Mobility scooter vs electric wheelchair

[JustBeingJobless]

I’m having to face facts - I need some wheels as I’m struggling more and more with walking and I’m finding I’m just plain avoiding going places as I can only manage a short distance, even with sticks or my rollator/trolley. I very briefly had a mobility scooter last year, but it wasn’t really up to much (didn’t like hills etc) so I sold it in disgust after getting marooned on a pine cone on holiday

I’m now looking at either a better scooter, or an electric wheelchair. Wheelchair just seems so flippin” final though, if that makes sense? Scooter says I’m struggling a bit, whereas wheelchairs feels like I’ve accepted I can’t walk and I’m not sure I’m ready for that!

However, a wheelchair would, in many ways, work better as I’d like to be able to walk my dog more and they’re one handed operation as oppose to having a steering column, plus they’re smaller and more likely to be able to go in everywhere (booked to go somewhere in November that doesn’t allow scooters in, so would have to be pushed around in a hired chair by my friend and I really don’t want that!), and it would take up less floor space to store.

I also suspect that people would take me more seriously in a chair; wrong as that is. One of my friends said she sees a mobility scooter and often assumes the person is just lazy, whereas a wheelchair says more serious disability. That attitude annoyed me but she has a point I feel. However, part of me still doesn’t accept myself that I’m pretty disabled, and a wheelchair feels like an acceptance of something permanent as oppose to something that may just go away (realistically it’s not going to).

Any pros and cons of scooters vs chairs that anyone can think of? Any users of either that can help me make a decision? Many thanks :)

Yes EWC = electric wheelchair

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ProfessorMoody, tell me more.

I'm having exactly the problems described above with the tiller being too far away, and with a scooter being too large for tight shops.

A folding electric wheelchair might be the business, now I have a secure shed to store it.

ProfessorMoody what make is it please?

Mine folds down to fit in my small hatchback boot. It's fairly heavy, though you can remove the slimline batteries which makes it lighter. I think it weighs 22kg but between me and DS10, we can get it in. DH has no problems at all.

The battery life is absolutely amazing. I can use it for days without charging it at all and it literally goes for miles. It has varying speeds and is good on different surfaces. It's great for tight spaces and I have no problems in small lifts, shops etc. The only shop I can't get into is Claire's Accessories.

You can operate it with one hand, so I can walk the dog with the other, now she's learned not to dive under my wheels. It takes up to 28 stone, has a little bag underneath and can be pushed by someone too at the flick of a switch if necessary.

Best thing I've ever bought.

It was £2000 though, so quite steep, but worth every single penny.

Is cost a factor? Because a decent power chair.. something like an Invacare Spectre is definitely more powerful, more agile and more durable than most scooters...but they are very expensive.
Having said that there are some bargains on ebay... I got a fantastic lightweight manual chair for a couple of hundred which would have cost thousands new, and also a cheap power chair (not suitable for rough terrain)
Also, if you get PIP and get higher rate mobility allowance you could lease a really good chair or scooter using that..and they are responsible for the maintenance. If you aren't claiming PIP it might be a good idea to try :)

Professor please could you link to your EWC

It sounds amazing

Search "BP4D Wheelchair" on Google and they come straight up. I have the 10J.

If you look on Facebook, there are videos of them being unfolded and used.

They also come out and do free home demos.

I'm not affiliated with this company in any way, by the way. I just bloody love my wheelchair

StillMedusa I do get PIP but not high rate mobility unfortunately as I could just about manage their minimum requirements when I was assessed. However, that was over a year ago and things have changed now so not sure if it’d be worth trying again?

Cost is a factor as I’m not rolling in it, being disabled and out of work, but if I find a make and model I like, I can attempt to hunt down a second hand bargain :) Or sell a kidney or something

I could nearly weep for what a massive game changer your wheelchair would be for me @ProfessorMoody I have an NHS issue one right now. I will have to look at saving for one.

Have you travelled by air with it and how did it fair in transit?

JustBeing - the company offer finance options :)

Valley, it's been utterly life changing. I haven't travelled with it, sorry. I don't do flying

People who say that money can't buy happiness have never been a person with impairments that can be removed with ££££ equipment and support

Oh that is absolutely the bees knees, ProfM.

OMG ProfessorMoody I love that chair, and they do it in purple The finance looks a decent option.

ValleyClouds I know exactly what you mean. My dad, bless him, bought me a downstairs loo for my 40th birthday recently. It cost £500 to have done, is extremely basic, squashed in the understairs cupboard and isn’t even decorated yet as couldn’t stretch to that, but it’s literally changed my life. Before, I was limiting how much I was drinking as the trek upstairs to the loo was just too much. It’s the best present I’ve ever had!

If you habitually use public transport, very few buses have room for a mobility scooter but an ectric wheelchair will fit on most.

Daft Q: how tall are you, and does it support you fully under the thighs, lower legs dangling, or do you end up with leg-weight on the knees?

I end up with tiredness and joint pain while using my lightweight manual chair, as it's so small my legs are hunched.

Oh I totally hear you @JustBeingJobless I'd be lost without mine

I'm only 5ft, I'm fully supported at the thighs, but I'm not sure how it would be for someone taller. DH has had a go (he's 6ft3) and said it was very comfy, but obviously that was a quick scoot round the park and not in it for hours. I do find that there are metal bits that dig into my calves a little, but I was assuming that's because I'm fat

I had a free demo though before committing, and they came and let me try it all round the village, folding and unfolding it, boot of the car, in my house etc, so definitely try one first.

I sold it in disgust after getting marooned on a pine cone on holiday

This is a story that we need to hear.

@MorningsEleven

We were at a place called Bewilderwood in Norfolk which is largely flat, but with a couple of inclines and lots of tree foliage on the paths (it’s in a wood). I was travelling very slowly and painfully up a tiny little hill, holding up what felt like the entire park behind me when I realised I was wheelspinning and not making any progress, but was wobbling from side to side rather precariously. The culprit? A sodding pine cone which had got lodged underneath and was lifting all the wheels off the ground. In front of about 35 giggling spectators! I fell out with it after that and it went on eBay

@ProfessorMoody who does your maintenance - and do you get charged for it?

It hasn't needed any yet, I've had it a year. DH checks it over and tightens the arms now and again, but that's it so far

That's so funny. I hope you find the right solution.

Am I correct in thinking though that if you wholly own a chair responsibility for funding the maintenance is on you?