thinking about mobility scooter.

I say if this will enable you to get out more then go for it. Just don't get in the trap of using it at all times unless you & your drs agree that you are to that point of needing it at all times.

Let us know what you decide. Take care.

Big Friendly Elephant:
Always keep your eye on maintaining your ability to walk.

As a former physical therapist, a primary concern on getting a mobility scooter is where the scooter becomes the primary means of mobility - eventually rendering the individual less able to walk as he/she gains additional weight and loses pulmonary function due to inactivity.

Use the scooter to enrich your life. Use the scooter to be able to get out and about to explore your relative environment where you would otherwise be unable due to restricted ability to walk and/or have sufficiency pulmonary exchange/breath.

But always work diligently to keep your walking ability intact. Once people lose critical strength and key balance recovery reactions, the downhill slop in terms of loss of independent functional abilities can be steep.

Do not let the purchase of a mobility scooter give you permission to "get lazy."

Do let the purchase of a mobility scooter give you permission to expand and open up your world. Let a mobility scooter enable you to get out and about, to meet with people and places that you would otherwise be unable to access.

As with many things in life, keep use of a mobility scooter in balance with maintaining your functional independence in terms of walking and self-care with activities of daily living.

In looking at a scooter, pay particular attention to the scooter's width and sizing and base of support. A scooter with a narrow base of support is more likely to tip and fall over, even with an innocuous simple turn or change in direction. The wider the scooter's base of support and the lower the battery pack is placed on the frame, the more secure will be the scooter from inadvertent accidents where the scooter tips over.

Be an informed consumer. Scooter's with light-frames, scooter's with narrow bases of support, scooter's with battery packs that are placed upward on the frame can be potentially dangerous with heightened risk of tipping.

Research your scooter choice carefully. And then enjoy the ride and the innate feeling of freedom.
- Karen -

thx my friends. i am still pushing, but it's getting very painful. stopping and sitting or hunched on a fenced aint pretty. yes, the trap of over use, i hear ya, but i need out and about, that would be of tremendous value in having one. i mean, i am not small, all gut. but i still easily fit into an airline seat!!!! put me in the cargo bay, chair and all. iv fluids of saline and vodka pls. yes, i know me best, thx for the perspective lyn, and to you all for the care of information given to me, it means so much.