At what point do you give in?

[Gilead]

I'm disabled, always have been. However, it's now significantly worse and I'm waiting for a hip replacement. I should be in a wheelchair but this will severely limit my independence. Having said that it's just taken me an agonising hour to do a five minute bread and milk shop! I have friends who are walking the dog and I feel so guilty, I hate putting people out and I hate being dependent due to having been in a very controlling marriage. Something has to give though.
There may be no solution to this but I needed to sound off a bit. Thanks!

But getting a wheelchair wouldn’t be ‘giving in’ - it would be taking positive action to make life easier.

I can completely understand why you might not want one but, actually, apart from one or two unreconstructed theatres and historic houses I can’t think of anywhere I’ve been recently where there haven’t been people in wheelchairs doing exactly what I’m doing.

I should say I have been trying desperately to persuade a relative to take this option - their mobility is severely impaired and a walking stick or frame is just not adequate any more. As a result they’ve had to give up all sorts of innocent pleasures - and deprived their family and friends of their company outside their own house. Purely because of an anticipated jolt to their perception of themselves. It’s a shame ...

Please try to think again. You know the current situation is unsustainable.

I do. The stick isn’t enough. It’s the idea of golf running around after me that I loathe.

Golf??
Folk!

Would a motorised buggy be worth considering? Just to give you the freedom to get from A to B without exhausting yourself or triggering so much pain that you cannot do what you set out to do.

Sorry for offering a solution when what you wanted was an ear. I have no issue helping someone who cannot do something, or struggles too do something. But, as the child of a parent who refused to take the next step in the aids they needed, I find that the only help I ever resent giving is the help that would not be needed were they to accept that aids would make everyone's life better.

You have a valid point, although it pains me to say it!