Well Moodscopers; many of you know of my travails and difficulties over the last couple of years; this blog is about a bit of a tumble I took recently. 

I have booked myself a ‘holiday’ visiting my brother and his family in Nova Scotia later this year and I honestly thought I could manage if I simply took my wheelchair. Then I began imagining different scenarios…I’m assured it is a mere 9 minute walk to the lake….and so on. And I can’t walk far without seriously falling and hurting myself. So I began looking for ‘airplane friendly mobility scooters.’ 

Who knew they even existed? 

Well, they do. And in profusion. What they all have in common is: how expensive they are – I’m talking over a thousand pounds – how flimsy they are; and how limiting they are. Companies enthuse their product has a ‘range on up to 8 miles on a single charge!’ Really? They have a ‘ground clearance of ‘up to 3 inches!’ Really? Absolutely no good for me. 

They all use lithium batteries. And lithium batteries are expensive. 

Eventually I narrowed down my search to one company which offers 3 wheeled scooters; like a tricycle. It offered up to 12 miles on a single charge…..and has a ground clearance of up to 6 inches. And….there is space beneath the seat to store my luggage. 

Drawback was the expense. It was extremely expensive; but it will go into the overhead locker on a plane. And it will fold and can be used on local trains and buses. 

I contacted the firm and was answered almost immediately…they also sell ‘refurbished’ scooters; second hand to you and me. And so I bought one. Along with a few extra bits. I ‘saved’ over £1,500.00 on this deal…which in itself tells you it was EXPENSIVE! 

It arrived; I somehow managed to put it together….and I tested it out. Oops. I misjudged how much space I had; a back wheel went over an edge and suddenly we – me and the scooter – were dropping 3 feet to the ground whereupon I bashed in my head on a tree stump!!

Fortunately the Postie was delivering at that exact moment….and I had someone else working in the garden….one simply lifted the scooter off me and somehow, between us I was standing. And bleeding a lot. 

I called 111 and – eventually – was told to get to an A&E immediately; did I want an ambulance? I did not! I called my brother, John. The one who was banished from my home. He arrived. We went to A&E and 3 hours later a doctor cheerfully informed me all I needed was 2 paracetamol and some rest. 

It could have been so much worse. 

John and I seemed to simply resume our previous easy relationship; banter, laughs and the odd serious bit. 

But it will never be the same. Not for me anyway. I trusted him with my heart. I won’t be so foolish ever again. 

Life eh? Odd!   

CMM

A Moodscope member