I bought a rollator soon after my diagnosis while still in the first flare. I've had times when it would have been wise to use it, but I just couldn't bring myself to use it outside, or even inside for that matter. It's simply a pride thing, worrying that I would seem much older or something. Yesterday I needed to walk the dog, but my legs weren't cooperating well, and controlling a dog while using forearm crutches would not work. The rollator worked well, the sky didn't fall, and I felt amazingly young. I didn't feel defeated, but rather I felt freedom!
Thanks for your reminders to be safe and sensible.
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greaterexp
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I use a wheelchair when I am going to have a long day out and about somewhere.It is a Godsend for me and a huge energy saver.
There usually isn't any problems.
Some people stare and I get the impression that they're trying to figure out what's "wrong" with me. The worst are those small people in strollers! They can't help themselves!🤣🤣🤣
I know how you feel. At 1st I had a hard time coming 2 terms with my equipment. Still to this day
At the being of the yr I had to suck it up and go from a cane to a walker.
I have no problem using my aids in public around people who don't know me but not around people who do.
All the aids I have cane ( 1 leg and I'm in the process of getting the 4 leg cane), bioness L300go (thigh and calf), walker, u step walker, wheelchair, scooter .
There are days when I spend some time researching scooters for just in case, as there are days when even the rollator wouldn't be enough. I wonder just how bad things must be before insurance will help out on costs.
I know what you mean Erin. My wife ask me why I use my cane or rollator when we’re going out. Told her that falling at home doesn’t embarrass me but falling in public would be very embarrassing. But honestly I’d rather not fall anywhere.😋😋
No. Not boasting just some of us have a bit more experience. As they practice makes perfect. And God knows we have lots of practice. I only fell twice last week.😂😅🤣
I am 45 and use a rollator at home and a wheelchair when we travel. I wall-walk and hold on to other people in public. I don't really care what people think, and neither should you. My pride died with my falls.
I think part of the struggle has been the worry of upsetting my son and husband. I hoped I could wait to use the rollator until after my son moved out and would be less likely to see that. He does tend to worry when he sees me going downhill. I guess he'd worry more if I had to call him to come and pick me up somewhere because I didn't have the oomph to get back home! I had to do that once, and it did worry him.
I'm so glad. I saw my son's face fall when I asked him to get it from the garage for me, and then I saw the disappointment on my husband's face when he came home and saw the rollator by the door. I had to remind them that I just thought I'd do better with it.
greaterexp, you have such good posts that I was surprised that you felt uncomfortable using your rollator. So glad that you bit the bullet and did the dirty! I have several canes, a rollator and a Winnie Walker that I use and it keeps me going. I guess that I had a good teacher years ago - My favorite Aunt was in her 90's and chose to stay home rather than use an aid in public! It is not admitting defeat, but showing resilience to keep living!
I’ve learned so much from everyone here. I tried to lighten the moment for my worried son by threatening to add playing cards to the spokes and adding tons of streamers. We both had a good laugh.
I use a 3 wheeled walker around the house all day. I have 1 upstairs and 1 downstairs, they are my security blankets.. I very rarely use a cane now, I can walk faster and more confidently with the walker. I also have a 4 wheeled one with a seat for the garden. I took it to Minorca for a holiday, it was a God send. These aids have been invented for our use, to enable us to live fuller lives. Enjoy. Love the picture, Blessings Jimeka 🦋
I know at first using a cane was hard but then realize that it drew less attention than the way I would flop my foot without it. When I was first diagnosed was same time as lung cancer ♋️. During the surgery for lobectomy I had a surgical stroke that left my right arm and leg completely useless along with speech and memory. After a month I left the University of Utah hospital and told I would never walk again and would be wheelchair bound. I was transported by ambulance to Pocatello Regional Center for the next three months for recovery and rehab. I left there in a wheelchair but could use a cane for about ten feet max, only one hand so a rollator didn’t help. I became a ginnie pig for Idaho State University physical dept. and speech recognize and memory dept. also. I kept struggling for a year and a half with them and at home till I got out of that wheelchair 👍. Shortly after that I used a cane and a AFO on my right foot. Took another year and I was able to give the cane up🙏. Six months later I quit the leg brace 😃. I hobble terrible and everyone thought I would fall but I made it twenty years and then stage four throat cancer ♋️. This set off my ms and back to an assisted living for two months. Back to the cane and an updated AFO and on my way I went. Has been three years since then and most of the time no cane👍. I can drive and hobble around but who cares, I am upright and still going 🙏. This is the short version of my story, there’s way more to it. But my main point is take care of yourself and don’t let others influence what you and I need to do for us to be comfortable 👍. We are all different and handle things differently, but we must get past what others think 🤔👍🙏😉. I hope and pray for that for everyone here🙏. Bless you all 😉 Ken 🐾🐾😃
Good for you. I used to, and still love shopping carts! My walker in disguise! Though it might be strange wandering down your block with a shopping cart?
My canes...which I recently retired...were my "Multi-Purpose Tools". They were great for reaching things I could not otherwise. Top shelf, under the couch... Will still go grab one to reach things!
I lean on shopping carts all the time, but never thought to bring one home! Ha! Yes, canes can do amazing things when we need to be resourceful! My husband bought me a "sword" cane. It isn't sharp, but it gets a lot of laughs and is a great conversation starter!
Like MarkUpnorth I use shopping carts whenever I can as my borrowed rollator. The only problem that I have with rollators is that they encourage the user to hunch over, making you look old. I still use a forearm crutch which encourages the arms to stay strong, and its user upright, but I am realizing that a forearm crutch can only support me for so long, and a rollator might be in my not too distant future. Thanks for this post, and funny picture, greaterexp
My son raised the handles so I wouldn't lean over. I didn't want to start with the hunched over posture, since I figured it would become habit very quickly. I do like the forearm crutches, but they make carrying things a bit awkward, whereas the rollator has a little "trunk" under the seat in which to store things. It's nice to have a variety of aids since my symptoms are such a roller coaster. Most days, I need nothing, some a cane, some crutches, and on a few occasions, the rollator. I'm eyeing scooters that can break down for travel in my car and which would be ideal for longer distance mobility.
Nor am I, but there are days when I think one would be really helpful. I doubt if insurance would cover any part of one at my stage, so the cost would be all on me. I talked to a lady while shopping who had a really fancy one with a zero turn radius. She said insurance covered hers completely, but otherwise it would have cost her over $6K. Ouch!
Medicare covers them with doctor prescribed. My good friend that has ms is on her second one 👍. Medicare has paid for both as they have been over five years apart. I thought they only paid once but she says they evaluate it every five years for new one as they wear out. I mentioned before she gave me her old one and Jody was using it to walk the dogs 🐕👍. Ken 🐾🐾
Good for you! I used mine yesterday, as I had to go to jury duty and, because of construction around the courthouse, even the best parking was a good hike. Saved me twice yesterday - once I’d made my hike to he courthouse, the line of people with jury notice recipients like me was backed up 30 minutes. No problem, I sat on my rollator which has a seat. When I finally got in and the court person scanned my notice in, she looked at me and my rollator and had me wait in a soft chair right inside the doorway to the waiting area while she scanned all the others (250+) in. After they were all checked in and had gone down the narrow stairway into the waiting area, she came to me and said, “There’s too many stairs and too much walking as we have 18 courtrooms, and who knows where you might have to go. So, you’ve reported for duty and you’re released! I was a little disappointed, but relieved at the same time.
I have PPMS and can no longer walk without a walker. I have a rollator and use it every time I am out. Also have to use it in the house. My family is thrilled because they were always worried I would fall. I also have a scooter that I use when we go out anyplace that requires lots of walking( mall, airport, sporting events). It is wonderful and allows me lots of freedom. I can get it in my car easily and anyone else’s car, it doesn’t require a special hitch. I can ride it to gate of airplane, I pop the battery out and they store it underneath the plane like a stroller. I have decided that MS is not taking any more of my independence from me than it already has. My friends and family are all very accommodating and supportive. But yes, unfortunately insurance doesn’t pay for them😟
It is a Luggie and I paid about 2 thousand for it. Best $$$ I have spent( my family and friends agree)! I can’t tell you how many people have stopped me and asked about it.
Good for YOU! I went through the same thing but after I had been in a wheelchair for months because of a lesion on my spinal cord. I now use electric scooters the stores provide. I wish I could afford a scooter for myself.
I need to use something for long walks or for trips. Legs are no good after a few hours.
It took me 23 years after my diagnosis to use a rollator. I went from a cane to scooter to rollator and walker. After 2 horrific falls and a total of 15 stitches I use the rollator at home and scooter once I leave the house. The great thing about my devices is they put me back on a equal plane with peers and I can do more things. After 36 years with MS I use the device that works for that day.
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