Anyone know anything about mobility scooters?

[weegiemum]

I have a neurological disorder which makes walking very difficult, as I have no sense of balance and weakness in my legs. I have no idea where my hands and feet are if I can’t see them (for example I can’t clap my hands with my eyes closed - I miss!!). This also means I’m medically unfit to drive. I have a manual wheelchair which needs someone to push me. Wheelchair is nhs issued, I’m lucky. I use a zimmer in the house.

I've always been a big person and this exacerbates my mobility issues, however I’m now on mounjaro and have lost over 5 stone, bringing me into territory that would allow me to drive a mobility scooter. It would need to fit in the car and most of the lightweight ones are foldable and carbon fibre.

But there are so many! They all want to get a salesperson to contact me , which I’m not happy doing until I know a bit more about them.

so - can anyone recommend one, either the actual scooter or the brand? What is good or bad about them? Do they really give you your freedom back? I just want to be able to pooter about locally, pick up odd items I need for dinner, get to the chemist to pick up prescriptions, dander round a shopping centre with one of my dc.

Hi @weegiemum

I use a lightweight scooter similar to this one pictured.
It doesn't fold as such but the seat & handle bit are easily dismantled to fit in a large car boot.
Charging is easy and the battery life is pretty good.
The sest is padded but I also use a small memory foam cushion for extra comfort.

I cannot lift it due to my weakness but dh & ds handle it no bother.
I personally would avoid any 3 wheelers as they are not as stable.

If possible, go into a shop with examples you can try. Your leg length can make a difference to comfort but most seat heights are adjustable. You can then decide which features are essential for you, budget etc and go from there.

My fil has one which is larger than mine & kept in the garage. It can go on the road. Wing mirrors & a customized rain cover. Very comfy seat. But not one you would pop in the car to take on a day out. You would go out for the day on it.
He enjoys whizzing down the road to the shops & it has increased his independence again.