I just got my new power chair, and it’s been a game changer!
I’m sleeping so much better because I’m not speeding so much energy on moving from A to B and that’s really helped with anxiety and brain fog. Knowing I can get where I need to be as quickly as I want at the push of a joystick has taken such a mental load off me.
It’s become obvious that a large chunk of the panic and fatigue I was experiencing was down to asking too much of my brain both on a conscious and subconscious level.
Regaining a lot of my independence has also done wonders for my mental health.
If you find yourself in the position of needed mobility aids after your stroke, I recommend speaking to your Occupational Therapist - or getting a referral to one - and pushing for the absolute maximum you need, and as you can always ‘downgrade’ if you find your condition improves.
What a positive post. And i am glad your powerchair has had such a positive impact on your life. I found the same when I got a mobility scooter. I would recommend it to anyone who may need one.
I agree. I beat myself up for years over the fact that I couldn’t walk very far unaided. The final straw came when I was on an excursion abroad and the tour guide came to look for me because I wasn’t back on time. I arrived back on the coach to be met by a sea of angry faces. I now have a nifty little scooter for ‘keeping up’ and can visit places I wouldn’t normally have attempted.
Massively agree Bobbi. I’ve never needed one (yet) but my wife became very disabled and it enabled her/us to go out again did walks in the countryside took picnics go away etc. We were able to enjoy the countryside again. There are also places to hire them for anyone uncertain or if you don’t want to cart one on holiday.
Btw many national parks have a quantity available to borrow or hire. I am not up to date but the Peak District and also snowdonia definitely used to but if using these it’s best to enquire or book in advance (websites will have details- I guess nothing has changed).
Great post Bob👍
There are so many out there Gaina. Lots of old railway tracks for instance the High Peak and Tissington trails all good in the Peaks they used to have trampers for hire as far as I know these are still available.
In Snowdonia the miners track on snowdon good to about 1/3 way up in wild countryside but it does need a scooter capable of gradients- they had a Tramper you could use & as far as I know they still do. Also cromford canal.
On the seaside proms and piers good and many coastal paths (tho not all).
Some water authorities have walks around reservoirs most are perfect for a good scooter. Ther was one with gates but the locks were opened with a RADAR key (used for disabled public toilets available on Amazon btw).
I used to find it was surprising what how much could be done. You had to do a bit more research- it would b disappointing to go 3/4 way to find a locked gate or a stile but this NEVER happened to us!
There are as you say websites and books. You can get very cold on a scooter so additional layers are a good idea to be safe.
Type of scooter you have also. Most if not all railway tracks & all promenades etc would be fine with a shopping type scooter but away from levelish surfaces a more robust one is needed. The national parks use Tramper rough terrain types - after we borrowed one on snowdon we bought one and that covered us for everything.
Hoping all this is of help to someone.
@Baldrick Campers. I used yo have e camper van, but it was stolen and the insurance would not pay out as it was not parked in Scotland. So £40.000 in the bin
Typical insurance. Quick enough with the premiums but not so quick when it comes to paying out. What did they expect you to do with a camper? Have a pitch on your driveway? Really annoying i am sorry you have had this experience.
I think the stigma around mobility aids stops a lot of people living their best life, unfortunately.
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