Calling all scooter users

stickywicket
stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
edited 14. May 2016, 04:42 in Living with Arthritis archive
We shall be moving to the Scottish Borders shortly. How shortly depends on a few things but certainly by the end of the year and possibly by the end of next month :shock:

Naturally, it's a bit of an emotional tug so I have decided to reward myself with my first ever scooter / electric wheelchair. Unfortunately, the Borders tends to be hilly and the house we really like is very disabled-friendly once one has negotiated a VERY steep drive.

My questions:

How steep can they do?

For how long (bearing in mind the whole area is very hilly)?

Would it help to try to lessen the gradient by building a path across the front garden?

How likely is it that I could get one that would fit into the car boot but also cope with the hills?

If I had to go down the wheelchair route (not as much fun) would I be more likely to buy one sturdy enough for the gradients but dismantleable(?) enough for the car?

Any info at all would help. I'm a complete rookie with these things.
If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
Steven Wright

Comments

  • theresak
    theresak Member Posts: 1,998
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My scooter struggled with anything other than a gentle incline,& on a couple of occasions I had to phone Nick to come & get me. Having said that, it was just a 'basic' model - there are more powerful ones you can get, but I'm not sure how portable these would be. The one I had fitted in the boot of the car quite easily. ( we have a Qashqai )

    Is there a disability centre anywhere near where you live? I tried mine out first at the ' shop. '

    I saw a man on a super-duper one on Monday in the supermarket - metallic red & sleek lines, almost like a car in design : I was immediately covetous! It wouldn't have fitted in the boot, of course.

    Actually, I think you can get 'all terrain' ones now - I'll have a look in Nick's climbing magazine later.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Like Theresa says, it would help to get some advice off a disability shop, but be aware we came across one that just wanted to sell us anything..has far has I know the more they do the heavier they get, so wouldn't be compatible with folding into a car..now if you could think about changing your car they do have ones with ramps that slide out..good luck I hope you find just what you need..
    Love
    Barbara
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Tezz, you certainly can get all-terrain ones. My friend, G, and I (she had Muscular Dystrophy) used to drool over them :too-hot: All you need is a sugar Daddy to dig very, very deep into his pockets.. I have Mr SW instead and, despite all, I'm not swapping.

    There is actually a Disability Shop where we're thinking of buying a house but they haven't yet seemed interested in my email. I'm not pushing it because, frankly, I was told ages ago I shouldn't ride one due to my very old TKR refusing to bend enough to get properly on board. Instead I had to drape it, inelegantly, over the mudguard. I doubt a decent shop would sell me one. Maybe a second hand one from a clueless seller?

    Barbara – good thought but actually Mr SW is considering downsizing the car in order to get it more easily up the drive.

    You're right, folks - this drive is not at all suitable for us but the house really is. Much more so than any others we've seen.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Slosh
    Slosh Member Posts: 3,194
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My little scooter can only manage slight inclines. However online companies that specialise in these often offer free home visits/trials with no pressure to buy so that might be an option worth exploring and they give god advice over the phone including saying if their products are just not suitable. There are also companies which offer scooter hire by the week which might be helpful as well.
    He did not say you will not be storm tossed, you will not be sore distressed, you will not be work weary. He said you will not be overcome.
    Julian of Norwich
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sound like fun times ahead Stickywicket!

    Just out of interest did you know that 'they' do outdoor stairlifts. Like the indoor ones. I would imagine this might solve the issue as you could then go for a leccie chair or lighter scooter???

    Hope you can solve the issue :)

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you Slosh, frog and everyone else who has contributed.

    For the record, and for anyone else who is interested, I have found this independent site which helps people to chose the scooter most suited to their needs. I shall investigate further once we are moved. http://www.rica.org.uk/content/choosing-mobility-scooter

    The oudoor lift idea is interesting and has potential but I'd rather manage without if I can. (Use it or lose it.) My son is going to do a recce to try to work out gradients. The next step will be to take his builder friend with him.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Barbara – good thought but actually Mr SW is considering downsizing the car in order to get it more easily up the drive.
    The one we saw was a small family car and out of the back came this scooter...the drawback... there are no backseats..
    Love
    Barbara
  • daffy2
    daffy2 Member Posts: 1,636
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    If you're looking at rejigging gradients etc might be worth thinking about bad weather access as well - for you, any scooter devices, Mr SW, the car. Getting down a drive when it's frosty is interesting, getting back up may be impossible?
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Too true, daffy. Much thinking is yet to be done.

    But trying to find somewhere flat is difficult. And so many places seem to have either very basic kitchen, living room and 2 bedrooms / one bedroom and a dining room (How can you call it a 'dining kitchen when only two people can sit at a minuscule table?) or else more, but tiny, rooms. Disability requires more - and accessible - space.

    And I am reliably informed that many show homes actually have furniture specifically made for them so that the rooms look bigger ie the so-called 'double bed' isn't.

    We shall keep at it.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • daffy2
    daffy2 Member Posts: 1,636
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's often difficult enough finding a 'normal' house that ticks enough of the boxes, but as you say once extra considerations are taken into account the choice becomes even more restricted. It's an indictment of modern building practice that even though new builds have to meet certain criteria regarding door widths, downstairs WCs etc, what's actually being built is often even less suitable for compromised mobility than older houses, due to smaller rooms among other things.The trend for open plan means no chance of adapting for ground floor sleeping should circumstances require, although of course it's popular with developers as they can make the floor space even smaller - but not the purchase price of course. Allocated parking isn't much use for recharging mobility scooters but it takes up less space than individual off street provision...
    I was told that another trick in showhomes, as well as smaller furniture, is to take internal doors off(especially in bedrooms) so the lack of space to manoeuvre is not so obvious.
  • bubbles
    bubbles Member Posts: 6,508
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was going to say the same thing as Toni, I have used outdoor chair lifts, often at big country houses etc, to help us get up to the main house.
    The buggy I have can handle quite steep gradients. GoGo traveller plus, with the bigger wheels. I was terrified when I tried it at the mobility shop as their workshop is under the showroom and down a super steep slope. He said off you go, it won't run away.......... :shock: Down I went, turned round, thinking there is no way I will get up, not with me on it. Up we went, very quickly. Well impressed. Worth a look. :D
    I am very jealous that you are going to the Scottish Borders. I adore Scotland, the Highlands and Islands - we want to move to Skye............one day. Take care XXX Aidan
    XX Aidan (still known as Bubbles).
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you, Aidan. Yes, I once did a very brief outdoor chair lift into one of Cambridge's museums. This would need a bigger one but is not impossible. Your story is encouraging and I'll certainly bear it in mind.

    (My son and dil love the islands.)
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright