would advice you to go for batteries with a lot of capacity: it’s not only unpleasant but also extremely embarassing to find yourself without of juice when a long way from home!
Apart from electrical scooters, there are many more things and gadgets that make the life of the disabled much more pleasant. Stairlifts, bed lifts, electrically powered wheelchairs, walkers… they all help to make life much more pleasant for the disabled.