[SallyC]

I'm having one of those, it's heck to be home alone, when you have MS, days. Scooter #1 decided to quit charging... DD came over and brought in my larger scooter#2 and put it on it's charger. All is well....Not!

I wake up from my much needed nap, having to go to potty, badly and scoot #2 had not charged. Charge light wasn't even on. I switch plugs, mess with wires and charger light comes on....yeaaaa....not....still doesn't seem to be charging.

I, very carefully and gingerly, as not to fall on ****, get to scoot #1, that has just enough charge to get me to the bathroom. That was 4 hrs ago and I have to piddle again.

I hate not being able to, at least, walk to the bathroom. It's not fun growing older, with MS, for sure. And having to depend on others for personal stuff, is the pits.

How do you all handle being alone with MS disability? Who do you call? What do you do?

[Erin524]

Is it the outlet, or could it be the charging cords that's acting funky?

Does the outlet have a GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) switch on it? It's a little button between the upper outlet and the lower outlet. If the button is sticking out, the GFI might have been tripped. (we done that by accidentally bumping the test button for the GFI) Just push the button back and that should reset the GFI.

If it's the cord, you might have to get a new cord. A friend of mine used to work for The Scooter Store. She told me once that you can use the power cord to a laptop, or a newer sewing machine as long as the ends match. (but dont quote me on that, call the people you got the scooter from and ask)

[gonnamakeit]

Originally Posted by SallyC

How do you all handle being alone with MS disability? Who do you call? What do you do?

I have the Life Line system which costs $53.00 per month. It is a necklace that I wear around my neck and if I need help, all I have to do is press the button and within a minute someone calls me and asks if I need help.

The system uses a special speaker phone tied to Life Line and not a regular phone, so a person just talks loud and is heard on the other end.

The first person on my list for them to call is my son, then my father and then the 911 people.

I feel very safe with this system because it can be used for anything from health problems to intruders to anything that is causing a problem. Help is very fast.

There is a lockbox with the key to my door on my front door so that the firemen or police can get in without breaking it down or breaking out a window.

Don't know what I am going to do when I get sick and can't get out of bed, but probably will have my son sleep over so he can help me. He is not married and has no kids.

Your concerns are very real and are my concerns too. Sure is lousy getting old and being alone with this debilitating disease.


gmi

[Erin524]

Are those lifeline necklace thingies waterproof?? Like, if I got my mom one, can she wear it in the shower? (she doesnt have MS, just bad knees and bad back and not the greatest at walking anymore)

I've been thinking about talking to my dad about getting something like that for my mother, so that if I can manage to get back to school (as long as the MS trolls will let me go) I wont feel so bad about leaving her home for hours at a time alone.

[gonnamakeit]

Originally Posted by Erin524

Are those lifeline necklace thingies waterproof?? Like, if I got my mom one, can she wear it in the shower?

They are waterproof and come in either a necklace or bracelet. I had the bracelet and it just bugged me because it kept slipping around my wrist all day.

Now I wear the necklace and like it much better.

gmi

[gonnamakeit]

Sally,

Do you have a manual wheelchair or a walker? I only use my power chair when I go outside.

In the house I use my manual most of the time. In the kitchen I use the rollator so I can get some exercise.

At night, I have the rollator beside the bed and use it to get up in the morning. I immediately transfer into the manual chair and go to the bathroom.

Most of the day is spent pushing the rollator and sitting in the manual. That way I can "carry" things on the rollator and push it while sitting in the manual.

Hope you can get situated with your mechanical "legs". It is hard to be so dependent on others or on machines.

gmi

[pud's friend]

Awww, that sounds pants sal. I thank my lucky stars that I'm not in your situation.

[Dejibo]

you need to have your scooter fixed! My mother got the charger plug repaired in hers. My sister used to yank the cord out of the charger by the cord. it made the charger head lose. Also Medicare will pay for a NEW battery if yours is not charging anymore.

Till then, get a bucket, or pampers, or camp out in the bedroom. Make some noise, get some help.

Hugs for ya.

[Kitty]

Sally, does the MS Society in your area have a program where they repair scooters? Some charge based on income....some don't charge at all.

Sometimes the churches around here have programs where members will come to your home to fix things. Some of them have good knowledge of repairing specific things. I'm always leary of letting strangers into my home....even if they are from a church. I tend to not trust too many people regardless of where they are from.

I wish I lived closer to you. I'd come help you! Not sure how much actual help I'd be but we sure could have fun trying to figure it all out!

[SallyC]

Thanks Friends for the encouragement and hugs to all of you, for your woes, as well.

DD came today and got my big scooter out of the way, 'cause it's not working, and brought my manual up from the basement.

Remember, DD also has MS, but is in remission, as I was, at her age (39), so I don't know how long, she will be able to help.....I hope the LDN keeps working for her and she stays as stress free as possible. She's on Prozac too..LOL!

I will contact the appropriate worker/fixer tomorrow, for both scooters. What a PITA!!

I'm okie dokie for now, had some lunch and going to take a nap, soon..