Sometimes we feel embarrassed about using them in public, especially after we notice that piercing stare from strangers. I’ve learned to like my walking aids. But I also went through that phase of feeling embarrassed, so you’re not alone. It’s part of adjusting to the new you. I see my walking aids as my new friends that help me move around and gave me back my independence. The cooler I dress and act while using them, the less people pay attention to them. It’s all about the attitude.
My favorite walker must be the rollator walker. The rollator walker comes with a seat and an under-seat bag to store or carry your items. The brand Drive has many options available for all budgets. My next one will be the Drive Nitro Duet Dual Function Transport Wheelchair and Rollator Walker. It’s a walker and a wheelchair, all in one. A little bit pricey, but in my opinion, all worth it.
I have a Pride compact scooter, ideal for going to the parks just because it’s very comfortable and the battery lasts all day long. It’s also pretty fast, and I love speed. But when I travel, I take my Atto folding scooter. It folds into a suitcase, and it’s airline-approved. It’s 85 pounds, so it’s not that light, but it separates in two parts, making it easier to handle and transport. What I like the most is that it has a long-lasting lithium battery that weighs less than 5 pounds and it’s easy to remove.
Speaking of my KAFO, my best friend of all, has changed my life forever. This knee, ankle, and foot orthosis is so well manufactured. It’s custom made for me, based on my current gait, considering all the components involved in the mechanism of my leg movement, and not just keeping my foot up. Therefore, this is a piece with a “dynamic” effect that allows range of motion of my ankle, as opposed to a standard AFO that restricts movement, causing atrophy.
When it comes to my canes, I like them fashionable. I have them in different colors and with different designs. One of my favorite ones is covered in sunflowers. Self-standing and foldable canes is the way to go. They’re not only safer but easier to carry. The foldable ones can be easily stored in your purse or in the under-seat bag of your walker.
If you’re local to the state of Florida and live with a disability, know that there’s a nonprofit organization called FAAST (Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology) that provides an assistive technology program that includes loans, device demonstrations and reutilization, trainings, information and assistance, and a statewide financing program. You can find more information about their services and programs on their website. I used their loan service to finance some of the cost of my Bioness, and I had a great experience. They were very helpful and made the process very simple.
Living with a disability is very challenging, especially if you live by yourself or you don’t have a support network. MS can be so deteriorating, causing major physical changes and disabilities, complicating our daily lives. Getting chores done, working, moving around, preparing meals, and grooming with safety seems nearly impossible without some sort of assistance.
There´s an array of assistive technology available for every need. There are also many programs that can facilitate acquiring them. You can find the Guide to Medical and Assistive Equipment Resources on the National MS Society’s website.
All I know is that without my assistive devices, my life would be lot harder and more boring. I came to terms with my new condition because I deserve quality of life, and so do the ones around me. I need help to do certain things, and I own that. Understanding this took time, but once I accepted it, everything changed for the better.
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Photo Credit: Gerardo G. Mourín / Moment Open via Getty Images
