Power Scooters
Power scooters are one of the options that are available to people who have reduced mobility. It is not the solution for everybody, of course. For some people, power wheelchairs or power based wheelchairs might be a better option to move around. It all depends on each person’s needs and specific disabilities. It’s also a good idea to have a few test rides on different vehicles in order to get one that the person really feels comfortable with. In many instances, the choice will be one that will last for the rest of the person’s life, or a big part of it, so it’s not a decision to be taken lightly.
The first hurdle to overcome is psychological. Contrary to what most people think, disabled people do not like power scooters (not at first, anyway), an do not look forward to using one, even if they will make their lives easier.
That is because disabled people love their independence, perhaps much more than people without disabilities. They don’t like to feel dependent on crutches, instruments, or machines, including, power scooters. They see power scooters as a threat to their independence. Or they think people will notice them more. Or they think they will feel much more aware of their disability. Finally, they also see it as a failure, or as a surrender to a disabling condition.
That is why it’s very important that the whole family supports the person, and make him or her feel ok about his or her condition and the advantages of getting a power scooter. For example, children or even teens can be told that the power scooter is a big toy, or a motorbike. In some cases, professional help should be sought.
Of course, the purpose of power scooters is to improve the life of the disabled person. So, if after being spoken to about it several times, the disabled person still refuses to get one, it shouldn’t be imposed on him or her.
Power scooters are best suited for people who can still walk by themselves, but not much. They require enough hand and arm mobility to move the tiller, as if it were the handlebar of a bike. They also have a wider turning radius than other options, so they might not work in very closed spaces.
One advantage of Power scooters is their look, which looks, of course, much more like a normal scooter than a wheelchair. This might help ease the psychological transition for the patient. Power scooters are also easier to disassemble and carry in a car trunk. Finally, they are cheaper than power wheelchairs.