Hi Freesia,

I'm sorry to hear that your trip to the stores was so hard for you!

I totally understand the feeling of you not wanting to get a mobility scooter to use in the stores. I was like that when I fell ill too and made myself worse by trying to walk - stupid, I know!!! Eventually, it got to the point where I had not choice but to use a wheelchair full time. My Doctor did a procedure on me (nerve block) to try and dull some of the pain in my foot and I had pretty bad complications from it that meant I had to use a wheelchair full time. The block took me off my feet complenty and I lost all co-ordination in my legs.

I HATED the fact that I had to use a wheelchair and I became pretty Depressed. I was only 12 years old at the time and got very self conscious. I hated going out in public as I would often get nasty comments from my so-called "friends" and thought everyone would be looking at me ... they probably weren't but thats how it felt.

It took a while for me to accept that I had no choice but to use the wheelchair. I don't think I ever come to terms with the fact but deep down, I knew I couldn't do anything about it and that it wasn't my fault. Whenever I tried to walk, I fell straight to the floor and had to have my mum carry me everywhere so the wheelchair was the only option.

After going under an intense Physiotherapy course (PT), I am now able to walk short distances. I am still unstable at times but it makes such a huge different just to be able to walk a little !!

Just a thought, have you ever considered using a cane? My PTs suggested using one of those before I lost the co-ordination in my leg fully but my doctor said that crutches would be better for me. They are quite stable so should help you and might make you feel a little better than having to use a scooter??

I totally understand how you are nervous about getting a scooter but you have to think about yourself! Theres no point in trying to make life harder for yourself just by trying to walk! It doesn't mean that you are giving in and I think it shows that you are putting yourself first as long as you remember to try and move as much as possible!!

I wish you the best of luck in getting a diagnosis - I know how stressful it can be. If you ever want to talk to someone who can relate to what you're going through, please feel free to PM me!