Mobility Scooters - giving a new lease of life to the disabled

At times, life can give you many unwanted and unthought-of surprises, which leave you fumbling for support and in need of mobility assistance. Being able to move about independently without the assistance of care givers goes a long way in building the confidence and dignity of a disabled person. Unlike the yesteryears, where crutches and wheel chairs were the only mobility solutions for mobility impaired, the new age mobility aids including walkers, strollers, rollators, and mobility scooters have given a new lease of life to the disabled.
Medical mobility scooters are basically modified wheelchairs, which have been configured like a motor scooter. The first mobility scooter was invented in 1068 by Allan.R. Thieme to help a family member diagnosed of multiple sclerosis. Since then, there have been several technological advances, however, a basic model would have 2 wheels at the back and one or two wheels (depending on the amount of stability and compactness required) in the front, along with a stable seat, flat foot space, easy maneuver handles for steering the front wheels, and speed/direction controls on the front handle. Medical scooters are commonly battery operated, rather than gasoline operated, to prevent any unto do accidents. A variety of mobility scooters are available in the market with various design features incorporated to make movement and overall life of the disabled more comfortable, accident free, and normal like. Some very common features include swivel seats, height and angle adjustable handles, carry-on baskets, adjustable arm rests, and easy touch speed and direction controls.
Medical mobility scooter has several advantages over a wheelchair (self propelled or electric). The scooter is ideal for people with reduced or no stamina, limited upper body strength, and/or low arm and shoulder flexibility, essential for maneuvering a self propelled wheelchair. Moreover, the flat foot space along with stable seats provides better support than the foot supports of a conventional wheelchair. Many medical scooters come with angle and height adjusted seats, which make getting on and off the scooter easier and risk free. A mobility scooter is especially recommended for people with whole body disabling conditions like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, obesity, and such, where the person can sit upright without torso support but has low strength or flexibility to handle a wheelchair. Another advantage of having a scooter over a wheelchair is that they do not look like conventional disability aids, which is a major factor for people who are still to accept their condition and feel ashamed to use mobility aids.

Deciding to own a mobility scooter is easy, but choosing the right model need not be. There are a number of brands and models of medical scooters available in medical supply stores, all with varying features, so how do you select the right one? First, assess your needs and limitations – do you need it to use indoor, outdoor, or both, are the places you regularly visit disabled friendly, how compact or spacious is your home, what is level of arm movement you can handle, what level of upper body support do you need, and most importantly your budget; answering such question will give you an idea about the features and accessories that are essential in your mobility scooter. Based on these factors, do a research on the various models and the features offered and select the most practical model. Always place foremost importance to safety and stability, everything else (aesthetics and fringe accessories) should take a backseat.
So, worry no more! Stop feeling confined and move around independently with a mobility scooter. Your pride and safety will never be in jeopardy when you move around with a mobility scooter.