A Wheelchair?

 

 

Above, a nice comparison of a few foldable wheelchair mobility aides. 

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One of the mobility aides I am now looking at seriously is a wheelchair. While I don't need a wheelchair, there are certain foldable types that seem enticing for long distance walking in the city. I want something that I can use as a walker and that be converted to a rollator when I need it. What I have now, the Acre model, is fine, but its seat is narrow, and one can't rest comfortably if one is walking far. There are walker/rollater models that are dual. Expensive, but not so much as the Atto, which can cost around 3.000 dollars.But these models are electric wheelchairs that will, if you want, do "the work for you." And that does look promising. 

I recently learned after trying to strengthen my legs and walking that it takes time, and there is no guarantee that I will get back to what I was even a decade ago. I still do not know what part "the mind" plays in holding one back. It does play a part, for sure, but how much?

Being in a wheelchair has another "mind" issue. Can one be in a wheelchair outside and not be considered a cripple? (I use that negative word on purpose here.) Ideally, nothing matters but myself and my difficulties and challenges, but that is not the truth. So, for me, I would be outside using a mobility aide as a rollator, but a distance away, I would probably convert it to a wheelchair and have it move electrically. Can I do this on the city sidewalks or will I still have difficulties?

In New York, where I am at, there is a way to go around on a city bus. I haven't tried that yet with my problem, but that, and the expensive taxi trip, doesn't not limit me. But I would much rather "do it myself," and go down to Chinatown, which I used to do regularly, in one of these wheelchairs,that I can fold when I reach the Chinatown cafe.

There are a couple of promising models coming up next year, like the Smart Walker. But can one wait? And will these new models have problems we still don't know about?