To ask you what you TRUTHFULLY think when you see a 'young' and 'healthy looking' person on a mobility scooter?

[fassbender]

I have multiple sclerosis and am 36 years old. Over the past year my walking has got worse (I use crutches) and I am now thinking that I need a mobility scooter. It sounds silly, but I am so nervous! I know that I should have a 'screw what everyone else thinks' attitude, but I think that I am going to feel self conscious. I live in a small town and have been well until recently so I know that I might get lots of questions/pitying looks. I also wonder what people will think if they see me at the park, for example, and then I get out of the scooter to play with the kids, then get back in to go home.

Found it :) linky

And photos I found too... look at this!!! look at this! Can you imagine ...

Not been on holiday, to the beach, even on a day trip since I got trapped in my body. To me, the idea of going along the waters edge or just in a field, unreachable, laughably out of reach. The idea that I could do it, and in a truly exciting way, not a diluted down 'not as good as the nornal people' way, but in a way that even nornal people would want to do... Well. I hope he's still going if I ever got well enough for my neck & back to survive the bumps, and if I ever saved up enough money to go on holiday there.

Damnit, made self cry.

misc, that is absolutely fabulous! That would be such fun. I hope you manage to get a go on one. x

The pony looks really fun! Special occasions though; I'm thinking about Glastonbury Tor and Golden Cap. It would definitely be worth it, and I'd get up both of those more easily than I did in my old, pre-disabled life.

Hope you get it, Misc.

Love this Sophsy

On one occasion I had a child see me later on and inform me that there was another lady with wobbly legs and he'd said hello!

OP when I see mums In scooters out with their children I admire them for doing a great parenting job, despite their difficulties. You can't stop people thinking otherwise, but you can ignore them. Dont worry about people looking when you get out of the scooter, if they do look then they are ignorant.

Would you have a UKIP sticker on your scooter? That I might notice. Otherwise, I'd think nothing too.

If you're in Norfolk, my Grandma has two lovely pristine scooters (one of them is a bigger, bulkier one, the other smaller and, er, zippier ). Her mobility is really reduced now so relies on her wheelchair. The scooters need a good home. They're red. One lady owner.

PM me if you're anywhere local?

Thanks Grantaire unfortunately I I am a few hours away so that would be tricky, thank you any way!

I've been using shopping scooters since I was 27. First time I was a little embarrassed but my friend practically forced me to use one and since then it's never been an issue. I'm slightly embarrassed the odd time I've not had my sticks but no one notices.

Oh that's a shame. I'd happily have ridden it over to you if you were local. I might see if the local hospice and respite care place wants them.

The best days out I ever have are at places that hire out scooters, I love zipping round having fun with the children

I have a wheelchair but can't selfpropel and can only go a very short distance on crutches/with a frame so a scooter gives me so much more freedom

I can't wait till the day I can buy one, I will be a menace so excited

I think they must either have even worse musculoskeletal problems than me or some other invisible condition affecting their ability to get around.

I wouldn't think much more than 'they must need it' - if I actually noticed at all.

Empathy, I am 37 and use a mobility scooter when our alone as I can't self propel my wheelchair. Definitely get one op mine made such a difference to my quality of life.

I am not talking about people who have become very fat because they are disabled, I am talking about people who disabled by their extreme, off the scale obesity. I think most of us can tell the difference - I know I generally can.

I know you posted this yesterday, but wow, aren't you clever.

Massive amounts of body fat sag, whatever caused it to get there. It's that pesky thing called gravity.

PonyAccess - none of that would look the least bit out of place where I live!

I wouldn't look twice. Age and apparent disability is irrelevant, if you're using one, I assume you need one.

In the shop I work in, we get quite a few scooter riders, probably because we've got nice big aisles (and we pack all your shopping), can't say I've noticed many morbidly obese scooter users.

I say do it. Get a scooter. I can't imagine how hard it must be to manage a simple shopping errand or trip to the park on crutches, if a scooter will make those things easier, go for it.

Thanks to MrsKravitz for answering my questions about the Luggie (very belated ; sorry MrsKravitz, that was very rude of me). Shame, but no, it wouldn't work round here.

I wondered if anyone knows this, but I already hire a scooter through motability, which is suitable for getting around where I live, however I need a second scooter for travel and am not sure if I can hire another through motability or whether I will need to buy, which I am not sure I can afford.

Can I hire a second scooter through Motability?

Fan as far as I understand no you can only hire one. However do ring them just in case.
Have you tried eBay for a second scooter?

I'll speak to them in the morning, two would be better as I need one that's able to do a lot of running about town, and then I need one small enough to travel. I'll try the second hand register here too I guess, and maybe see if there is any funding available.

I've got a hidden disability and have recently got a powered wheelchair. I've had a self propelled one for ages but can't push myself due to pain and weakness in my hands. Plus I've got DS1 who is 4yo and DS2 who is 11mo and who is mega heavy.

I didn't know whether to get a scooter or a chair but opted for the chair and I'm glad I did. Scooters make my shoulders and hands hurt as they are in front of you all the time and scooters are not always allowed in shops. My new chair is fab and means i can go shopping and do more than one thing. Plus I can go out with the baby on my own. He sits on my knee and when we are going fast he puts both arms in the air like he's on a rollercoaster.
I've even braved the school run in it. I felt very self conscience and embarrassed to be in it at school but everyone was really nice.

I have to say it wasn't an easy decision but I'm glad I made it. Good luck!

FanFuckingTastic, I don't know the answer but if you don't ask you don't get. We have a local charity here which will rent out chairs/scooters (and lots of other things too). I once rented a scooter from them for 20 quid for the week, very cheap. There are also 2nd hand scooter shops around; I got mine from one for about 1/10th of the price of a new one.