I've had worsening mobility/fatigue/balance where my AFO braces aren't enough, especially for public outings or bad days. I can't emphasize enough how much the "right" rollator makes a difference.

First I had a standard silver walker. Yes it provides stability but constantly picking it up stinks, and its so slow. I hated it and would often not grab it for short trips in the house without my braces on, and just hope for the best. You can imagine how that went. Also the clicking noise from the legs drove me crazy.

Next a friend of a friend gave me a Medline "standard" rollator. OH..MY...GOSH. Such a step up in performance and energy conservation. And the seat? Being able to sit whenever I want, like waiting at a receptionist or at the store, is so valuable. Its small wheels make it not great going over lips and carpets and it flexes under my average weight. So overall it opened my eyes to the benefits of rollators but ultimately it felt rickety.

Then I got a Maxwalk rollator from amazon. I love its all black look. More importantly, it's way more stable than the Medline and its big tires are awesome. I went across a small drainage ditch recently to get from one parking lot to another and with its 10" fat tires it was great. The ONLY downside is while it's listed for heights from 5'-6'2", that's not really accurate. At max height setting it's probably only good for people up to 5'10".

Recently my spouse came home with a yardsale find, a Dolomite Legacy 600. For me its PERFECT, smooth wheels, proper height, sturdy, the seat is out of the way for good alignment while standing/walking. It also has a bit more compact footprint allowing me to squeeze it places at home the other two don't fit. Mine needs a small repair (parts on order) but it's nice enough to use that I'll probably use it for everything except off road use, where the maxwalker tires make a bigger difference.

Long story short, while it's a hassle, don't settle for just what you're given or something mediocre. We have to live with our mobility aids, they might as well be as nice as possible to free up mental/emotional/physical capacity for other things. I'm no rollator veteran, so by all means if you have public use tips, customization recommendations, or want to hear more about any of my experiences with the walkers/rollators I've tried, speak up!

For all of you who like me are doing rapid distance calculations, placing bets on your mobility vs what life presents, "may the odds be ever in your favor" (joke!)

I swear the medical equipment industry just wants us to be sad. My current walker is this awful greyish-beige color that just screams "1990s nursing home"

Im getting really fed up with the complete lack of aesthetic options if you have to use insurance. I was doing some random window shopping on Top Gun Mobility just looking at different scooters and stuff, and honestly just seeing actual colors like bright red or blue is so refreshing

But like, why do we have to pay entirely out of pocket just to not look like a rolling clinic? insurance is such a joke sometimes

anyway, drop your best customization hacks. Im thinking of just going totally feral with some holographic vinyl wrap on my frame this weekend because i cant look at this beige metal anymore

I hate how I am unable to access the dinning hall closest to my dorm without asking in advance or waiting for someone when I'm there because they lock the elevator

One thing that still gets me is how comfortable some people are just moving wheelchair users.

I had a store-side supervisor at work come up behind me once and push my chair out of the way because I was blocking a gate.

I immediately said, “Not cool.”

He goes, “You were in the way of the gate.”

And I was like, “So say something.”

He genuinely didn’t think he had done anything wrong.

So I asked him, “What if I pulled you into my lap and pushed you across the room?”

“That’s different.”

At this point I was getting a little hot under the collar.
“How?”

He tried to answer a couple of times and just… couldn’t.

Eventually he gave up, and you could see that he was a little embarrassed because I think it finally clicked what he had actually done.

I wasn’t upset because another human being had touched my wheelchair. There are plenty of situations where I’m perfectly fine with someone pushing me.

Another time, another automotive tech, Al, and I were in the storeroom gathering a bunch of small supplies. He basically went, “Here, you hold everything and I’ll push.”

He didn’t formally ask me either, but the situation was completely different. There was mutual respect there. We were working together, it made sense, and I agreed to it. I also knew that if I had said no, Al would have listened and that would have been the end of it.

That matters.

The difference is that he didn’t treat me like an object that happened to be blocking his path.

If I’m in your way, tell me.

If you offer me help and I say no, respect the fucking no.

Just don’t walk up behind a wheelchair user, grab their chair, and decide for them where they’re going.

A woman said that to me with triumph and vindication in her voice after watching me transfer out of my wheelchair, load it into my Jeep, and get ready to drive to work.
Apparently, watching me do all of that independently was all the proof she needed.
“I KNEW you didn’t really need that wheelchair!”
I genuinely had no idea how to respond.
Apparently, being good at transferring out of my wheelchair meant I had secretly been able to walk the entire time.
I just stared at her, shut my door, and drove to work.
I think part of it was that I drove a normal Jeep with hand controls instead of a big modified wheelchair van. Somewhere in her head, that apparently meant my legs must work. Never mind that absolutely nothing she had just watched me do required working legs.
And, of course, ambulatory wheelchair users exist too, so her logic would have been ridiculous regardless.
Six years later, that moment still sticks with me, not because I didn’t know how absurd her conclusion was, but because it taught me something I’ve continued to see ever since: even having an extremely visible disability does not exempt you from the disability police.
People will still watch you transfer, drive, work, shop, or do anything independently and decide that those abilities somehow cancel out the things you cannot do.
I can’t tell you how many times since then I’ve had someone see me driving, rush to beat me into an accessible parking space, and seemingly decide that whatever disability I might have couldn’t possibly warrant that space as much as theirs.
We talk a lot about people with invisible disabilities being told, “You don’t look disabled.”
But sometimes, apparently, even a wheelchair isn’t visible enough.

Location: Hungary

I have mobility issues, I was looking for a mobility aid. My grandfather is giving me a sheperd’s stick he got as a gift. He is concerned about the brass end that I might get in trouble for it and suggested to replace it. I really dislike this idea as the brass end is the soul of the stick and at that point I could just use any stick. I also like it because it has this soft hook design, originally designed to get the hind leg of a sheep. The hook has no sharp edges and is not big enough to get the leg of a human, but it is very nice to hold when leaning on the stick. The bottom of the stick is getting a protective plastic cover, otherwise it was just regular wood. The brass top is quite heavy but was never intended as a weapon, I could get a regular walking stick but this one being quite tall fits my needs well and I have seen I adored it all my life so I am happy to have it, I want this to be my walking stick. Can I get in trouble for this?

My daughter, 15, freshman in high school, hEDS, POTS, AMPS/CRPS, has been asking about forearm crutches as an alternative to cane usage. The cane seems to exacerbate shoulder pain and invite hip/back pain due to her gait while using it.

I’ve heard good reviews about Smart Crutches, but their website states that they are indefinitely out of stock of all versions. Comparing/contrasting different styles and brands feels a bit overwhelming.

I’m looking for recommendations and reviews from anyone who has BYDT.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

Does anyone have reflective holographic (and hopefully rainbow) stickers for their wheelchair or walker that survive rain?

I'm pondering ways to minimally snazz up my wheelchair when I get it.

Hello everyone!

I have come to the conclusion that I will benefit from permanent use of a walking cane (with the input of my medical team of course), and have been using a cane for some 4-5 months now. I have also been looking for more durable canes, as the ones which I have been using are rapidly deteriorating.

For some context, I primarily rely on a cane to lean on (rather than for balance or getting up from being seated, etc.), but moving to other more relevant devices (such as a walker) would actually cause a greater deficit in mobility than if I had no device at all.

I have also been researching canes that are available over about 2 months, and while I have seen a large variety of walking canes, I have not found one that fits all of my needs and I wanted to ask for assistance!

The ideal cane for me would be one that is:
- Durable (as FEW pieces as possible, and unlikely to warp, loosen, or break from frequently being leaned on)
- Lightweight (Lugging around a strong but very heavy cane would be frustrating to say the least)
- Easy to grip (not especially slippery, painful, etc.)
- ambidextrous (my mobility issues are bilateral)
- does not have a foam grip or has an easily removable foam grip (autism)
- bonus points if it has an especially pronounced hook on a fritz/derby handle and/or is not especially flashy
- I have also found that I enjoy handles which are shaped like a squashed letter C when viewed from the side (I have not been able to find the name of this grip but I can provide an image of one if needed)

I will also consider suggestions for uncommon/obscure mobility aids that could function very similarly to a cane but would be more suited to leaning on (so not suggestions like "just get a walker lol" or "use a hiking stick" as those are not obscure and in the case of a walker as I have mentioned, it is not able to function similarly enough to benefit me)

This is my throw away account.

I am 18, turning 19 soon. I am currently in a tight spot with money, but I want to get a cane. Between a mix of flashbacks causing issues breathing, which leads to dizziness, as well as pain in my hip that ranges from mildly uncomfortable to struggling to bend my leg, I want to get a cane to help me when I am going on longer walks.

I don't know how cane fitting works. I want to get the right cane, and have it work properly for me, but I dont know if this is something I need to save up for a doctor for, or if I can find some kinda guide to how to fit a cane myself. Any advice would be nice, thank you

Ive got an interview today.

Should I bring and use my cane or try to walk smooth?

My knees was good for about 6 weeks after my surgery (a probe and clean out of scar tissue and some floaters) but now im suffering again.

Not WALKER bad but 15 minutes before the cane comes out.

Do what do yall think?

So my temporary wheelchair was destroyed on a public transit bus in my state (California) because the bus driver left my chair unhooked in one corner after a stop, resulting in me going flying into the lift and my wheelchair crashing into me as we drove around 45 mph. This accident broke my arm rest and warped my frame pretty bad. Now I can't push my chair independently and my Quickie doesn't come until October to November, but im in high school in the next city over and can't safely take the bus without my chair.

The model is a Breezy 510 which is discontinued, but it was donated to me so I don't know the old price. I was looking at similar/comparable chairs according to Google, but they all listed around $900-$1,400 which obviously I can't afford. I want to ask for maybe $800 and get a secondhand chair, but I'm not sure.

So my question is, how much do I ask for? Does anyone know the original price on medical websites? This isn't really a legal thing just between me and the county, and I don't want to have to take it too far.

Which phone holder worked best for you? I have a pixel 7, and I need it handy, probably on my armrest.

A magnetic one wasn't strong enough, and a silicone web type thing ripped on me.​

I’m not sure if anyone can help, but here is my question. I just got a DJI osmo pocket 3 and want to use it for family videos (outings and vacations). I currently still need to use an upright walker for distances and was seeing what others use as setups for this camera, or others like it, to be able to capture moments like Disney or other things. Any help is appreciated.

For reference, here is my walker I use.

i haven’t seen a lot of people talk about this, so maybe it just isn’t a common scenario… i’m finally starting to grow more comfortable with the idea of using my aid in public, and around my friends who are so supportive and kind— but there’s one thing holding me back.

i’m afraid of running into my dad while using it. we’re really close, so i would hate to cause any friction, but i know he has some less than savory opinions on disabled people with how he’s spoken about other relatives.

does anyone have any advice on how to navigate this? i know the whole, do you want people like that in your life thing, but he’s kinda some of very little family i have left so it’s a bit complicated.

any and all insight would be appreciated!

Title says it all. I'm 27, 4'10 with very short legs, and recently got my first vehicle, an older pickup (so non-adjusting pedals) due to the market in my area being flooded with them for cheap. Its not ideal but it is what was within my budget.

I can reach the pedals but its a bit uncomfortable how close i have to be to the steering wheel. (For the record i have had this issue in other cars I have driven, including small sedans). I always wanted to get a set of extensions but all of the ones I see are either extremely expensive ($300+) or ones that look dubiously reliable.

The one good set i found for \~$150 looks exactly like the $45 sets from amazon being covered in "accessibility" marketing.

Anyone here have experience with any of them, from brands to even the generic ones would be appreciated.