Many months ago (there was still snow on the ground), I finally broke down and purchased a lightly-used mobility scooter (Pride Sonic, photo at the bottom) on Ebay, at about half the retail. Hubby drove us 5 hours each way to go pick it up. I can still walk, and work full-time, but I had planned to use it for day trips - museums and malls - and the occasional long shopping trip...things I otherwise just wouldn't/couldn't do. But it's been sitting in my trunk in pieces all this time, not getting used.
Over the weekend, I had to spend a long time shopping at Home Depot and Lowes (just bought a condo that needs some upgrading), and I used their scooters for the first time. And now today, I finally got to use my own (which is so much more comfy and sleek).
For Mother's Day, I told my mom that we'd set a day that I would take off from work and I'd take her, my dad and my husband to Longwood Gardens below Philly. Without a scooter, there would just be no way at all for me to do it. So this morning we packed the scooter into my mom's minivan, and I loaded up on the SPF, sunglasses, hat, extra allergy medicine, etc. and off we went.
I had the greatest time. My dad actually agreed to use one of their scooters (he's 83 and very stubborn) and to our surprise really liked it. I had mine, and my mom and hubby got some great exercise walking. We were there for 5 hours including lunch, and I managed in the heat and the sun, and didn't have to worry about walking around. The flowers and fountains and sculpture and grounds were just breathtaking. It's been so long since I could enjoy something like that without it being unbearable.
And I didn't feel like people were looking at me for using the scooter...in fact, I think they were jealous.
The only ill effects from the day, other than fatigue, are the itchy sun hives, which are surprisingly few considering how long I was out and how many meds I'm on now (12 prescriptions).
Anyway, just wanted to share a great day (my first in a long time), and to anyone who's thought about getting a scooter, but thinks they might not really need it....get it, get it, GET IT NOW. If it means you will get to do things you're not doing now, GET IT.
(PS - thanks to pin cushion and those others who encouraged me when I was thinking of getting one)
Here's my scooter:
Glad you got to do something you really wanted to do and did not have to pay for "over doing it".
Yeah, those folks were probably just jealous that you got to ride around and they had to walk and sweat
I know what you need for your scooter to make people even more jealous... you need your own presonal fan that runs off batteries and attaches to the steering wheel. Then you will not even be sweating and the wind will be blowing thru your hair. You will look like you are speeding!
Have you named HER yet? I know you have. Lindy
ooww owww!! I know what you can name her...
Hobblenna
What? It sounded good in my head
Aww... now I want to have one.
I've had mine for about a year and a half, now. At least I now have a little independence. My Sweet Husband got a lift for the back of my Exlorer, so when I want to go somewhere alone, I just drive up to the lift, get out my folding cane, raise up the lift and I'm off! In reality I rarely go anywhere alone, but we use the lift all the time. My limp is quite bad and I tend to fall, so I use the scooter a lot. At home, I just use my rolling walker, or, occasionally my cane. But having the walker takes a lot of the pressure off my spine, and helps with the pain, when I walk around the house. Your Scooter is really nice. It looks light and easy to handle, like mine. Hope you enjoy it! At least you can get out more and have a bit more freedom. Hugs, Nini Oh my gosh, it seems I've been delinquent in failing to name her (which is odd because I've named everything from my houseplant to my cell phone and palm pilot) and in dressing her up!
Lynda, it comes apart into 4 pieces and the battery, so it will fit in the trunk of my lil Honda Civic. I can't take the heavier parts out myself (hubby does it for me) but I can at least put it together and take it apart. Like Nini, you can get a lift for it, but I'm not at that point yet. As for my hair blowing behind me, I was definitely moving pretty fast (except going uphill) and there was a hot wind blowing... you can even see in this pic that the wind is picking up the ends of my hair while I am sitting still, with my hat and sunglasses trying to stay incognito from the sun. My Dad, OTOH, is bald on top (he says "grass does not grow on a busy street"....dads are weird), so no blowing hair for him.
Oh and I did think Blue Lightnin', but it sounded guy-ly. Man I am all about making up words today Cool ride! My dr has been pushing for me to got one as well. Just not sure how I would get it in and out of my car, a lift sounds expensive?
Michele- I only use mine if we are going out and its too far to hobble, usually hubby goes with me or a friend.Mine is so light and easy to fit into a little car boot
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