How long I have been in a wheelchair or scooter.
four years
I knew it was time for a wheelchair/scooter when...
My doctor of physical medicine and rehabilitation told me it was time, for my safety. Difficulty keeping balanced and a very weak left leg make walking a huge chore. As a side effect of all this, cognitive dysfunction sets in quickly when I try to walk due to extreme physical fatigue. As my job requires moving interaction with the public, it is much better that I remain coherent and mobile in a wheelchair than colliding with objects and people and speechless while barely on my feet and using a cane.
The hardest part of a wheelchair/scooter was...
Since my legs still work enough so that I can stand up and even walk with a cane, people ask me why I need to use the wheelchair when they see me move from the chair. Some uninformed or mean people say much less kind things. At first it really bothered me but after using the chair at work 95% of the time, I learned to have confidence in myself and the reason I was using the wheelchair. It was a gradual process over a couple of years. The next hardest issue was realizing how inaccessible the physical world is. Even though my place of work is brand new and was designed to be totally accessible, it isn't. Another problem is the transporting of the wheelchair.
Advice
- Realize the wheelchair is a tool to help you live your life better and more safely. It enables you to do things you ordinarily wouldn't be able to do. Love your wheelchair since it's your friend.
- Be realistic in choosing a chair. If you have weak arms and hands a full power chair will make your life easier. I resisted and compromised with my doctor by getting a power-assist chair. My shoulders and arms quickly become fatigued and sore moving the wheels, even though they are designed to require a small amount of force.
