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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be considering getting a mobility scooter

56 replies

HelpMeTony · 16/04/2021 19:02

I am not even 50 Sad yet my mobility is seriously affected by health issues that are only going to get worse. I have just been awarded Pip disability benefit and thinking of using that to get a mobility scooter - even though DD2 is absolutely horrified.

I wouldn't know where to start with one though. I know there are large showrooms, but I am so embarrassed and uncomfortable that I dont know if I would manage to actually visit one, let alone test drive a scooter. Do they even do test drives?

OP posts:
Moondust001 · 16/04/2021 21:37

My personal experience - I bought second hand ones and they weren't good value for money - too unreliable in terms of breakdowns and repairs. So I went to a firm called Mobility Giant, and I rent a second hand one. It breaks down - not my problem. It needs repairs - not my problem. I do about 10 miles a day in mine - exercising the dog - and I couldn't be happier. Neither could he!

JustOneMoreStep · 16/04/2021 21:38

Honestly don't be embarrassed about it, age is really not a factor. I used one whilst at uni (15+ years ago) and nobody bothered. Even went clubbing with it!!

Pericombobulations · 16/04/2021 21:39

Interesting you say you need a special one to go on grass, yet my little boot size one does short grass with no issue, I've even taken it around a three day event with no issue. But I agree you will need to know where dropped kerbs are as they an issue.

Welshmaenad · 16/04/2021 21:51

I got my mobility scooter when I was 38. Kids aside, she's my best mate. She's called Lily and she's a funky teal colour and she's part of the family.

I have a neurological disease that seriously impacts my mobility and leaves me dizzy and exhausted after very few steps. I have a walking stick for short distances but Lily has made it possible to take the kids on adventures again and be independent and it's such a gift.

I bought her outright because it worked out far better value, even though she was expensive. I worked out what the important features were for me, because everyone's circumstances are different. I wanted something I could manage on my own (I'm a single mum) - I looked at the folding k on new but they're so heavy to lift, I couldn't get it in and out of the car boot by myself. So I opted for one that breaks into parts for travel in the car boot. I also wanted one that could handle outdoor paths, not just tarmac and shopping centres, because I really wanted to get out there with the kids. Lily did me proud last summer on the footpaths around the Bosherston Lily ponds in Pembrokeshire and handles gravel and bumpy paths just fine.

She's a li-tech air plus - so a decent battery life and very lightweight frame which either I or my youngest (from age 9) could assemble/disassemble and pack in the boot. I took her for an outside twat ride and they happily let me drive her over kerbs and through puddles to test she could do what I needed.

You are more than welcome to DM me for support in the choosing recess - I'm not a scooter expert but it might be helpful to chat through your needs and help narrow down your search.

I remember feeling self conscious at first but it soon dissipated. These days I don't give a fuck what anyone thinks. I was worried that it would embarrass the kids and I asked my youngest what he thought people might think if they saw us on a day out with Lily. He looked at me like I was bonkers and said "they would think 'wow what a great mum for taking her kids out to have fun even though she's poorly' OF COURSE" and that just totally reframed it for me. I'm using what I need to use to live my best life.

Welshmaenad · 16/04/2021 21:58

Twat ride GrinGrinGrin

Make that test ride, but I am a bit of a twat.

Clevererthanyou · 16/04/2021 22:09

@Welshmaenad, How often do you use the word twat for it to be on autocorrect? 😂 I agree with you about what the kids think, my son loves ours and he feels ever so grown up having lifts on it. (Ours is Alice, love the name you chose).

GlitterNails · 16/04/2021 22:23

I too am overweight and found it difficult to use a scooter because I felt people would be thinking I was using one because of my weight, not because my disability made me put on weight.

I started with a scooter and found it quite difficult as you have to get off it outside each shop, and I also got stuck in some places. My condition is degenerative so eventually I ended up using a wheelchair and feel much more comfortable in it, and the way people treat you is different too. Plus you can get in way more places, and my wheelchair turns in a much tighter area.

But it's definitely worth trying both and seeing which you prefer.

LeviAckerman · 16/04/2021 22:33

I got one when I was 36. I was so embarrassed at first. Was sure everyone was thinking I was only using it as I was fat. I would take my folding walking stick in the basket and use that if needed and would be desperately hoping no-one would see me stand up and walk a few steps as that would just prove to them that I was a lazy, fat, benefit cheating, waste of space.

What a load of bollocks those thoughts were. If anyone is thinking that they're a scrotum.. Most people don’t think anything. They're too wrapped up in their own thoughts and worries and life.

I would only use it if someone was with me, for the first few weeks, until I felt more confident. Then the fucking JOY of being able to go out and actually do stuff and not have to cut the day short, and not be in more pain, and just be more independent made all the worries just disappear. Getting one was literally life-changing.

Hankunamatata · 16/04/2021 22:35

Neighbour has a cool one that looks like 3 wheel motor bike

PerkingFaintly · 16/04/2021 22:54

@GlitterNails, can I ask you too about how you secure your wheelchair when you have to leave it outside a shop/dentist's/whatever?

WiddlinDiddlin · 16/04/2021 23:07

@PerkingFaintly

Actually, *@WiddlinDiddlin*, you might be able to help me with a query.

I've been whining on another thread about not being able to find an easily lockable powerchair –ideally with a removable key. As I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user and rather a lot of shops are in older buildings with front steps, I'd really like to be able to lock the chair without hassle.

TBF, I haven't done an exhaustive search for models. Do you have any words of wisdom?

(Sorry for hijacking your thread, OP.)

Mmm I think you'll struggle..

Some can be locked by a clever secret combination of button presses on the controller unit, but it depends on what controller unit you have and if you don't have the right one, can you change it?

My indoor chair (invacare TDX) doesn't have a locking system for the control pad, but my outdoor (magic mobility frontier v6) does, hold the powerbutton controller forward til it beeps etc etc.

Another option if its easily accessible, is to disengage one of your drive wheels, they should have a lever to disengage each one so that it can be pushed should it die somewhere... obviously you have to remember to re-engage it or you can't drive off.

Finally.. find someone who is good at making stuff.. see if they can make a clam shell type lockable cover for the controller?

It is a bugger, its assumed anyone in a power chair wont be getting out and leaving it and so locking options are limited!

Have a google for controller or joystick lock function on various wheelchair models. I don't think there are any with an actual key though!

GlitterNails · 16/04/2021 23:10

I don't leave it, it was the scooter I had to leave outside.

On my power chair there is a way to disable controls though by holding down a certain button, but it is a flaw they don't have a key to disable them entirely though.

GlitterNails · 16/04/2021 23:13

WiddlinDiddlin - I have a TDX invacare too and there is a way to disable controls. I normally do it accidentally then panic for a second! I remember to unlock it you hold down the horn, but I'm blanking on how to lock it. It it comes to me I will let you know!

GlitterNails · 16/04/2021 23:23

Okay just figured it out @WiddlinDiddlin. To lock it hold down the power button and eventually it will beep. Turn it on again and the lights will flash up and down, that’s locked mode. To unlock press the horn twice in quick succession.

Hope this helps!

PerkingFaintly · 16/04/2021 23:26

Oh the clam-shell idea is genius! Mechanical and simple, and obvious enough that the shop-assistant can help if I'm struggling.

I saw one which locked with button pushes, but given I struggle even to use my basic mobile phone once I'm tired, that has disaster written all over it.

PerkingFaintly · 16/04/2021 23:27

It is a bugger, its assumed anyone in a power chair wont be getting out and leaving it and so locking options are limited!

YES! Obvious gap in the market, if any powerchair manufacturers are reading this!

GlitterNails · 16/04/2021 23:29

@PerkingFaintly

It is a bugger, its assumed anyone in a power chair wont be getting out and leaving it and so locking options are limited!

YES! Obvious gap in the market, if any powerchair manufacturers are reading this!

It’s the same old bullshit - that wheelchair users cannot walk at all. Yet the opposite statistically is true, only a minority of wheelchair users cannot walk at all.

It’s frustrating, the same as the looks you get when you stand up from a wheelchair too.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 16/04/2021 23:46

Definitely do it. You'll enjoy daily life much more
I'm 56, and have CP.I finally accepted I needed a permanent walking aid 5 years ago. I bought a rollator with my PIP, and am so glad I did

PerkingFaintly · 16/04/2021 23:54

I'm starting to wonder whether, at some level, it's intentional and for the benefit of passers-by – to allow them to "code" us as "properly disabled" or "just a bit lazy but we'll forgive them if they look old." Hmm

Obviously they'd never articulate it openly.

Nonetheless, I suspect there's a certain subconscious resistance by manufacturers to having key-locks on wheelchairs: "But with a key, anyone could use one! Even people who can get up and leave the chair!"

Chloemol · 17/04/2021 00:13

My mum has one, loves it, my sister is looking at getting one

We have a shop in the next twin that sells disabled aids, chairs, wheelchairs etc, look to see if you have one nearby. They are extremely helpful

Original poster
HelpMeTony · 17/04/2021 08:50

Thank you all so much, I will definitely look at booking in for a "twat ride" Grin

I knew I needed one that I could get in and out of the car boot, but you have given me so much more to consider. I am going to type out off my requirements and take that with me to the shop. It's a huge warehouse type place, so if they have wheelchairs as well I am going to have a try with them as well, although I do think a scooter would best suit my needs as DD1 likes to go for long walks/jogs and due to her own disabilities she cant go on her own. I have long past the point where I can join her on foot, so thinking I could scoot along beside her!

OP posts:
Clevererthanyou · 17/04/2021 09:03

I forgot to mention that I live in a rugged Welsh valley and I drive from town to town in mine (pictured above) as it’s an all terrain 8mph model, my last one was 7mph but the search for dropped kerbs was horrific.

WiddlinDiddlin · 17/04/2021 14:22

@GlitterNails

Okay just figured it out *@WiddlinDiddlin*. To lock it hold down the power button and eventually it will beep. Turn it on again and the lights will flash up and down, that’s locked mode. To unlock press the horn twice in quick succession.

Hope this helps!

Doesn't work on mine..

DO you have the controller with the digital screen or just the one with flashy lights/pic of wheelchair?

If I start with it on and hold down the power button.. nowt happens. If i start with it OFF it turns on then the power button goes red and it goes off, but turns on with a single press of the button.

Mind it could just be that the locking option isn't enabled on mine, it was set up by WCS..and may not have all the functions enabled (i had to do an outdoor driving test to get it de-restricted to 4mph from 2mph!).

Thanks for trying though! :D

WiddlinDiddlin · 17/04/2021 14:28

OP - do have a go in some power chairs too, there are a lot of options now!

I did find the change from scooter to chair a bit wobbly, nothing in front of you... eek. However having a chair that tilts in space so you can tilt back for hills, and once you have the right seat options sorted, you do feel pretty secure.

I've even done some pretty steep hills around sheffield in my chairs when visiting my bestie - I will admit there were a few 'arrgh fuuuuuuck' moments as she takes off down a steep hill she's familiar with and im still bricking it at the top :grin: but you get used to it!

I will say, with a chair... two distinct benefits are being able to turn in a tight space (both my chairs are pretty vast as I am also pretty vast and they turn neatly in the nurses office, drs office, pavements etc)... you do also get far less evil looks in a wheelchair. Wheelchair = genuine disabled. Scooter = idle scrounger. :( It's wrong but.. its the way folk view it!

I found the self conciousness about using any mobility aid went away when i found out how much more I could do and, how much I enjoyed doing stuff now it didn't hurt, was possible, etc etc!

GlitterNails · 17/04/2021 16:15

@WiddlinDiddlin I don't have the flashy screen, it's quite a few years old. I will be getting a new one this year though - my WCS were not so helpful though unfortunately so it's been a tough battle, with lots of organisations involved.