I am getting real aggravation from my two daughters. I’ve just ordered a mobility scooter so I can go on walks with my husband. I can’t walk far but I try. I have had balance problems and arthritis for a number of years and have always coped with gym, swimming and Zumba. Since my heart attack my balance has got worse and I now use inhalers. I struggle with swimming now and I am permanently exhausted. My daughters think using the scooter will make me worse. I only want to use it for walks by the river and at the coast. I asked them how many times they wanted to see me fall over before they realise I need help. I am not registered disabled but my friend who is keeps telling me to get a blue badge but I have always said I don’t need one. Does anyone have an opinion?
Mobility scooter or not: I am getting... - British Heart Fou...
Mobility scooter or not
You live your life Maisie2014, as you want to lead it.
I have just the opposite problem, my son's want me to use an electric chair but my husband thinks I should push myself more to keep strong.
I think we each know our own body and must do what we feetis best.
If your scooter gives you freedom go for it and enjoy your walks in safety
Ellie
No one here is in a position to evaluate your balance issues or any other medical condition (and neither are your daughters come to that!).
But one thing is crystal clear, it's better that you get outdoors with your husband than remain stuck in your home. So if a mobility scooter is the key to achieving that, then so be it.
However, your daughters have a point in so far as they probably fear a mobility scooter may effectively give you permission to stop trying to exercise. So why not get the scooter but at the same time redouble your efforts to swim or take some specialist exercise classes?
Good luck!
That is my intention Chappy but One of my daughters is a cardiac nurse so I try to keep her from worrying about me. My husband says I’ll need it eventually so why not get it now? I’m not sure that’s the right advice either 😂. I do get fed up of going back to the car and sitting there waiting for him to finish his walk though. Sometimes I feel everyone’s bullying me into being who I used to be but I’m not the same. I’m on 8 different medications that I never took before.
It’s your life your choice don’t let anyone bully you into doing something you don’t want to do.
A few years ago, before lockdown was a word we know, I realised I hadn’t been out for a few weeks so sat down and had a little think about why as not like me.
Realised my mobility was a serious problem, 5 yards and I’d fall over and it wasn’t the gin!
So I got myself a rollator with three wheels, had that for a while then upgraded to a four wheeled version.
It gave me back my independence I know this year I will need a wheelchair and won’t be quite so slow in getting one.
Love and hugs
J
It may sound an odd idea, but have you thought of an electric powered tricycle. There are many excellent e-bikes out there at the moment. The bonus with an e-bike is that you still get a degree of exercise, rather just sitting on the mobility scooter. In addition if you chose a tricycle option it should take care of your balance issues. Just a thought.
I bought a mobility scooter a few months ago. It has made a hude difference to me. My wife used to push me about in a chair now I can go everywhere with her.
I did think of a tricycle but I think it may be too much for me. There’s also the storage problem. We live in a first floor apartment with no lift and nowhere to put it.
I would definitely apply for a blue badge, there will definitely be a time when you will be glad of it
Maisie 2014, I recently purchased a mobility scooter for the same reason....distance. My cardio nurse approved as she felt I will not disable myself by using it too often. My plan is to use it when taking my great grandaughter out on her bike and when going long walks with my partner. I even get out and walk and get my partner to drive the scooter for a bit. I have just been told I am getting a blue badge, again for only when I really need it and I applied for and have been successful in getting Attendance Allowance as shopping, cooking and showering are issues for me due to racing heart and tiredness . I have perm afib, arthritis in my shoulder, cardio myopothy and labrinthitis. I am still pushing myself to exercise and walk everyday and just about to get back in a swimming pool....not sure how that will go......but hope to be able to do some swimming. Long and short of it do what makes you feel OK Xx
That sounds great. I had a long phone call with one of my daughters last night and ended up with a headache and no sleep because of the stress. She knows how active I have been and how a lot of her patients go on to run marathons! I don’t think our children realise we’re getting older 😂. I took my grandson for an interview yesterday and his mum was telling me off about it. I asked him how he’ll felt when he saw me fall and he said he thought I should get a scooter. I’m lucky to have a very close and caring family but I’ve decided to order a scooter and I’m now excitedly awaiting delivery at the end of September. 😀
Well done and please please please make this Lady PetrolHead's evening by saying your new scoot is done in British Racing Green
Do you have a pair of walking poles? They are better than sticks as they are sprung and have spikes and rubber stoppers. These may help, but of course I’d get the scooter so your aren’t restricted. I have what I call a walking seat, from the National Trust, when folded it van be a walking aid and if I need to sit 🤷🏼♀️ I’ve had plantar fasciitis in my feet, one at a time, bad back and last November a partial knee replacement, so it’s come in handy. I also have a walking pole, before they became popular, but just bought a pair for my brother,
Yes Lacey I used to go Nordic Walking with a local group. I do use them sometimes (despite to comments about my forgetting my skis 🎿) but I find I struggle with the hills.
Before I had a Blue Badge, I was able to walk a hundred metres, so I did not qualify for a blue badge - but I could not walk 500m into the town. (I drove to supermarkets that provided courtesy scooters). I think that, in the UK, you are not legally entitled to use a mobility scooter or power chair on the road if you do not have a blue badge - so you will need one. When I applied for a badge, I was turned down - but I eventually got one when my doctor wrote an appropriate letter - quoting chapter and verse from the requirements book.
After three cardioversions, two catheter ablations and two pacemakers, I can now walk, and I have not renewed my badge. (I do get bradycardia, postural hypotension, vascular cognitive impairment etc. which can make me unsteady on my feet, and could result in me falling off a pavement into the path of a car.)
Use your scooter to get out, but use it as little as possible... and get as much exercise as you can.
For short walks, you could try a walking frame with wheels (or a push wheel-chair) to let you exercise with safety and stability.
I up-ticked you but I want to point out Zimmer frames are not ergonomic and put the wrong kind of strain on the person's back. The frames also cause the person to have to shuffle rather than walk or stride naturally. Good if that's the only way to be out and about but not good for someone with balance and distance issues, and not good for someone still able to stand up and walk normally (just not as far as they'd like).
Enjoy your scooter and the freedom it gives you, but carry on walking the distances you know you can, to keep your family happy
I’ve decided to walk as usual with one stick unless my balance is particularly bad then I’ll use two. I’ll only use the scooter for long walks by the river or at the RSPB site where the ground is rough and at the coast. My husband can go off on a bike on the cycle track and not worry about me because I’ll be on my scooter 🙂. I can’t wait for it to arrive.
Well worth the scooter. My wife has to use one, she also has a blue badge and it enables us to go out on walks, on the trains, it’s even gone abroad on holidays, pre covid. Airlines take them for free, even easyJet.
She has two scooters, one comes apart in 4 pieces to go in the boot. It’ll fit into a fiesta boot easily. The other one lets her go out by herself or as said out on trains. Keeps her independent as she can go shopping by herself and is not reliant on anyone else.
You go for it and enjoy. My daughters encouraged me to get a scooter so I can go on walks with them. So I did. And it's a godsend. They have to keep up with me now 😊. Your girls probably find it hard to accept your changing health but they will get over it. Others ride the scooter for me so I can walk a bit too. They love it. Especially the grandkids. But my husband was wary too in case i didnt get any exercise. But he rides it for me too. I got an mLite. Which is very light and even I can lift into my car. Good luck.
Hi Maisie. I noticed your post was from a while Ago. How are you getting on with your scooter ? ?
Hi Icenae. I’ve had a scooter for a year now. The first one was very sturdy and too heavy. I didn’t use it much because it was so heavy. I sold it and bought an X-Lite. I’ve not been very well this last year so have not been out as much as I would have liked but the scooter has been invaluable. I walk as much as I can but when it’s become too much I take the scooter. The family have got used to it I suppose but they don’t like it. Our children find it difficult to accept we are getting older.
Hi Maisie,
I too suffer from ballance issues and with angina, we bought a small foldable scooter to use on holidays. My family were supportive and said that I should have had one sooner.However I don't use it at home because my heart surgeon told me to keep fit as that would help me with my angina. With regard about a Blue Badge please apply for one, the benefits will enable you to get out and about more. I found it hard to come to terms with being labled as Disabled, but I got over it, so please think again.
bludnut
Heart related or not? 
Ablation or not?
Work or not
Nebivolol or bisoprolol
Is it normal to be out of breath or should I worry?
