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
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    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
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        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.