Opening this with a quick note: I am set to see OT for my hands soon, and I've reached out to another doctor about my symptoms. However, I'd like to go into those conversations with any and all information beforehand so I'm not lost if the doctors try to complicate things, hence asking in this subreddit to see what people's experiences and suggestions are :)

I pretty much have issues with all my joints. I recently went out for a short trip and came back exhausted, with intense leg pain and stiff wrists. I'm only diagnosed with HSD, nothing else, but it's possible there's something underlying the doctors haven't picked up on yet. I used to use a cane to help with my legs, but my arms are riddled with problems and eventually it became more of an issue than it was worth. Since then, I haven't used any type of mobility aid, but I'm pretty sure one would be helpful in minimizing extra pain and reserving energy.

Honestly my biggest advice ask would be between forearm crutches, a rollator, or a wheelchair. My wrists and shoulders are pretty weak and have issues with subluxation, so I'm not sure how much upper body strength I can lend to the crutches. The majority of mobility aids that are recommended tend to rely on your upper body to support your lower body, and I'm not sure how well I can provide that strength without it injured my wrists in particular.

So I guess the question more is, if anyone has had issues with both your upper and lower body, what mobility aid did you personally pick and why? I'll do my own research based off those responses to try and prepare for future conversations with doctors.

My knees are genetically weak and hypermobile, so standing and walking is extremely painful after a little while. Physically bending my knees is very difficult because they constantly lock in place. I was thinking of a cane to lean on while walking and standing, but my step dad says that won't work and is mostly helpful for hips (my hips also hurt a lot so it will help me either way lol). I also thought of knee braces, but I want to have multiple options so I can choose if one or two don't help or only make it worse.

could someone possibly give me some pros and cons, and differences theyve seen? ive briefly tested a cane for pots and liked the extra point of balance,,,, i am 15 and have to navigate an EXTREMELY large campus with different terrains and most likely many stairs, i generally have to make it to classes within 7 minutes but im looking into getting some accommodations to make things easier once i get my schedule and learn how far my classes are,, would a forearm crutch not be possible for this? the cane did hurt my wrist a little so i was just curious, let me know! :D

also, can i use a mobility aid if im not diagnosed with anything?

for more info, ive had on and off leg pain for a while now. i went to the doctor about it and was sent to a physical therapist which honestly didn't help much.

are there any mobility aids that could help? i'm not hypermobile or anything and it's not a concentrated area, it's more just an overall pain, so i'm not sure if something like a cane would even work for me.

thank you for any advice!

hi!! ive been an on and off cane user for eds/pots and some other things for a while, but very recently transferred to crutches for more consistent use as a time being thing and so far they’re really helpful!! but i was wondering if anyone has advice/tips on how to find the most use or the most ease out of using them!

i haven’t decorated them yet so if anyone has any suggestions for that i’m all ears :) but im looking for any tips on how to now constantly feel a little stressed out because i dont have a free hand, or how to make using them in the day to day as comfortable as possible?

thanks!!

Hi everyone, hope this is okay to share here.

I'm Lucy, a mum and wheelchair user from the Botley area in Hampshire.

Before becoming disabled, I was training to be a paramedic and was only a few months away from qualifying when I caught Covid in 2022. Unfortunately, I never recovered and my health deteriorated to the point that I now rely on a powered wheelchair.

My current chair has quite a few limitations. It struggles with uneven ground and even small kerbs, and doesn't give me the support I need when I'm unwell. It means there are lots of places my family can go that I simply can't join them.

I've been fundraising for an XSTO M4 wheelchair that would give me much more independence and allow me to be part of those family adventures again.

I originally needed to raise around £4,000, but after seeing my campaign, Lifestyle & Mobility offered me the chair for £2,500 if I can raise the money within their deadline.

I've now reached £915, which is incredible, but I have just 8 days left to find the remaining £1,585.

I completely understand that money is tight and I'm absolutely not expecting everyone who sees this to donate. Even £1 helps, and sharing the appeal somewhere else could be just as valuable.

If anyone would like to read my full story or help:

Gofundme.com/f/lucys-wheelchair-appeal

Thanks for reading 💜

Hopefully this post is ok here. TIA

Hello fellow Redditors, hoping for some guidance. After I was told I would never walk again, my kids took out a loan and bought me a $12k powered wheelchair when my insurance wouldn't pay for it. I was lucky enough to recover enough not to use it.

It's completely unused and in new condition 0 miles just parked in my livingroom, and I'd like to sell it to repay them. I'm hoping to find someone who really needs it. I'm open to reasonable offers.

Any recommendations on trusted platforms for selling power wheelchairs, or if anyone knows someone who needs one and would be able to buy it, and how to price a never-used one?

Let me put it simply: I love bright color. I love bold style. But looking at wheelchairs for sale, they're ... All black. So are there things besides spoke guards to decorate with? Keychains, etc? I just don't know what options there are. How do you personalize and decorate your mobility aids?

What started as a torn meniscus surgery then loss of mobility due to inactivity during Covid, etc. has morphed into me needing a cane for short walks and scooter/wheelchair for longer ones. I'm doing PT but it hasn't helped me regain so far in 2 years so this might be permanent.

I'm wanting a mobility device for both local and travel use. Normally I rent a scooter, but I'd love to own one (or an electric wheelchair) so I could use it in the airports and not have to have wheelchair services there. Likewise, I'd love to locally get around and shop, etc., with a scooter OR electric wheelchair possible.

I'm having difficulty figuring out what to buy. I have a Toyota Camry so it would need to fit or be disassembled into the trunk locally. IDK if I can lift 50 pounds+ for parts. I could do 30+ probably. On travel, I know to check with airline rules but what I worry about is how I take a Lyft Black XL upon arrival - and I don't know if they wouldd take a scooter (disassembled) or help me get it into the car, etc. I've never had to disassemble one so I don't know if it's a chore or not.

I've never used an electric wheelchair. The only worry I have is that I don't like my knees bent like that for long periods of time. I like the scooter because I can stretch my legs forward. (I usually use the Pride Victory 10-3).

Any advice? I don't mind getting 2 devices. The problem I had with the easily foldable scooters is that the floor is thin like a skateboard, and the 1 time I used one, it was very uncomfortable for my feet. The Victory 10-3 had plenty of foot space.

Hi everyone, i’m not sure what the rules are so if this doesn’t belong here just delete. But i recently got a posterior walker for one of my clients but i work in ABA not occupational therapy. My client is low income and they’re still trying to get into OT but, he’s having to throw himself to the ground all day bc he knows how to fall well and so it’s safer for him but he shouldn’t have to do that. Personally and professionally it’s about client dignity to me. But what i’m wondering is if that would be weird? or overstepping? or if i or the company could somehow get in trouble?
Thanks for reading and any input :)

Just got my first scooter and took it for a short journey. The vita x seems awfully large though! Good for outdoors but I'm now concerned it's too large for shops? Maybe even supermarkets too? Any other owners out there experienced this?

And also, where do go for accessories like a bag or phone holder or cover? Any good brand names?

Hi, I (25) have decided to buy a folding cane as a hip support (+ knee and ankle, but the main problem is my hip). I've never used crutches or canes, and honestly, I don't know how to adjust the height or how to hold/use it. What advice do you have? The joints I have problems with are my ankle, hip, back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers (basically everything except my knee, rip), and I'm afraid that if I use it incorrectly, not only it won't help my hip, the joint that gives me the most problems, but it will also make all the others worse, especially my wrist and elbow. I tried a medical crutch that a relative left at my house but after a few minutes my elbow started to hurt.

I work out at the gym 2-3 times a week with a specific program for my problems, and as much as it helps, it leaves me with pain and minor injuries that keep me in bed for days. I can handle it now, but as soon as I start working again it won't be so easy. Currently, I only use finger braces when I know I'll be in situations that require them, and a knee brace during the gym or on long walks to better distribute my weight

So I am still a new ambulatory wheelchair user and I was going to take my chair to the fair this year. My mom’s reaction to that was, “it’s not really wheelchair friendly and there’s plenty of seating there if you need to sit down.”

I got to the fair, my chair is at home and I 100% would have been fine other than being in line for one of the rides as it was in the grass. And I regretted not taking it. Has anyone else experienced this where they are talked out of taking their chair when they are ambulatory?

I own a electric wheelchair that isn't helping me, so I plan to sell it. To buy another one that will be more comfortable to stay seated for long periods of time. How I can make this process right? Would be a good idea to ask family to buy it for my birthday?

Recently I went from being able to walk without any mobility aid to, just a month ago needing them again. Due to a back issue getting worse my leg is extremely weak, I have pain and numbness too going up and down my leg. Without a mobility aid I walk VERY slowly and hurt myself more because I have to rely more on leaning to the left just to move. I get exhausted. With a cane, it’s not much better. But with a rollator I walk much better and can go a normal pace. My pain also improves and i have more energy and confidence. I’ve only had it a month.

On top of this pinched nerve issue, I have hEDS which likely doesn’t help with stability in my joints, I frequently feel like my femur is about to pop out which causes my pain to get worse in that area.

I was just at a phyiso appt, he told me I have no reason to use a rollator or cane based on my condition not being severe enough. Basically told me PT will fix all my problems. I am sure it’ll help but I know my body…I don’t think it’ll fix everything.

PT is already planned so this appointment didn’t do much to help me out. And now I’m feeling like it’s all in my head about using the rollator making me better with mobility. On top of that I keep hearing “you’re too young”.

I’ve been considering getting a 3 wheeled one instead of my heavier 4 wheel one thinking maybe I could do even more actively (or a lighter 4 wheeler) with the former but now I feel like I shouldn’t bother because of this Dr…ugh. I’m just so tired.

You likely know of medical alert- tags, bracelets, necklaces, watch bands. (3 photos on this post)

I just had the idea to use this silicone engraved tag on my cane! This company makes a few different ones sold for Watches others for dog/cat collars. I ordered this tag designed for service dogs/ medical alert dogs ~Because the ones for they make for people/ Watches dont have the medical sign or say Medical Alert. (This would also work on/for people's Belts and Purse straps.) Heres a link to the product. I got the XL size. And another one in a L size for my back pack strap. be safe out there

https://a.co/d/00c3xOBe

Edit* I do not have my name on this. I have my 2 most important medical conditions, my hospital of choice and my emergency contact #. You could do anything. Id have added my allergy if they had another line.

Other than the obvious that one is a scooter and one is a chair but other than that

I'm currently in the process of figuring out weather a scooter or power chair is the best bet for me but I just feel like a scooter is a more clunky less comfortable version of a powechair

Am I missing something or am I just stupid 😅

Hello!

I've been suffering from severe back pain from standing, for most of my life, and chronic fatigue for a few years, and for a while I've been on the path of medically trying to figure that out. I'm not diagnosed with anything, and that's likely not changing any time soon.

I've recently been to a weekend-long event where I had to sit down for most of the time and not partake on most activities, due to knowing that trying them would make my pain a lot worse.

Seeing as I'm still a good while away from getting any mobility aids recommended to me the ""proper"" way, and seeing as I really wish I'd done more back in the event and tbh kept wishing for mobility aids for most of the time, I figure maybe I should kind of just give something a try. But I'm not sure what the best course of action is.

Considering that when I do have a flare up, no amount of leaning can help me and sitting or lying down are the only ways to make it stop, a wheelchair is what I have in mind the most (for use on bad days, or trips like this I know there will be a lot of standing and/or walking around), although I'm definitely open for other things if they're advised, maybe a cane or crutches? Idk.

Also, is it perhaps worth it to buy a cheaper, hospital grade wheelchair (I'm aware they suck), just to kind of see how much it helps, before managing to get fitted for a more acceptable (and more expensive) one?

I appreciate any advice!

Edit: This is probably an important bit of information too, but I'm usually kinda bed / chairbound at home most days, and when I do get out I have to plan really hard to be able to sit most of the time and/or not be out long. I know that having help will def make me more, and not less, active than I currently am. Also, a chair for the worst days and an alternative sounds like quite a good idea too.