Mobility scooters and related equipment

Due to a quite surprising range of neurological ailments, not to forget the devastating effects of advancing age, I have become considerably less mobile than I was in my younger days. Where I used to be able to effortlessly walk for many hours, I now move slowly at a tortoises pace, for a maximum of one hour, supporting myself with either a cane or a crutch – depending on how I happen to feel that day. Yet I refuse to complain: there's nothing I truly lack in this life, and diminished mobility doesn't unduly bother me.

Anyway, for the longer journeys I presently employ an electrical, which kind of makes me feel like a prince or even a king! Relaxedly sitting in a cusioned seat, pleasantly but never arrogantly saluting the admiring passers-by, I buzz along at either walking pace or double speed. When I feel relaxed I "walk", when I actually need to be somewhere at a certain time I rev up the little machine.

There are many people much worse off than me, when it comes to physical capabilities. I can, albeit with difficulty, still walk – many others can't. Especially for them the electric scooter is a great support, enabling them to be free again. There are 3-wheel mobility scooters and 4-wheel mobility scooters, and if you're seriously considering buying such a machine, I would recommend the 3-wheeled variety. These tend to be somewhat more manoeuvrable on account of their smaller turning radius, which is a great advantage in crowded or narrow spots. I also would recommend to go for batteries with a lot of capacity: it's not only unpleasant but also quite embarassing to find yourself without of juice when a long way from home!

Apart from mobility scooters, there are many more contraptions and inventions that make the life of the disabled much easier. Stairlifts, bed lifts, electric wheelchairs, walkers… they all help to make life much more pleasant for the handicapped.