#out of the two of us guess which one uses a rollator

[primrosebitch]

Tbh it really is something to have grandmothers (one late 70s other late 80s) who are in better shape than you are, like I go see my grandma and we walk somewhere and i'll be panting before she's even slightly out of breath and it's not like she's in the best of conditions either, and then don't even get me started on my other grandma, she still does sports.

[wheelie-sick]

since you’ve mentioned it, do you have tips for doing black bloc if you need mobility aids? (mine have stickers on them which worries me)

in terms of stickers, I have no experience covering stickers on canes crutches or rollators. my best guess at covering them (and what I considered a while back) would be to sew a cover over them.

in terms of stickers on wheelchairs, I have a ton on my backrest and I usually take a black t shirt, slip it over my backrest, and use that to cover the stickers.

in terms of the bloc there are a couple of ways to approach things. your goal is to have other people of your body type at a protest, even if it's just one or two other people. your mobility aids are a body type and they're the body type they'll primarily be tracking you with.

the easiest way is to just recruit other disabled people who use the same mobility aids as you.

if you can't do that for whatever reason (like me, I'm in this position) get your AG mobility aids. I pass off my old crutches (main mobility aid I use at protests) to members of my AG because even though they're a different style it means there's someone else in the bloc that has the same body type as me. it has worked extremely well. it has worked even with different types of mobility aids entirely (I was using one mobility aid, member of the AG was using a completely different one, we got mixed up lmao) you can also add additional confusion by having the ablebodied members of the AG pass off the mobility aid at different points.

that's pretty much all I've got for advice. I'm still figuring this out myself, these are just the tactics I've been taught by people who have worked with disabled activists in the past combined with tactics I've been experimenting with. unfortunately as disabled people we are very alone in activism and don't have many people who can pass on information. it's a lot of trial and error. I hope you find something that works well for you 💕💕

[goldkirk]

Places I’ve successfully used my rollator so far

• some of the sidewalks, not all, and they’re usually not equal quality on both sides of the street if sidewalks even exist on a street at all

• Target (except the numbers inside the elevator don’t at all match the numbers of the floors in the shopping center? They’re off by like 3 in any direction? So that went wrong the first couple of times, and it wasn’t just me who hit the wrong floor lol). I was able to get everywhere but some areas were tight maneuvering and I caught my wheels on edges. Idk how people get through those spots on the borrow-able scooters that are wide and long

• QFC. No notes. Zero issues using the rollator there or in its parking lot. Thanks QFC

• the construction zone detour, which led through some spots with no curb cuts and also narrowed sidewalks in places due to fencing and equipment

• Barnes and Noble, which was fully accessible and had a surprisingly huge elevator (I assume for loading book carts and pallets from the shipment-receiving basement level or something)

• the creek walk outside the retirement community that’s wide and fully paved with even smooth concrete. Delightful except for that one guy who stared directly in my eyes for the whole seven seconds I walked into and out of his view from his living room (I assume?) window while I kept checking to see if he was in fact still staring me down. Like what do you think I’m doing that requires you to watch without even a break. Do you think I’m gonna rob you or something just because I’m doing something weird for my age dude

• the intersection by my apartment building. yeesh. Those crosswalks are bad on foot so it was an extra-rattle-y ride with the rollator (but less work thab crossing without it!)

Places I need to try using it still

• the Light Rail, I just am waiting till I need to use it to run an errand next

• the bus system, I already need to run an errand via it but I cannot for the life of me find an answer to what you’re supposed to do if you’re not specifically in a wheelchair but you’re using a wheeled device that’s bigger than a tiny wire mesh rolling shopping bin. So at this point I’m just hoping and praying for a minimally full bus when I do go and a bus driver who can tell me if I need to strap it in or fold it or just hold it or what. Like it’s not a wheelchair or a baby stroller. What are the rules. What is the expectation. I have searched websites and YouTube and Reddit and tumblr and I still haven’t found an answer 🥴.

• Eliott Bay Book Company. This place has internet sites saying it’s wheelchair accessible. I’m confused. I haven’t seen an elevator in it and there’s steps to get in and steps to get up to the second floor and the aisles seemed like some of the corners might be hard, and impossible when it’s crowded. I have doubts. I’d love to find a secret elevator or something but I can’t find the information anywhere on their actual website or Yelp or whatever, it just says “accessible” sooo?

• Parks. I need to figure out which parks are passable with a rollator and which trails or paths are too narrow for it.

• the library. I know it’s accessible already, so it should be simpler than many places. they’re still dealing with that ransomware attack though so I’m not using them frequently aside from though Libby rn

• Pike Place Market. Internet says it’s accessible. my personal experience says I’m willing to be surprised and I’ll be happy if I do see full accessibility. But also that I’ve had a hard time navigating that place when it’s not like, empty, just on two feet soooooo. I’m guessing it’s going to be very hit or miss despite there being some elevators just because of tight areas and weird floor changes and stuff. I do hope I’m pleasantly shocked though when I go!

• the craft store. any craft store. I need yarn and I haven’t been able to make my mind up about it so I need to just go in a store and physically experience the yarn skeins and choose. I don’t expect to have issues there but it might be an adventure in terms of bussing and walking over lol, we’ll see

[hrhthebirthdayprincess]

Hey :) can I ask what brand of hiking poles you use? I mentioned them in my tags on the recent mobility aid post and then saw you use them. I had a quick look on your blog but couldn't see the answer. I'm not sure what the difference is between €10 ones and €100 ones

Thank you for asking, I love talking about my hiking poles! My two pairs are Black Diamond brand, one telescoping and the other Z fold which is more compact to leave in the vehicle in case I did not bring poles and needed them after all. They were purchased online so what the store had at the time, and most importantly what I could get in purple. Mine are on the expensive end but have been sturdy and comfortable to hold. Trying them out in person at a sports store would be really good information for your decision.

From a Reddit thread I found the cheaper brands are still pretty good and might make a better place to start to find out if they help you. There is also a lot of information at PolesForMobility.com which is where I learned about the concept after seeing a listing for a Poles for Mobility class in a local activities guide here in California.

I'm guessing poles are available used online or at yard sales when some people find they are more a fuss to carry than they benefit from when hiking. In my case they helped immensely before I got my Richie brace to stabilize my foot. Originally I got them to keep from falling whenever my ankle turned regularly but also benefitted from the shift of some weight from my legs to arms whenever I was walking in pain.

Nobody has ever been weird about me using them in the mall and everywhere else indoors. Interestingly, being both autistic and anxious I noticed having the poles (or rollator) to focus on made me less likely to be stressed by my surroundings which was a nice surprise benefit. Other thoughts, adding accessory rubber ends to prevent floor scratching is a must if you only have ice tips on the poles.

Learning to use the hand strap to lightly swing the pole forward rather than grip it makes walking with them far more pleasant. I see people walking around stabbing the ground as they walk with the poles tight in their fists and that looks pretty jarring.

I'm happy to answer any other questions you or anybody may have. I really do love my mobility aids.

[makeroomforthejolyghost]

AND I'M NOT SAYINg products aren't necessary!! my entire wardrobe is different now than when i was healthy. i rely on compression socks. i love my ankle brace. i own four different canes, a rollator, and a wheelchair (...which last i can't use anymore because i bought a shitty heavy cheap one before my shoulders got bad. alas). i like bloom farms' cbd sport stick. in 2016 when i bought the wheelchair i remember i figured this signaled my transition from Anger into Bargaining; for a long time after that, i still kind of assumed The Time For Buying Products was early on, and that later purchases would have diminishing returns as my desire to validate my wish to Do Something About It outpaced my ability to think clearly about what would help me. i now have doubts about this assessment, not only because symptoms change over time (i didn’t need an ankle brace until last year), but also because… it can actually take a while to see clearly whether something would help you? i didn’t even try compression socks until 2018, by which point i’d known for years that many people recommend them for pots, because most patients whose reviews of them i read seemed unenthused. they helped a little, but they were expensive and sweaty and hard to get on. most people (which i appreciated) emphasized Dietary Changes (more salt, more water, less sugar, eat more often and less at a time, &c.) and implied products like compression socks were more like Extras. so it… took me years to decide i deserved them. and all their criticisms are fair, especially the expense; when i tried cheap ones they did nothing for me, and i can see concluding after that that it’s not worth risking more money if you don’t, uh. have a generous mother who’s excited by the prospect of buying you a medical device that looks like a fashion item. now i can’t stand to wear any socks but these, whiiiich cost 42 bucks a pair. but they’re wonderful!! they don’t help as much as the dietary changes, nor even as much as my two medications, but like… you know what i didn’t even realize about pots until compression socks took it away? even aside from the knowledge it portends dizziness, blood pooling in your feet feels horrible. it aches! your legs feel heavy and weird! they’re always either hot or cold! sometimes your ankles itch maddeningly! at the end of the day you take your (non-compression) socks off and your feet are purple with orange spots, and so swollen that you can’t see the bones in your ankle, your toes look like sausages, and your calves have deep pock marks from the stitching in the socks. for me, compression socks only relieve dizziness by maybe 10%, but they take the swelling away almost completely, and it now takes several minutes of standing still for my legs to feel itchy and heavy and weird instead of only a few seconds. so like: products can be amazing, and, sometimes you do sell yourself short (…wur hur) by refusing to try them, even if you doubt they’ll help much. they themselves are not the problem. what i’m complaining about is the thing where you feel like all you can possibly do to feel better is Buy Something and Hope It Helps. you can’t usually sample this stuff without buying (even before covid); mobility aids yes but not socks or ice packs or cbd balm or hypoallergenic sunscreen or gatorade substitute #3. and there’s something really—god, this is ridiculous, but sometimes i feel irresponsible if my eyes start glazing over when i read these articles? i feel all this pressure to Try Everything, but then if i buy something and don’t like it i’m ashamed of that too. my brain has a hard time differentiating between “this particular product doesn’t help me” and “turns out you didn’t need anything new after all, you big whiner. now everyone who saw you try that thing or heard you talking about it is worried about you over nothing. don’t you feel silly!”

...3/4, i guess

[theatreofthelivingmind]

These were the prescription orthotics I had made once I was diagnosed in 2014 with a lifelong disability.

These orthotics were on version 3. Each version had different moving parts, as well as a ramping up of medications and accommodations that went with having a diagnosis.

The orthotics should of helped with balance and strength. There were options to have them adjusted if they were causing any discomfort.

The orthotics made me a moving accessibility experiment in my day to day work. When I was finally diagnosed with a lifelong disabilty of cerebral palsy at age 36, after living a life of trying to fit in with a society which only accepts able bodied cishets, I was asking, pleading, I need a disability diagnosis. I need a wheelchair ♿.

No wheelchair for the 36 year old me, but the orthotics. The orthotics, on putting them on, cause my pain level to go to 3 out of 10. On walking around in the orthotics, my cerebral palsy was aggravated, causing muscle spasms. My pain level would go to 7 out of 10 at unexpected intervals daily.

Physical therapy was mentioned as treatment for both the muscle spasms, as well as anxiety and depression. The physical therapy, made things worse. I would pass out in my car and wake up to my body locked up by muscle spasms.

How bad were the muscle spasms? I had to ask, what is the difference between a seizure and a muscle spasms, as mine were so debilitating. One muscle spasms was so strong it dislocated my left hip. Luckily popped back into place.

I wore the orthotics to several jobs, more than likely fired from a few jobs for having symptoms on the job. If anything is off in my medication or sleep cycle, I try to self care and isolate, but the demands of a nuerotypical cishet 40 year old make things difficult.

I never got used to the orthotics and I stopped wearing them in 2020 once the pandemic hit. Still no wheelchair, I was asking this whole time. I did get two surgeries, which help with the chronic pain. I asked if I had to keep wearing the orthotics, at least the doctor said no.

So to get around, I use a rollator or a cane. I'm still regularly exhausted, still want a wheel chair. I guess I'm hoping for a wheelchair prescription,or a wheelchair fundraiser but I'm so used to getting shot down, I'm going with a cane or rollator. I still need to work close to full time, and in my downtime I mostly sleep, try to recover. Loosing a job would mean loosing Healthcare, hrt, so I'm desperately trying to hold onto the little bit of comfort I have, work to hold onto health care, and just try to be ok.

I'm on antidepressants, and i asked myself, what's the justification for the anti depressants? I just spent the last 8 years in mental and physical pain. It's OK to have antidepressants for a bit.

[optimizedfamily]

2019’s Best 3 Wheel Walkers Reviewed

No one wants to be dependent on a walker - or at least no one that I know.  But if that time has come, how does the saying go, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em?”  The loss of adequate mobility can lead to loss of independence.  But for some, there's another adage that rings true.  "It ain’t over till it’s over.”

The trick is finding a walker that works best for you - one that will help you retain as much mobility and independence as possible. 

How I Discovered 3 Wheel Walkers

I've got to admit; I knew absolutely nothing about walkers until my dad could no longer get around without one.  The day had come that the larger than life "He-Man" who boxed in the Navy and featured in the newspaper for heroically lifting a car off a fellow employee on the General Motors assembly line was unable to walk without help.  He had fallen several times, and even he knew that one fall too many could be the one to take his independence entirely.  It was time to shop around.

I read up on traditional style walkers but couldn't picture my dad using one.  He does not make a good patient.  He makes a terrible one.  I knew I had to come up with something a little edgier, one that would let him get around more quickly than most.  Thankfully, I stumbled across the miraculous three wheel walker!

What Exactly are 3 Wheel Walkers?

Walkers are devices that aid a person's mobility by offering support.  Some have wheels and referred to as rollators.  There are walkers with seats, Euro walkers, 4 wheel walkers and...3 wheel walkers.

Three wheel walkers are triangular.  They have three wheels, one in the front and two in the rear.  Generally, the walkers come with hand brakes and sometimes even have extra features, like a basket to carry your belongings in. 

Positive Points

I discovered a ton of benefits the three wheel walker has to offer folks, like my dad, who want to retain as much independence as possible but at the same time, need a little help in doing so.  To me, they are the sports car of the walker world.  Here are some of the perks they bring to the showroom floor:

Three wheel walkers fit through narrow openings.

They are usually lighter weight than traditional walkers are.

Because of their triangular shape, they are easier to maneuver. 

Most three wheel walkers are more manageable to guide than regular walkers.

They go faster.

They zip around corners.

The majority of 3 wheel walkers are compact - a cinch to transport and store.

Let’s face it...3 wheel walkers are just cooler than traditional ones!

Best 3 Wheel Walkers

Three-wheel walkers come in all shapes, sizes, and styles.  They can be constructed out of all different materials and even come in different colors.  In addition, many accommodate other needs you may have due to your circumstance or disability.  With quality, craftsmanship, and special features in mind, the following three wheel walkers are ones that I found to be a step above the rest:

Drive Medical Winnie Lite Supreme Three Wheel Rollator 

- If you are looking for an ultra-lightweight three wheel walker that can get you from point A to point B with ease, this model does the trick.  It's a no-frills device that is very affordable.  It's constructed of aluminum, so it weighs practically nothing but is super durable.  The handles adjust the height from 32-38”.  The tires are soft-grip which makes them perfect and practical for use both indoor and outdoors.  The casters are 7.5", and there's a special loop lock that makes the device glide.  The brakes are adjustable.  This walker is only 26" wide so that it can fit through most openings.  When you are done for the day, push the hinge, and it folds right up for compact storing.

Drive Medical 3 Wheel Rollator in Flame Red​

If you were the one who had to have the red sports car, you’ll love this model by one of the best makers in the bunch, Drive Medical.  And yes, you guessed right this is the one my dad just had to have (probably because it was red).  There are some great features this three-wheeler has like its one-handed folding ability, lightweight aluminum construction, and lock knob for times you want it not to budge.  The casters are 7.5" which are ideal for indoor and outdoor use.  This device is just 24" in length and 25" wide, so it easily goes through most openings.  The handle height is adjustable, 31"-38".  This walker supports 300 pounds which was great for a big man like my dad.  You even get a basket, pouch, and tray with this model.

Carex 3 Wheel Walker for Seniors

This model has 7” wheels for getting around inside and outside too.  It is lightweight and easily folds so you can take it with you wherever you go and store it when you are through.  What I like about the Carex is that it gets in and out of tight spaces and can cut around people in the grocery store aisle too.  The wheels have locking brakes for safety, the height is fully adjustable, and it comes with a large storage bag with a spot for ID cards and your cell phone too.  This is one of the most popular three-wheel rollators on the market and with good reason.  

Nova Traveler 3 Wheel All Terrain Walker​

​The Traveler is built to do precisely that, to travel!  It is a superb device for getting around in rough terrain like you might run across outside such as loose gravel, dirt, grass, rocky ground, and practically any other type of territory you might need or want to walk across.  The rubber wheels are a whopping 8" which allows to go over rough terrain more easily.  The paint and overall construction seems like it’s very high quality.  Nova is known for being top notch.  You'll get a zippered storage pouch, a basket, and even a handy tray with this model.  There is a locking parking brake and adjustable handles too.  This walker is 24" wide so that it can squeeze through super small openings.  Nova backs this product up with a lifetime limited warranty.

Healthline 3 Wheel Lightweight Walker​

​If you need a super lightweight three-wheel walker, this one certainly fits the bill.  It weighs in at only 13 pounds.  Amazingly, it supports up to 300 pounds though.  Being only 24" wide means, it can squeeze through tiny spaces.  The handle height is adjustable, and it has brakes that are easy to grip.  It also comes complete with a wire basket for storage, a safety tray that conveniently goes on the basket that can be lifted or placed back down, and a tote bag too.  This model folds and unfolds easily so you can take it anywhere, even if you are traveling on the bus or in a small car.  It is available in a stylish blue.

3 Wheel Foldable Walker with Shopping Cart

​This walker is lightweight, and it quickly collapses to transport and to store.  It seems like the easy-glide wheels help make it move smoothly. If you are a shopper, this model is ideal and even comes with a large storage basket to put your goodies in.  There's a convenient slot for your ID cards too.  The wheels are 7" which is a nice size.  When you want to stop to grab something off the shelf or for whatever reason, you can lock the wheels into place, or you can use the hand brakes.  Corners are simple to turn with this 3 wheeler.  And one of the best things about this jewel of a walker is that you won’t need any tools to assemble it. 

If you still haven’t found a 3 wheel walker that fits your needs, keep looking.  You are sure to fall in love with one somewhere down the line.

Some Add-Ons

Why not “trick your walker out" as the kids say?  Once Dad got over his stubborn pride and got into his "3 wheeler", as well called it, I can honestly say he made the best of it.  The family got into the spirit too.  We gifted him add-ons for his birthday, Christmas, and sometimes "just because."  Here are some great items you can add on to your three wheel walker:

Drive Medical Universal Cup Holder

You’ll need a refreshing drink to take along on your walk, so you’ll need a spot to slip it in to keep your hands free.  This cup holder fits many sizes of cups, glasses, and bottles and should fit onto most walkers too.  It even swivels for convenience. 

Tote for 3 Wheel Walkers

You definitely can take it with you when you go!  This convenient carry tote pouch has a good bit of room so you can take your belongings with you.  It folds into a 14” wide pouch and folds back up to be under an inch wide.

Walker Basket

You will need your hands to guide your walker and to help stabilize yourself, so you'll want a place to put shopping bags, your picnic lunch, or whatever else you want to take along with you.  There are a multitude of walker baskets to choose from, but this one happens to be my favorite. This particular basket is for the Winnie Deluxe model, but it will fit many other three wheel walkers too.  It is lightweight, yet sturdy, and holds quite a bit.

How Do You Roll?

Not ready to give up your independence yet?  Neither was my dad.  But when he finally came to grips with the fact that giving up a portion of his independence beat falling and possibly losing it all, he conceded to use a walker.  Not just any walker would do, however.  He had to level up.  Maybe you are in the same situation. 

I am not even sixty yet and am having to face the fact that I have a medical condition that causes me to limp and easily lose my footing. It’s called Myelopathy, a complication of Spinal Stenosis.  Since I inherited my dad’s willful, independent spirit, I can tell you that when the day comes and I too am forced to depend on a walker, it won’t be any walker.  “No sirree bobtails!" as Dad would say.  I'll be behind the helm of a three-wheeler because that's how I roll.  How about you?