Hi - a wheelchair is very helpful - I use cane/walker/or hang on to walls inside but absolutely need more help when try to go out... I have a manual chair and an electric "scooter" chair - both of which help tremendously when I go anywhere...

My insurance at the time paid only for a manual chair because their reglations require to qualify for electric you cannot ambulate at all (I'll bet if you cant use your hands that may help qualify)... even thogh I am not short I am thin - and goal was to get a chair that was small, very light, and would fold up and be able to be thrown into a car in a minute - my insurance sent out a company to fit just one like this for me - its very very, manuverable, and thin, so dont need extra wide doors, etc.... and keeps me from falling on my head - which I do way too often...

I got an electric scooter on my own about 4 years ago because I found trying to get any distance at all on the street extremely difficult cause of asphalt, etc... so got a tiny 3 wheel scooter that comes apart if necessary and I can at least get around the neighborhood - its very handy - and again - no falling.... this I had to buy on my own....

To me size was important - smaller the better - but - if you get a scooter type electric chair - be sure that it is big enough for you - if its not one could easily tip over (I used to ride motorcycles so that helps me think about center of balance and not tip - since I've got to think about keeping balance low)... also nice to have some kind of basket to put "stuff" in.....

Also, on the manual chair, since I think it was really made for kids - they included a cushion that accomodates longer legs, and its a perfect fit - that can make a huge difference...

Also, with both - I use them just like I did when riding bikes - make sure to catch peoples eyes in cars crossing streets, etc... they arent looking for wheelchairs and wont "see" you....

Good luck with this!