Migraine

I'm wondering if any of you have used mobility scooters to get through vacations or other types of high-activity situations. Here's why I am wondering.

I had the idea two years ago, when we were planning a family vacation around our two very active boys, that I might survive the experience if we rented a scooter. My husband was initially resistant, but I talked him into it, pointing out that if it kept us from having days when I'd have to stay in a hotel room and he'd have to single-parent at Sea World, it would be well worth it!

We had previously been skipping family vacations because they were just too much, and we were feeling bad because the boys were missing out.

Anyway, we rented the scooter and it was like magic. I wasn't exhausted, I enjoyed myself, and I was able to last most of the days because I was sitting the whole time. By the end, my younger son was begging for rides. We rented again the next year for the part of the vacation that was more active, and it was helpful again.

I've thought of actually buying a scooter, but I'm not sure if it will be a good investment. I do know that I might actually be able to go out shopping if I had one - I just can't make it through a mall on a lot of days, and I think I might find other uses for it besides vacation. However, my insurance definitely is not going to pay, and I don't know anything about taking them on airplanes.

Does anyone have advice, stories, etc. to share about this? Recommendations for types of scooters, even? I weigh about 145 lbs, so I think I could get away with a lightweight model, but I don't know if they are practical or not.

Lynne

Lynne,

What a good topic and idea!

In the past, I have often used wheelchairs to get through museums, airports and malls. Of course, I had to have someone there to push me. But, it was a great savior when my head would not tolerate the activity. I never thought of a mobility scooter, but that sounds like a fabulous idea because it is more independent than a wheelchair.

Thanks for bringing this up!

Kelly

Yeah, I debated the relative merits of an electric wheelchair vs. a scooter, and finally decided that since holding my upper body up isn't an issue, I'd go with the scooter. They drive better...

Glad to hear that somebody else has done this. I still get some funny looks when I talk about how I did Sea World and the San Diego Zoo on a scooter (I guess people don't always connect why heat exhaustion might aggravate a migraine past the point of no return), but it made sense to me.

Lynne

Thanks goodness for Wheelchairs and scooters! Our local Walmart has electric scooters, and it is the only way I can spend more than 10 minutes in the store.

The first couple years I had to use them I was self concious but now I just use them and remind my self the alternative is not going anywhere.

Mary in NM

Not a funny idea at all, especially if it helped! I have a walker on wheels that I use with my hemiplegic mmigraines. If needed I can sit in it and have DH push me.

My FIL has an electric scooter (he has parkinsons) and he got one for mom, but she just doesnt use it, so Im actually trying to sell it for them. Personally I would rather use one of those than a regular wheel chair! Only a few times have I used the elecric ones they have in stores, as I usually dont go out when Im to the point of nnot being a ble to walk.

But I totally understand the need for it on a vacation to like disney world or sea world! Kudos to you for doing what you need to make the best of a vacation for the whole family!


Tawsha