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.

Woah, those are ace OnIlkey

And thank you MrsDeVere, I think it would make a massive difference me me and my family, great to hear the OH's view too x

If there's one thing MN has taught me it is the prevalence of the hidden disability. So I would think not much of it, except perhaps how crap it is the bad things happen to good people.

I had to channel all the power of MN though in Disneyland the young couples scooting in formation two abreast and then zooming to the front of every ride or ice cream line, leaping off and knocking kids out the way. My JP's nearly cut me in half that day.

I have ME/CFS so am aware of hidden disabilities and wouldn't think anything.

I wish I had met people who are on the thread on the odd occasion I have had to use a wheelchair. When pregnant I had really bad spd and could barely walk by the end and used a scooter in Tesco. I found many people stared, as they did when I used a stick and when I borrowed my nans wheelchair to go in town.

When we were on holiday I stupidly went bowling with the DCs which crippled me the next day so the only way to get around was for DH to go and hire a wheelchair for me. It was a life saver and meant I didn't have to sit in the apartment all day alone. However whilst people did move out of the way, I found I got stared at a lot. When we needed the lift there was a large queue of prams and only one would fit in at a time, I said to DH I'd hobble down the stairs and he could carry the wheelchair. I was clearly struggling when I was walking but it didn't top everyone staring as I got up and walked then got back in at the bottom.

I have unfortunately found people seem to be pretty ignorant but it's nice to read that there are those that don't think we are faking it and getting up whenever we fancy.

Like everyone else, if your age registered at all, i would assume you had a disability and due to family experience may even wonder if it was MS. I would venture a brief 'there but for the grace of god' thought, and then carry on with my day.

I certainly wouldn't judge you or think less of you, in fact would be more likely to admire someone making the best of the hand they were dealt.

If anything, I would probably think 'there but for the grace of god go I' and be grateful that we live in an age where such technology is available for those who need it. Apart from anything, don't they cost a bomb? I can't imagine anyone would choose to spend their hard-earned cash on one if they needed one, so only the dimmest of the dim would have a negative reaction surely?

Forgot to add it does put me off using one even though I know I will have a better day out with it as I won't get exhausted which then makes me headachy and grumpy and just want to go home. I know I'll need to suck it up though if we go somewhere like legoland or euro Disney because I'll be shattered very quickly and feel rubbish for the rest of the time. It's the getting up and down that makes me reluctant, knowing that people will be judging me as I get up out of a wheelchair to walk.

I'd think you had a hidden disability (i have one too). Sod anyone who thinks badly!

I used to use a scooter and actually stopped due to the looks. I'm overweight as well - caused by my disability, but I did feel judged.

I now use an electric wheelchair and find people much better/more helpful I.e opening doors for me.

Someone above mentioned that they assumed scooter users can walk a little as opposed to wheelchair users. Please note many wheelchair users can still walk a little - whether electric or manual. So please expect that and don't give funny looks.

Wouldnt think a thing except would that lady like me to hold the door open for her/offer her assistance if she looks like she needs it or am I going to get a mouthful of abuse for trying to be nice.

I wouldnt give you a second thought but i see where you are coming from I bought a wheelchair last year after stubbornly struggiling to keep up with my family on days out and all that. You are self concious (spelling) and perhaps seeing as giving having ms must be a struggle and your scooter will help you live your life a bit better get 1 nobody will think anything.

crapbag suck it up I walk but need my chair i get in and out of it i do get looks sometimes but thats the gawpers problem not mine took me a while to get to this point mind you but other people dont matter what matters is you and your family enjoy a day out or holiday together without having to leave early or whatever.

One thing you will notice immediately is how reliant on dropped kerbs you are.

And how may motorists ignore them

my mum is a disabled. Uses a scooter, but you can't tell she is disabled. She has come in for a lot of flack for using disabled spots, particularly on days she doesn't need to the scooter.

The worst judgment and abuse usually comes from other disabled people and/ or the people with them. Really people who shouldn't better.

I don't think anything when I see people on scooters. Apart from one elderly gentleman who goes to out local shop with 3 grandkids tucked on it. One Sat between his legs, one stood in front off him (so he has to look round the child to steer) and one dangling on the back. That does make me

That they needed it. No one would have one otherwise!!

Thing is what does disabled look like really when you think about it there is no disabled look.

I have a disability which causes pain and mobility problems. It has degenerated over the last couple of years and I used to use sticks/crutches.

Last year I trialled a wheelchair (local Red Cross, was great - they may loan you a scooter if you have one locally) and I can honestly say it has changed my life. Like Mrs DV's DH, it gives me freedom to go out with DC and whilst it's still painful to sit, I can go at the same speed as my family and I'm not in agony! After the trial i bought a lightweight one and it's probably the best thing I bought - before the trial I was very negative and fed up about using a chair as it seemed such a big step.

I would totally recommend it now, I'm saving for a stairlift but after that would love a scooter. My wrists are getting bad so I'm finding it hard to self propel and need to be pushed really.

The only thing I would say in total honesty, I find I do get some looks if I tranfer in/out myself (I'm fairly young and I do find some people assume you must be totally incapacitated to be in chair ) but I try not to let it bother me - the only unpleasant incident I ever had though was with a very posh in Waitrose car park over a blue badge space. Just goes to show...

It's worth seeing if you can trial one first but I would definitely go for it!

I honestly probably wouldn't notice.

I use a scooter. I'm 50, so not that young, but slim and healthy looking. Yes you will get the odd judgy comment from dickheads but so what? Better than being in pain or simply too exhausted to participate.

I saw a young Mum on a scooter the other day and noticed she had lots of MS stickers on the back of her seat. Maybe that's something to think about.

I'd assume they had a disability. How some people can just look at someone and 'know' whether they genuinely need a mobility scooter or not is beyond me.

fassbender I fully understand your situation, I too have MS and the time has also come for me to get a scooter. I started these two treads back in February and name changed (too lazy to chance back now). Problem is I am still procrastinating. For me it is a mix of giving in, embarrassment of using one (I'm over 50 so should know better) losing what mobility I do have,pride and others judging me.. I know I know all these things don't matter but it is very hard for me to make the decision and in the mean time I continue to struggle.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2307825-Is-it-time-for-a-mobility-scooter

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2308396-Shops-objecting-or-banning-mobility-scooters

I do use the shopping carts in Asda, Tesco etc they are slow, have alarms, easy to maneuver but nobody gives toss and cut me up all the time, huffing and blowing that they've bumped into me and don't get me started on kids running up and down the aisles while parents ignore them while I stop and start, trying to avoid them while trying to shop, god forbid I stand up to get something, the looks I get, but I am in fact Lazarus !!

I hire from shop mobility, single day is free, and they have the scooter I am planning to get. They have reduced them all to 4mph even the bigger ones to prevent injury, that I can fully understand, not everyone can drive them safely! I hire at NT properties and enjoy family time on long walks. My advice is to do all this first, allow time for your acceptance of a scooter, maybe not as long as me who just can't make that step yet. Bring a blanket with you as you don't fully appreciate how cold you'll get not using your legs, even in summer I use one, a coat and gloves.

I find that concentrating while operating the scooter is very tiring, you'll understand that with MS so while I am sitting doing nothing your family should appreciate that afterwards you'll be tired, just a different tiredness than walking brings. I also find that sitting for so long (bit like driving for me) I am quite weak when I get off and will be very wobbly for a while, bear that in mind when 'jumping off cured' ;) to play with the kids.

Now I really should practice what I preach and go and look at a scooter to buy :)

"Am I in the way?"

Another MS person here. There's some great advice from other posters. I think it will so improve the quality of your life that you will wonder what took you so long. Which doesn't solve those initial misgivings you have, I know.
Loved fassbender's story about Lyme Park BTW.

I was going to suggest the same as tinkly, my friend has a scooter and ms, she has a few ms support stickers on hers, it quickly stops any looks etc that may go her way.

I too would assume they needed it and there would be no judgemental thoughts at all.

However, I might have a pang of envy towards the scooter as I have severe arthritis in my hip and can struggle walking.