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 @ProfessorMoody quite.

I despise the term special needs and would never describe myself as being "special needs" and I doubt many disabled adults would.

Where should we put ourselves?

90 Days?

Yeah, I wouldn’t say I’m special needs either.

It’s funny actually, because the sn/nt model is one I think parents of children with disabilities and special needs have fought for. I think it’s a step forwards, and really helpful within the education system. It’s worth noting that ‘nt’ is short for ‘neurotypical’ not ‘normal’.

However it doesn’t work so well outside that remit, and I don’t think it was ever meant to.

I am neurotypical but also seriously physically disabled, so it doesn’t quite fit. I also have had to get used to having that ‘disabled’ label because of my life experiences as a disabled adult eg reasonable adjustments at work and interviewing which I am only protected for under the Equality Act if I declare myself disabled and show clear evidence of that etc.

Re Mumsnet sections, I know that in the past Mumsnet have pushed back against having a disabilities section or a parents with disabilities section as it apparently fragments the discussion boards too much due to the small numbers of posters involved.

I don’t know what the answer is.

I avoid declaring that I’m disabled on most threads due to the prejudice on here (which reflects societies increasing intolerance of us I think).

As for the threads about disability on AIBU etc, they hurt my soul.

“The horrific disablism and prejudice, whatabouttery, I'm Alright Jack and benefit bashing” As @ValleyCloud so rightly describes them

I actively avoid these threads even though I feel guilty for not standing up for vulnerable people like myself, or ‘educating the masses’.

Unfortunately I’m not tough enough to endure the kicking you get if you attempt to do the job of ‘Spokesman of All Disabled People’ as Mumsnet have said we must. The kickings don’t make you stronger, they chip away at you and make you too damn scared to leave the house. My resilience is really low at the moment. I don’t have the resilience to be The Other all the time, to be hated, laughed at, rejected, ignored and excluded.

Aye @WellThisIsShit I'm also neurotypical with phys dis and the last time I did take a massive stand against disablism, the Educator role MN make us take guess what? Someone took offence to my (measured and expletive free yet robust) post and MINE got deleted yet all the nasty prejudiced statements stood

I use this username exclusively for disability now and use another name for the majority of my posts - you really are treated differently if people "know" or rather think they know

That's happened to me many times on here, Valley.

the threads about disability on AIBU etc, they hurt my soul

This exactly ^

This however If you think wheelchair means you’ve finally accepted 'it', don’t get one is bollocks, get the rights tools for the job everytime. No point sitting in missing out on life when you could be independently getting on with it just with the right set of wheels.

The ideal would be scooter and EWC so you can choose what you need for each trip but if I had to pick one it would be the EWC - easier to get around through shops, car parks, theatres, into taxis/buses(if the space is free!) etc.

I suspect you are referring to me withe accepting things comment about wheelchairs. In my defence (as poor as it is), I was only diagnosed two years ago and have changed from no disability then to someone with ms struggling to still emotionally deal with the whole thing.

The fact Im even looking at scooters is a step further than I thought I would be now. Reading comments on here, Im changing my mind about wheelchairs, but think, where I want to mainly use one (on grassy hills) that I need something that will do the job.

I've got a manual wheelchair that I can propel a little bit myself...say 1/3 round Costco with breaks. I HATE being pushed. My DH is the only one who has pushed me it in so maybe that's why!

I bought a Roma Cadiz shoprider mobility scooter 8mph, road legal, good clearance, suspension and big wheels.
TBH it scared the shit out of me at first. I've had it for 4 months now and it's life changing.
I live on the outskirts of a small town and the pavements are pretty shocking. Not something I had noticed before I got it! I can now confidently manoeuvre big kerbs that aren't dropped, down hill round tight corners and along bumpy roads pissing off motorists, along a busy high street using every ounce of patience I have somedays
I can get round a small Sainsbury's but if I accidentally go past something I need and don't want to go BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP all the way back up I have to go around again as the aisles are too narrow to turn around. Sometimes I go round multiple times because my brain doesn't work (MS)
I've kind of resigned myself to not going into the smaller shops......which is fine really. In the scheme of things it's not that important. I do all my shopping online.
I can get out the house....that's all that matters.

I did notice that people treat you differently in a wheelchair compared to a scooter. People avoid you in a wheel chair and EVERYONE talks to you on a scooter whether you want to chat or not

It's a big decision to make. You need to figure out what your priorities are. I and my dh who looked like he was having far too much fun tried a good few out in various dealerships. We ended up buying online for about £1000 cheaper! Dh and ds had to connect batteries and attach seat and basket etc.
My scooter doesn't fold so we would need a hoist to get it in the car. Just now I go out and about in my town on my scooter and out of town I need to take the manual wheelchair. Finances don't allow for both or a hoist
Another one whose PIP is used for living expenses.
Good luck with your decision.

Shit that was longer than intended

Professor moody

I have been watching endless videos of 10J

Do you take seat cushion out to fold and unfold?

Have you seen one with leg supports?

Does the original footplate stay in place?

Also, the tilt bars at the back - do they come off easily and do they have to come off each time folded up etc?

Pericombobulations - I was responding to the first comment!

It is a mindfuck to get your head around but my point is getting the right wheels for the job is just like getting the right hiking boots to go hillwalking in, don't see it as the end of a road try to see it as the best equipment for the job so giving more freedom not taking it away!!!!

No intention of belittling anyone dealing with these decisions, it is difficult and frustrating. I find it really helps to treat it like any other new gizmo designed to make life easier - phone/car/boots/coat/electric tin opener. I have known far to many people avoid getting the things that would help because of associated negativity and struggle for months before eventually getting sorted and wishing they had done so in the first place. I hope that makes sense!

Subtitles - I don't remove the cushion because my boot is big enough for it to stay on, but with a really small boot it does go smaller if you remove it.

I haven't seen one with leg supports, only the basic one I have.

Yes the footplate stays in place, it sort of flips over the top when you fold it up.

I didn't even know it had tilt bars I don't take anything off when I fold, even the controller stays on. I literally get out, fold and straight into the boot. Again though, my boot is very low and wide so it goes in without me having to lift. If you have a small or high boot, you might want to remove batteries first.

When I had my demo, I was able to test it in my boot, to check it fitted and to see how easy it was to get in and out.

Also a useful tip for any digging in bits of equipment - pipe insulation weighs nothing and is cheap, easy to cut to size and place with gaffer tape for extra padding.

this stuff

Can anyone advise me on wheelchair cushions?

I just got a new EWC and everything is great apart from the cushion is very uncomfortable and makes my arse hurt by the end of the day you know that numb sensation at the top of your arse?

My previous EWC was a molded leather seat but this is canvas with just an ordinary wheelchair cushion thrown on. I didn't have any choice about changing because the old one got discontinued and lacked replacement parts

Worried about Pressure Sores

Thanks Wings, it is indeed a headfuck!

Having not done several things this last year because I cant manage the walking required has made me realise, if I want to go places I like, then I need to get some transport. I have a friend in a mobility shop who is looking out for a suitable scooter, she also gets them repaired and serviced via her too. I trust her not to sell me something that wont go the places she knows I need to go.

Valley can you stretch to a sheepskin cover? Medical grade is best (for washing) but any is better than none, you can get foam cut to size as well if you want to try different material cushion and see if it helps.

Pericombobulations - good luck choosing one, I hope you get one soon and it makes for more adventures!

@ValleyClouds my sister bought me a cushion and manual wheelchair from Argos. Very comfy. I have a bony arse and weak arms so it helps being a bit higher up to propel myself. It's bigger than it looks in the picture.
www.argos.co.uk/product/6188555

I have a memory foam cushion with sheepskin on the top. It came from the same place I got my wheelchair - they sent it for free as I was worried about comfort.

I'm sure they'll be on Google - it's very comfy!

Bought - thanks @HappyHippy45

Now wondering if I should have gone for Sheepskin

You can do both

Ohhh, look at the height of that cushion! That could be the thing for my creaky knees...

As long as I can still reach my wheels, of course.

I've resisted using a cushion as it's one extra thing to manhandle and stow safely every time the wheelchair folds up. I do a pretty nifty stand-up, hoick-and-fold, and deliver ready-packed chair to cabbie or train staff.

www.kiwisheepskins.com/medical-sheepskins-cat11

@ValleyClouds
Cushion is the blue bit and the grey bit. Pretty thick and not slidy.

@PerkingFaintly were you talking about the Argos one?
It's got a handle and you can fold the chair up enough to get in car/taxi etc with the cushion vertically between the handles. It's not completely folded though.
I can't verify for speed though as my dh does it not me.