Due to a quite picturesque range of neurological ailments, not to mention the increasing effects of advancing age, I have become sort of less mobile than I was in my younger days. Where I used to be able to briskly walk for hours and hours, I now move slowly at a snails pace, for a maximum of one hour, leaning on either a cane or a crutch – depending on how I happen to feel that day. But I refuse to complain: there’s nothing I can truly say I lack in my life, and reduced mobility doesn’t really bother me.
Anyway, for the longer journeys I presently employ an electrical, which definitely makes me feel like a prince or even a king! Relaxedly sitting in a comfortable seat, pleasantly but never haughtly saluting the breathless passers-by, I zip along at either walking pace or double speed. When I feel social I “walk”, when I really need to be somewhere at a certain time I crank 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 – but a lot of others can’t. Especially for those 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 contraption, I certainly recommend the 3-wheeled version. They are considerably more manoeuvrable due to their tighter turning radius, which is a definite advantage in crowded or cramped spots. I also would advice you to go for batteries with a large capacity: it’s not only unpleasant but also quite embarassing to find yourself without of power when far away from home!
Apart from mobility scooters, there are many more things and inventions that make the life of the handicapped much more pleasant. Stairlifts, bed lifts, electric wheelchairs, rollators… they all help to make life much more normal for the handicapped.
