Mobility Aids To Help You Explore the World

This post is in conjunction with Complete Care Shop, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

It took me a long time to accept using mobility aids helped me, from at first not wanting to use a walking stick, to the point I needed a chair which I resisted at every turn. However, I have since realised that in many ways accepting the help of using the correct aids has reopened the world to me and allowed me to visit places again such as JORVIK.

So what mobility aids are out there to help people, like me who are struggling to get around?

Walking Sticks or Crutches

When my mobility first started to decline it was suggested I got a walking stick, it took me a while to agree to make the change. However, once I did I quite quickly found them to help me be more stable as I walked.

Originally I was given two sticks by a nurse at the hospital, however as time went on I found the curved design hurt my hands and I ended up changing to a more ergonomic design, then later to crutches to help more with stability. Sadly, after a decline in my left side, I found I was no longer able to use a stick or crutch on that side and had to look into different options.

If you are looking to use a stick or crutch, it is important to make sure you speak to a professional who can help you make sure they are the right length for you. This allows them to work for you and help you as much as possible.

Wheelchair

I’ve had my electric wheelchair for around 3 years now, and it was something I put off getting for a long time. While I had previously owned a manual chair, it was something I didn’t use that often and could easily be tucked away out of sight. However, since getting it, it has allowed me to go to places I wouldn’t have been able to before. Opening back up the world to me.

Before you look at wheelchairs, I would suggest thinking about what you need from a chair. Personally, I wanted to get an electric wheelchair, as I could no longer self-propel due to my weakness on one side and depending on someone to push me left me feeling out of control. I also wanted to be able to put it in the car and push it.

Once you know your requirements, I would spend time talking to professionals and using their guidance to help you towards the right one. I got mine during the pandemic which means I didn’t shop around perhaps as much as I should have. As such I really suggest asking a lot of questions. reaching out to people for recommendations and trying as many chairs as possible before buying.

Rollator

Interestingly a rollator walker is something I would never have thought of using until Ash mentioned that I seemed much more stable when pushing a trolly. We bought this up with my physio who got me to try one out and could see that it helped me balance better as I walked, which in turn helped my gait.

As such I do own a rollator, however, sadly it isn’t something I can personally use that often. It works well on flat surfaces, such as indoor shopping centres and hospitals. However, out on the street, the vibrations from the bumps cause me more issues than it solves. That said I am very sensitive to vibrations and I would suggest anyone who needs more stability when walking try out a rollator as I was surprised to find out just how much it helped.

If you are looking to buy a rollator, once again make sure you try out the different styles before you buy. As I need mine to help with stability, I found a 3-wheeled one allowed too much movement from side to side, while my gait meant I needed a good distance between wheels. You also need to make sure they are adjustable to the correct height for you.

With all that in mind, I would highly recommend anyone who is contemplating if an aid could help to take that step. They can really help open the world back up to you and allow you to explore again.

Do you use an aid to help you get around, how did you choose which was right for you?

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