Adventures with My Mobility Scooter

Dagmar Munn avatar

by Dagmar Munn |

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(Photo by Dagmar Munn)

Dagmar Living Well

They’re boring, slow, and only for old people!

That’s what I told my husband when he first suggested that I consider using a mobility scooter.

Like so many who live with ALS symptoms, weak muscles in my lower legs limit my mobility. At home, I rely on a rollator, but when out and about I needed an alternative mode of transport to cover the longer distances. So, we bought a four-wheeled mobility scooter. Four years later, I can’t imagine life without it!

My scooter is fun, can go pretty fast, and doesn’t make me feel old at all. All that driving has taught me to expect the unexpected and be prepared to laugh. I’ve also collected numerous tips and stories; I’ll share a few of these with you here.

Always have a Plan B

My scooter rides along in our accessible van and I easily drive it out and down the van’s automatic ramp. Our method works quite well in the wide, accessible parking spots near the entrance of stores and shopping malls. But those spots fill up quickly, so we go to our Plan B.

This system entails looking for a large empty area usually found in the section farthest from the entrance. We park the van, unfold the ramp, and I ride my scooter to our shopping destination.

My husband and I take bets on what we’ll find when we return. I call it, “parking lot static cling,” because 50 percent of the time we return to discover that despite all of the open space, a car has parked right next to us! The owner has, obviously, ignored the stickers on our van’s windows proclaiming: “Wheelchair accessible vehicle — ALLOW 8-FOOT CLEARANCE.”

For a brief moment, I imagine taking no notice of the car and activating our ramp, letting it unfold into the backseat of the offending vehicle — demonstrating precisely what 8 feet is! But it’s a passing thought.

Instead, I scooter on over to a nearby open area and wait for the van to come to me. The ramp unfolds, we load ‘er up, and drive off while sharing a laugh at humanity’s peculiarities.

How to make a grand entrance

I love entrances with doors that open automatically. They let me blend right in with other pedestrians and enter without much ado. The entrances with manual-opening double doors try my patience, especially if the doors open to a small foyer with a second set of doubles. It used to happen all of the time: Once I make it into the tiny foyer, I’m stuck without room to move in either direction.

Now whenever I see the dreaded double-door dilemma waiting ahead, I hang back and wait. Invariably, a restaurant staff member or a helpful bystander will see us and join my husband in holding open all four doors.

I drive through with ease while extending thank-you’s to all, but not without adding a bit of levity to the situation. I do my best impersonation of the queen mum’s wave and call it “nobility mobility.”

My waiting game

When finished shopping, I wait for my husband while he goes through the checkout line; but exactly where to wait has been a challenge.

Chalk it up to another quirk of human nature.

Earlier, while riding through the store on my scooter, I felt invisible to the other shoppers who seem focused on their cellphones, lists, or searching for the right aisle. I have to avoid them running into me!

But if I happen to be near the entrance, suddenly I’m seen!

For example, I’ve tried waiting near a display of sale items, but store staff kept asking if I needed help. Next, I moved to an area just outside the entrance. Several concerned shoppers stopped and asked if I required assistance. I even briefly considered waiting just inside the store entrance, but that area was reserved for the store’s official “greeter.”

Finally, I found what I thought was the perfect spot to wait and not attract attention. It was near the entrance, next to a wall, and behind a tall plant. I suppose the image of a woman off to one side, sitting on a mobility scooter and peeking through greenery, could look suspect.

An elderly man sauntered up to me, and smiling broadly, asked, “Saaay, are you the speed police? Making sure we don’t push our carts too fast?”

Fortunately, another ALS symptom — slow speech — prevented me from making a snappy-dappy comeback. I merely smiled and made a mental note to continue my search for a better spot to wait.

Every trip with my mobility scooter is an adventure for me — and a reminder to live (and laugh) well while living with ALS.

***

Note: ALS News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of ALS News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to ALS.

Comments

Andi avatar

Andi

Daggie...’Another informative, humorous glimpse at your world while living with ALS. ‘Keep up that ‘royal wave’.... you are, indeed, a princess!?

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Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Many thanks Andi!

Renee Kavadoy avatar

Renee Kavadoy

Wow, another great funny column. I am sitting here laughing out loud. I too have a little scooter since I can no longer walk. It gives me so much freedom in my house. My husband goes on 90 minute walks every day and now I go with him. Such a joy for me to be outdoors and experience the sun and the great beautiful outdoors. I think of my scooter as my little therapy scooter. It stays next to my bed every night as I use it to safely transfer out of my bed. My granddaughter and I even play tag with it. She rides her bike and we go back and forth. I know how to out maneuver her. LOL Hopefully, my husband and I will get a vehicle to transport it as I use a wheelchair when I go out to various events. Dagmar, please keep writing your columns. I live my life with lots of laughter because it keeps me going and your columns keep me laughing and also keep me in a positive frame of mind. Someday, I would love to ride my scooter along side you. We need to do a scooter ride to raise money for ALS. You never know. Just an idea. God bless you,

Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Thank you Renee! Yes, those scooters can become a valuable component to our daily activities. You certainly are using yours in fun and inventive ways.

I love the idea of a "scooter ride to raise money for ALS" ...a perfect awareness campaign as well! :)

David Buschhorn avatar

David Buschhorn

I love the nobility mobility wave :-)

“Saaay, are you the speed police? Making sure we don’t push our carts too fast?”

"Move along sir. Nothing to see here." 8-|

I'd want to put all my old parts stickers from my car-racing days on the scooter. Maybe use my old tire-paint pen to put an M/T on the rear tires like Mickey Thompson drag tires :)

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Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Good idea David! :)

Thomas Stroud avatar

Thomas Stroud

I drove mine up a hill while on vacation. As I neared the top, the motor locked up. So thinking that it had just slipped out of gear I reached down and shifted the handle. Big mistake. I found myself hurtling backwards down the hill and crashed at the bottom with the scooter on top of me. I had to call my wife, who was out second hand store shopping with my daughter and they came racing back for me. They got the scooter off of me and got me back to our rental house. Luckily nothing was damaged but my pride. And yes, Boys will be boys. I should have never tried to make it up that hill.

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Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Boy, now that was quite the adventure! Good that you survived unscathed :) Bully for you though; "to go where no scooter has gone before!"

Keep up the good spirit Thomas!

renee kavadoy avatar

renee kavadoy

Wow, another great column. I sat and laughed and laughed out loud. I too have a scooter like yours. It gives me mobility and I get to experience riding along side my husband when he goes on his 90 minute walk in the neighborhood. We even cross a busy road on our journey. My scooter also parks next to my bed every night as I need to transport from it to my bed. It is my safety net. Sometimes I think of it as my therapy scooter. Just like a therapy dog. It takes the place of walking around. Pretty soon, I am hoping to get a vehicle that can transport my little scooter. I think I am going to learn how to use the royal wave. Many people love seeing me on the scooter. I even played tag with my granddaughter. She rode her bicycle and we chased each other around. Your columns inspire me so much. I can't wait to read each new one that comes out. Just being able to have a little laughter about all of this keeps me going. Please keep on writing your columns. You reach a lot of us out there. God bless you.

Reply
Eileen avatar

Eileen

Dear Ms Snappy-Dappy: You continue to inform, entertain and inspire me. Thank you for being you! Hugs galore - IE

Reply
Dagmar Munn avatar

Dagmar Munn

Thank YOU Eileen!

Ronald I Bremer avatar

Ronald I Bremer

Collapsible walking stick can give you an extra point of stability. Many people like the convenience of a folding walking stick or telescoping walking stick. You can carry in it your pack. If you prefer the cane grip on your walking stick, this collapsible walking stick is for you.

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Mobility Aids avatar

Mobility Aids

Nice, how you ride through your mobility scooter to everywhere and enjoyed driving it.

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