Scooter research.

dreamdaisy

I know that quite a few of you out there have these machines and it's time for me to join your number because the rollator is becoming more difficult to use for any length of time. I set off to my local Co-op disability shop yesterday, remembering that they had a large range and knowledgeable staff, to find that they had closed down. I then went to another large disability aids retailer in town to discover that they no longer deal with scooters. :?

I have looked at the interweb but I don't have a clue where to begin, so I have found places in Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds. My thinking is it's better to get personal, one-to-one advice about these matters rather than just buying on spec. Do any of you have experience of the processes involved? If so, did you receive the right advice or were you at the mercy of pushy salesmen? DD

Numptydumpty

Just a thought DD, have you considered getting one through the Motability Scheme? I had a brochure from them, I hadn't realised you could get scooters and powered wheelchairs through them.
Good luck,
Numpty

cherrybim

DD I have a Capri shoprider, have only used it once and can't give it away for love nor money

There's no suspension to these jobbies and for anyone with arthritis every bump in the pavement is sheer agony.

It really is horses for courses. Do trace the route you would habitually wish to travel first and make sure that every road/street crossing has dropped kerbs.

Stu and I witnessed a very sad accident last year when we were walking to the local village shop. As we turned the corner there was an ambulance attending to a lady who had obviously attempted to cross from the end of the parade of shops to the next pavement. Her substantial scooter was lying on its side in the middle of the road. Possible reason? There's no dropped kerb there

Last week Stu was shopping in the local precinct when he was knocked over by a scooter lout.

I believe that these five wheeled scooters are more stable but understand that they are prohibitably expensive.

Insist that you try before you buy.

stickywicket

I looked into scooters once and tried a few out and was advised not to have one Seriously, my problems aren't yours. My arms don't stretch or grasp well and my very aged TKR doesn't bend enough to rest on many models – I just had to dangle it outside

However, I learned that 3-wheels are unstable, hand controls vary a lot and the absolutely gorgeous all-terrain, fun ones would require an enormous car to get them to their starting point. (Not to mention an enormous bank balance.) I was advised to buy an electric wheelchair which I decided was no fun at all (They're for disabled people) so I didn't bother.

I think you're doing absolutely the right thing in getting all the info you can before buying. Go for it. Can I ride pillion

bluebunner

I have a Boot Scooter which means it comes apart to lift into the rear of a car.

It is very heavy and takes two people to lift in and out. It works for me.

Cherrybim is right there is no suspension so any uneven pavements are a nightmare, the "Horn" is just a quiet beep so not very good for warning people of your approach.

Depending on what you need it for you should think of one of the larger models that are designed for the road. 8mph speed limit, lights front and rear and a better warning horn. They are bigger with room for small amount of luggage/shopping etc.

If you have a Motability vehicle already I don't think you can have a scooter as well but you can apply for a grant to have a "Tail lift" installed to get your scooter into/out of the car. My daughter has one for her wheelchair and it is brilliant.

Good luck and let us know how you get on please

bluebunner

Should have added you can get two seaters, one behind the other like a tandem :P

tjt6768

bluebunner wrote:

Should have added you can get two seaters, one behind the other like a tandem :P

That's Sticky's ride sorted what about the rest of us :?:

tjt6768

http://youtu.be/8CwU64Lvb_A

I hope the link works DD.. I think I have found what you are looking for

hileena111

Hi DD
Is your car Motability....for some reason I didn't think it was.

Like others say what would you use the scooter for. No sarky answers please LOL...I mean would you want to go loccally on it or would you want it to fit in your car..

As you know I have a Nissan. Pixo boot is smaller than the micra
boot. I couldn't taker it to pieces and lift it anyway...even the battery is heavy. So I use it locally or possibly Peter drops me off with it somewhere or we are away and its in his car and gets used.
So I drive it but he takes it to pieces and puts it in his car.

Its not like the rollator that we could put in the car fairly easily and not be dependent on husbands.

I also drive{in the car} to our Metro Centre which is large and hire one there......have you any shopmobility schemes round your way? I know you have lots of disability shops.

Mine is 2nd hand but because I've got the car I don't need it all the time and its fine for what I need.
I cant use the rollator anymore either. I lean so heavily on it when I'm out because of this fracture in my hip ......very sore on one arm and side.I find my crutches are better...one or two depending how far I'm going.
Hope you get it sorted
Love
Hileena

dreamdaisy

I have investigated the Motability Scheme for a scooter but I would rather pay up front so it's all mine (just as I have with Beatrice) and I appreciate that I am lucky to be able so to do. Why do I want one? Well, to help out with the shorter journeys close to home (as long as I can get down the drive so that immediately rules out the little ones). I could use it to go into town, go round the park which is close to us, get to the pub and back more easily and get out and about to visit friends without having to bother about finding parking. This should reduce my fuel costs because Beatrice is a thirsty girl thanks to the lack of longer journeys. I have seen the tandem version, what a fabulous idea! I'm vaguely thinking about a custom-made version for yours truly, complete with recliner, drinks cabinet, waiter, satellite TV and chauffeur.

In the meantime I have the new wheelchair, this should prove to be useful. DD

stickywicket

dreamdaisy wrote:

I'm vaguely thinking about a custom-made version for yours truly, complete with recliner, drinks cabinet, waiter, satellite TV and chauffeur.

Oh please, please PLEASE may I see a pic of Mr DD in his chauffeur's outfit? Or will it be Alistair Cook? Do they make chauffeur's outfits in lycra? (Mig, stick your tongue back in )

hileena111

I do love the idea of your custom made one
Sounds like a medium size scooter would be best...OK you wouldn't be able to take it to pieces and put it in the car but you have the wheelchair for that now and it would be ideal for going about locally and visiting friends etc
Can you get stopped for being d & d on a scooter
Never thought about that before LOL

Love
Hileena

dreamdaisy

I logged on to a scooter website today and found my rugged-all-terrain vehicle is currently on offer with a free small scooter (of the boneshaker type) so I will ring for more information. If I go ahead than I will have all bases covered! I have, however, other fish to fry at the moment so the scooter issue will be put on the back burner for the time being. DD