I’m not a wheelchair user, but I can only stand for 5 minutes and walk for 10. Any ideas what things can I do with those restrictions?

Edit: thanks to everyone that’s replied so far! I didn’t know if anyone would, but loads of you have given me great tips to make sure my disability doesn’t stop me having a blast! I really appreciate you ❤️

  • solrize@lemmy.ml
    6·
    16 hours ago

    It sounds like you should just buy one. They start around $70 new. But try to get one with bigger wheels since they handle bumps better. Drive Nitro is great if you can afford it, around $200.

      • solrize@lemmy.ml
        3·
        11 hours ago

        You mean for loading in a car? You can fold it up and put it in the trunk, but they do take up space there and the trunk can’t be too full. Or putting it on the rear seat is fine, if there’s space. In the restaurant itself it’s not a problem as either you park it near your table, or the waitstaff will offer to put it aside for you. They are used to it and it’s no big deal. If you’re in the bay area I know where a free one might be available. Otherwise just shop around. This is a nice style though that specific model is kind of heavy:

        https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/for/d/san-francisco-like-new-medline-premium/7881555910.html

        The seat flips up over the storage compartment, and the compartment is handy so you don’t have to carry stuff. It’s similar to my mom’s, though nicer. My mom’s has less padding and weighs maybe 10 lb.

        Also the things are full of warnings saying to not use them as wheelchairs (i.e. you sit on it while another person pushes it) but people do it all the time and it’s ok indoors on level floors. I’d avoid doing it outside where there can be bumps in the sidewalk and stuff like that. It’s definitely less stable than a real wheelchair and you don’t want to do it all the time, but it can help if you’re too tired to stand up.

        This is the Drive Nitro that I mentioned:

        https://shop.drivemedical.com/us/en/products/mobility/rollators/4-wheel-rollators/standard/nitro-aluminum-rollator-10-casters/p/48-1

        I see them around my mom’s place (senior center) a lot, and they look very nice. I haven’t spoken to their owners about them though.

          • solrize@lemmy.ml
            2·
            9 hours ago

            I think you will like it. When my mom first tried one (that belonged to a friend of ours), she wanted one immediately. It’s similar to pushing a shopping cart in terms of how it supports you and helps you stay balanced when you walk. Plus of course you have a chair that goes everywhere with you.

      • i_dont_want_to@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        2·
        12 hours ago

        I am an occasional rollator user and my partner is an occasional wheelchair user! (Different needs.)

        If you’re driving, kind of sucks. Unless you have a more spendy, lighter wheelchair, the wheelchair is a bit heavy to get in and out of vehicle. (I have hurt my back dealing with my partner’s chair, but I am short.) The rollator is still a bit bulky, but they also fold like a wheelchair but are also smaller and lighter.

        I haven’t used public transportation with these types of mobility aids. But I have seen wheelchair users get strapped in separately. You would need to hold your rollator in front of you.

        I haven’t had trouble in a restaurant with either one. With a rollator, I put it between me and the (vacant) chair next to me. Never tried a booth because I wasn’t sure where to put the rollator.

        If you’re going to a place where you would use a cart (like shopping), you need to handle the rollator somehow. I usually leave it in my car, but I’m not sure how you’d handle this if you took public transportation.