My Reluctant Journey Toward Using Mobility Devices

Wow, I'm not alone. Use Walker and scooter.. We have to be happy we walk.. Stay strong girlfriend. This is not the look I expected..But it works too..

Using my cane X3 years, now a fashion statement. Still walking short distances on my own but at age 59 years I am thinking about getting a walker.

I found it was better with a rollator if I'm walking long distances as a stick throughs my balance out but know how you feel and don't give up but do what your body tells you best of luck

Thank you for sharing! I'm still at the point where I don't think I need a walker, but I'm falling more these days. Right now My mind is saying " if she can do it so can you."

I was diagnosed 10 months ago aged 43. Had no mobility issues and figured I probably wouldn't have for years yet, however MS had other ideas and in September, I had a major relapse affecting my mobility. I fought against any aids and would push myself then suffer the consequences. In Feb, I stopped fighting it and accepted my fate. I DO need my wheelchair when out and about and my walking wheels for therapy. And the thought was always worse than actually using using them.

I have a back room that is the land of obsolete DME equipment. I need a walker, no discussion about that. In my search I have back there a upright walker, I tried it to prevent me from stooping over. But the problem of being upright is my center of gravity has changed, and I have to be careful I don’t pitch backward. I have one of those 'drug store' type walkers, but stooping over it bothers my back. I have a hoveround my neighbor gave me, her husband died and no longer needed it, but it needs new batteries. I have one where it's hard to use on carpet. I have one that the back wheels are wider than the front, so you can stand inside the frame and be more centered, but it has chewed up my doors and baseboards because the front goes through fine, but the back wheels being wider nicks my woodwork. have three of those German made walker. These are not cheap but I use one inside, one for outside, and one that needs my husband to fix the brake cable. They are lightweight, roll smooth, and easy to navigate. I initially balked at the price, but for the price of a pair of eyeglasses, which I need, they are worth the money. I also have four foam donuts because I sit so much, I have to worry about pressure sores. The two that work the best I keep one in the car and one in the chair. I have evaluated all kinds of equipment in my search for the most stylish yet functional. I imagine that room is probably where all the socks are that disappear in the wash.

I use a walker and manual wheelchair in the same way! My beef is getting to shopping carts at stores. You know: 1)use walker to get to cart 2)bring walker back to car in cart 3)discover you're already exhausted!

I was diagnosed in 2008.Today, In the supermarket I use one of their trollies and that helps to support me as I go round the shop( less frequently and for less time than I used to). Generally, I take my tall walking stick wherever I go and this helps me to stand up straight. There is no such thing as comfortable walking anymore and I manage about 60 metres with difficulty and always looking for trip hazards in the pavements and other less even surfaces( and of course the next seat). I have just bought a kneeler for the garden. I have a boot based buggy and have to use it for trips out if accompanying the wife. I've stopped cooking so need a saddle seat to get me round the kitchen. I fell over last about two months ago and hurt my right arm and left hand. Falls always seem to take me by complete surprise. It's a bumpy down hill track I find myself on! KBO?

Sigh, your story rings so familiar to so many. I was DX'd in 1977 at the tender age of twenty five. From a pamphlet from the MS Society there was a story about a "fifty-something" woman finally accepting a wheelchair. I brushed off that notion, I was still running.

Yet, twenty five years later, after too many falls there I was, cane in hand. First, just for balance, then just to 'rest' my legs. Leaning heavily on a grocery cart I still got around. Then a rollator, but my dysfunctional right leg kept getting my foot caught under the wheel; with the obligatory face plant to follow (that was kinda embarrassing). Back to the cane.

Cane in right hand, left grabbing whatever I could find, I took a hard tumble that almost dislocated my left shoulder. OK, I gamely told myself, I'll use this inherited power chair 'just' until my shoulder heals.

Well, denial only gets you so far. Today I'm breaking in my third compound power chair; where would I be without it! With my van I'm still mobile. You do what you do!

My wife has always been keen to keep mobile for as long as possible. The problem we had was judging how far she could walk, so we could make it back home or to the car. We have now bought a Rollz Motion Rollator which acts as a rollator, but easily converts to a wheelchair. It means my wife can walk as far as she is able with the rollator then convert to a wheelchair for me to push.

I’ve found that at the moment an elbow cane does the trick balance-wise for short journeys. I’ve got a pretty cool black and white cow patterned one which I’m fond of. I have a motorised chair and also a manual one for longer journeys (also I wouldn’t take an expensive chair on board an aircraft, you hear so many horror stories). I have considered a walker but my arms are so s**** that I don’t think I could push one. Oh, I know what you mean tho, it was a real rite of passage the first time I got a cane/my crutch/my chair ... another step on the slippery slope. But of course you soon come to see that they’re actually aids to freedom.

can relate to all the comments....I now own 4 canes , 4 rollators [ one makes into a transport chair ], 2 scooters...really cool ones, though--one has a double wide seat for 2 people , and the other is a ''Boomer Buggy Covered ''...it looks like a really small ''Smart car''.I recently purchased an Alinker walking bike....but have not figured it out yet. If I can learn how to use it , I will be able to go for walks again. Here's hoping !! Google it...it's really cool.

I was diagnosed in 1979. I’m now 64. I started using a walking stick about 10 years ago, moved to bi-lateral walking sticks about 8 years ago. I got around fine on those but water on floors and ice outdoors proved to be treacherous and I had a few falls. I had a total hip replacement in Oct. 2018. We were going on a trip in December and my wife insisted that I get a rollator. I wish I would have done it several years earlier. The rollator was part of my recovery from hip surgery but I’m really enjoying the safety and ability to walk longer distances.

I am grateful for all of the humility, honesty, and strength heard in above comments. I was diagnosed in 2001 with relapsing remitting, probably progressing somewhere between ten and twelve years later. Hard to say, but I noticed problems after my twins were born. I *did* get off Avonex in 2005 to get pregnant, then didn't get back on til I fell badly breaking my arm in 2011. Anyway, yes, me too..totally self-conscious about being seen as different. How funny for someone who has always valued unique expression in all its forms! I finally knew that mobility assistance was essential for my wellbeing..and I got two trekking poles at the suggestion of my physical therapist. It's the same as wearing a pole attached to each arm, but if I tripped with a trekking pole in hand I could just drop it and regain my footing rather than be attached to something that could throw my balance off worse! I honestly still get stupidly vain about using both, but I am evolving as I use two about 90% of the time when I am out. I have no problem using my wheelchair if I need to venture a significant (for me) distance. I'd rather not miss out on certain events that require lengthy assistance.

Debi, where've you been? I haven't seen anything from you in a while. I miss your articles. Hope all is well.

Hi, my name is Barb and I was diagnosed with MS in 2000. Happy 50th birthday present. When I saw the neurologist I had already diagnosed myself. My younger sister and I figured it out. I have 2 sisters and all 3 of us have MS. I did really well for about the first 10 years. Originally, progressive remitting and moving on to the next step of a little more progressive. I turn 72 on the 31st of this month. I use a cane in the house and when I am out and about but if I need to walk any distance I always use my scooter. I have used it for about 8 years. I did not have any issues with this because it was either use the scooter and do the things I want or stay home and be bullheaded. I have a lift on my car and am totally independent when it comes to getting around. I have an excellent husband and medical insurance which relieves a lot of stress. I am not happy with my MS but I will not let it define who I am. I have fallen several times. I broke my pelvis in two places a year ago December. The recovery was long but I had great help and therapy. But I got thru the surgery with no problems. I have truly been blessed.