For me it was another thing to have to get used to, a big thing, especially the manual wheelchair. I still *hate* having to be pushed around. I hate it! Whenever my mom took me to the shopping center in the manual chair (a few times a year), I had to be careful not to stare at young women and women my age who just walked wherever they wanted to walk, who were healthy and going about their lives. It was depressing! I can't and couldn't not do it.

So when I discovered the electric scooter, it was an entirely different feeling. I felt so free using it! It could take me wherever *I* wanted to go (well, at least to accessible places, but that's a whole other problem). My scooter was a fast one, and could be as fast as a bike at normal speed. I could use it at walking pace and biking speed. That's how I made "my walks" and did "my bike riding". It's how I interacted socially. That and my PC are my links to the world! I hope the new one gets approved...

Without the scooter, I have to depend on other people to get me places and even that's not easy with the wheelchair that has to be brought along and with there being far less room in the car for the groceries (so annoying). I still get grocery shopped for.

On top of that, I have great difficulty being in cars, because of my accident, I guess. I get fearful just being in the car and watching the traffic around me. I only trust a handful of people to drive.

If you guys have a chance to try out an electric scooter, just do it. The scooter is the only thing that can make me feel that my legs have been replaced to some extent, and it's a great feeling to have, it lessens the awful, desperate feelings I have as a result of having a disability a great deal. It helps me cope.