Mobility Scooters and those who use them are often subject to ridicule in the media, but mine is a lifeline that allows me to get out and about and join my young family on their adventures in the big wide world.
When I was well, and working as a scientist at Cardiff Uni, I thought nothing of nipping down the hill, through our local park, to the railway station in our village to catch the train to work, and back up again after work at the end of the day. Now though, this has all changed because of my illness, so a trip down to Radyr via the park requires a lot more thought and the use of my faithful steed, my mobility scooter.
Using the scooter has given me so much independence – it’s a fantastic vehicle that can deal with so much more terrain than a power wheelchair. I sometimes like to pretend I am driving a go-kart (though much less power, of course). One day, I would love to try a proper quad bike, or even a snow-mobile- losing my legs has turned me into a real petrol-head!
Thanks to my blue electric steed, I can get out and about again and most importantly accompany my family on all our adventures. We go to our village, St Ffagan national history museum, Cardiff City Centre or further afield, like Ynys Mon (Anglesey), or Paris, France.
No, I can no longer walk, but thanks to inclusive technology, the right wheels, considerate city planning (some places are way better than others- more about this in a later blog) and support, I can still get out to many places and enjoy life to the full with friends and family, I’ve learned never to take these moments for granted. No I probably won’t climb Machu Picchu but there’s a railway up to the peak of Eryri (Snowdonia) so there is still so much I can still see and do.
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