Totally unrestricted and able to move easily
No restrictions and able to move easily
There was a wonderful time when I had felt totally unrestricted and able to move easily. Even on the fateful day in 1995 when the consultant diagnosed me with multiple sclerosis I was just a normal guy. Multiple sclerosis, I had never heard of it. I had to look it up in an encyclopaedia and the definition was wishy washy and medically vague.
Totally unrestricted and able to move easily
OK I had had bladder problems but that was in 1979 and it only happened twice The double vision, that resulted in my diagnosis, it only lasted for a few days. The only long term problem was also visual. The grass was a different shade of green depending which I eye I used. At the time no one was worried.
Different situation now
Now my life is totally different from those heady days when I was diagnosed. A suntan is out of the question. Driving the car is not an option. I can’t even walk 100 yards to the nearest coffee shop. My needs and priorities have changed completely.
In other words
OK I can walk. 1 kilometre takes me approximately 45 minutes and I have to use a rollator 🙁 . I now need to have a power nap in the afternoon. I can’t carry a cup of coffee or a plate of food. Muggins me didn’t see these problems coming.
Guess what
Nobody ever told me what problems I might encounter. Why didn’t I ask anyone? I’m very good at closing my eyes and putting fingers in my ears. It is quite likely that I was too embarrassed and frightened. Someone did mention that I might end up in a wheelchair, not there yet 🙂
I’m different now
Now I have a whole host of problems. The things I really enjoy doing are those that make me forget I’m disabled. I’m not obsessed with finding things to make my life easier; that would be depressing. It would remind me how much my life has changed.
Saddle stool I use it in the kitchen
The wetroom
What helps me?
The saddle stool I use in the kitchen is indispensable. The wet room is vital and life without it would be pretty grim. Both my rollator and FES fall into the same category.
Have you guessed it yet?
You all know what I really enjoy using. Its the Travelscoot. When using it I really do forget that I have MS. Total freedom to move from one place to another. OK I am still disabled but the problems of MS just melt away when I’m on it. Funnily enough playing bridge and working on the website are also very therapeutic.
Freedom on the Travelscoot
I need to be able to park my MS. The Travelscoot gives me that freedom. Now I understand why people go skydiving.
Tell me what helps you to forget the restrictions of your physical disabilities?
June 2017
Hi Patrick. I would like to see a TravelScoot. Could you post this request on your site.
Is there any body in the Sussex area who has a TravelScoot that I can look at to see if its suitable for my disability.
Many Thanks
Hello
if I remember, and that is a big if, I will include this email in my next blog that will go out early next week. I suggest you try giving TravelScoot a ring 00-49-89-57951906. This is their number in Germany. Have you spoken to them?
Don’t worry I will try hard to remember your request.
Hello Madelaine,
I will print your request in my news letter that will go out sometime around 21/22 August. This is assuming that my memory does not let me down
Hello Madelaine,
All set to go out today
I agree whole heartedly with you Patrick, I love the independance Travelscoot gives me. The only problem I have is when I have my pelvic nerve pain I find it very uncomfortable to sit on anything not least a moving, jiggling scooter!
Hello,
OK but it’s so cool. Does going slower help?
That describes my Travelscoot experience perfectly. What’s even better is that I get envious glances – and kids saying “Cool…”.
Hello,
Yes its the envious glances from the children.
It’s my most valued possession……I am part of the human race again and able to be a free spirit again. I am not stuck at home wishing I could go out and enjoy window shopping, garden centres and going for walks with my little grandson who loves sitting on my knee. It has been my life saver and kept me sane. I have OA, RA and worst of all Fibromyalgia with endless all over pain restricting your every movement. Thank goodness for my little scooter, it’s saving my ‘life’.
Hello,
Its my life saver or should I say saviour, too. It allows me to retain my quality of life, so important
I’m always looking for a seat. When I have to stand for any length of time I become whacked out. I also get whacked out if I have to move around! I’m trying to watch my weight now and my diet is moving towards vegetarian! We are hopefully moving house soon and my mobility scooter is my saviour at the moment as it allows me to help clean out the garage, the garden, helps me to take stuff from the house to the car and then to recycle or a charity shop. I still need a boot scooter to improve / enhance holidays to Devon. Your saddle stool would seem to be ideal for preparing food and cooking and I must get one next as I have failed to do much cooking over the last few weeks. The grandchildren would also enjoy whizzing around on it? Thanks for allowing me to write down my thoughts and perhaps discover / clarify my priorities.
Hello,
Where would I be without my Trike or saddle stool? They allow me to enjoy my life rather than struggle to survive. I cannot stand up straight for more than a couple of minutes so the stool means I can still be in charge in the kitchen. Its my domain
Being at live theater or music events.
When you are sat immersed in the experience the challenges of the journey (and having funded the ticket in the first place!) disappear.
hello,
To true. Living close to London we go to the National Theatre and that is a real pleasure. Getting around London always an adventure