very cool indeed Twink! It reminds me of what I have done on occasion with my right leg at the store, throw it up on the bottom rack and push off with the left leg! lol and thanks to the others for your suggestions!

my papa has a really nifty walking stick, I think I'm going to go dig thru the mess and try to find it. lol.

If you do ever get a rollator be certain that you try them out in the store on a hard floor. Some of the cheaper ones have like plastic wheels and they certainly can make a person go all over the place. At least that is what happens to me and maybe not to others. It's because of some of my muscles in my lower legs being atrophied and so that affects my balance along with my feet being affected. I cannot build up the diseased muscles. And yes the rollators have brakes but you can't be on them all of the time.

The hand grips are another thing. Are they smooth to operate and are the brakes easy to use and when locking the brakes does it go nicely. Are the hand grips just plastic as well and not that comfortable. Is the seat like a covered board or does it have padding. All things to consider.

I know the one I will get when it goes on sale. It is at a medical supply store and I knew it a year ago and should have gotten it then. It has the 6" wheels but they also are made of like a rubber material and they are a little wider than others. They are like maybe 2" wide vs 1" wide. I tried it on a hard floor as well as the carpeted area. Because when you go to most stores to shop, the floor isn't carpeted. This would also be true for me on a sidewalk, concrete, paved area, etc. This one did not want to get away from me like the others. It also has a seat cover with extra padding on it.

They fit you for them at the medical supply store as well. At least at the place I found it. Just try one out at the store and see if it might work for you. Some stores like WalMart will not even let you take it out of the box. We opened the box and checked the wheels and they were plastic. At Walgreens they did take it out of the box and I tried it. Plastic wheels and it went faster than their shopping cart. And I didn't even need brakes on their shopping cart The hand grips were not comfortable and the locking brakes were harder to operate as well. The seat was like a covered board and not really very wide. Just cheaper stuff. Cheaper yes at both of these stores, but not for me.

I am just sharing what will work for me and what will not.

I saw this at a medical supply store. It would never work for me as my balance is not that good due to some of my muscles being atrophied. But they sure would be great if a person could use it. You could always try one out at the store where they sell them and see if it would work for you.

Afterthought Where do you put your things you want to buy.

good advice. I got mine at Costco. It is a Hugo. I did not even realize there were rollators with plastic wheels. Costco sells a different brand now but DH said he saw the Hugo brand at Sam's Club.

Then again, I do not know if either Costco or Sam's Club is in your area.

I like the padded seat and compartment under the seat. It allows me to put my purse and bottled water inside.

My Hugo is pretty beat up now. I am looking to go to a medical supply store for one to use exclusively inside the house to keep the dirt level at a minimum on the carpeted bedroom.

Plus, skinnier is better in the house.

But Kitt, good advice.

i feel that the most important goal is for you to be safe.
if that means using a cane then that's what you should do. and i'd encourage you to tell your dr. he should know about your falls.

i once asked my dad, "when should i buy tires". his response was "when you need them". your situation kind of reminds me of that.

you can go into a medical supply store and try out the various canes. plus there's a particular way to use a cane depending on which leg is bad. i mainly use mine for balance. but i also use a rollator (a walker with a seat) if i were to go into a store (like walgreens). if i'm going into a real store like macy's i would need to take my scooter.

it's not giving in to MS when you decide to use any assistive device. i felt that way too at first. then i realized that anything that conserved my energy so i could do other things was just...necessary. like when i first got a handicapped sticker. i also use a scooter in the grocery store. that way i have enuf energy to come home and put things away.

as you learn to listen to your body you'll figure out what things you need that can help you. and ps...on the rocks. i'd try to fix anything that is a falling risk. perhaps on a small spot you could do just dirt. start thinking about any risk to fall scenario in your home, like rugs. sorry this turned out to be long.

The particular rollator I have settled on after trying others in the stores is narrow enough for doorways in the house. No problem there. It is a good one. For me anyway. It does have the compartment under the seat as you say as well as a decent sized basket in the front part and all the other things I mentioned. It is a Sprite. The breaking system is also guaranteed for five years. So I guess that's a plus if one uses one for five years and does have problems. Like my husband said, probably most people do not use one for five years. IDK

The really big thing, among other things, that sold me is the rubber looking wheels which are just a tad wider. Plastic would not be for me. Thanks Aarcyn.

Hi Anya!

I have falls like you described in the first post here. Like you, I'm learning to laugh when they happen. What else can you do anymore??? It is the best method to deal when they happen. It is hard at times and embarrassing too. Your boyfriend is a really sweet guy. You know he is definitely a keeper!!

Hang in there. Thinking of you!!

Hugs

Coffeegirl

I've never heard of a kneescooter before!! Thanks for posting Twink! Pretty cool if you're able to use one. My course of MS damaged my balance center right off the bat so have had to use more "sturdy" devices that held me up. I really hate that feeling, bleh.....kind of feel carsick with any movement.....in the car......YUCK!!!

Do what ever you need to do to remain safe. Rehab from an injury can be difficult for a healthy person, it can be even more challenging for a person with MS.

Now I try to look at the assistive devices as a good thing. It was hard at first. I am in my mid 40's. I did resist getting a cane at first and when I did, so understand that its a hard thing for us to wrap our heads around and having this is no fun. But...

If someone was unable to see well, would they wonder if it were time for glassed or contacts?

I agree with the others that the doc should guide you with whatever will be the best for you.

I know that I resisted getting a wheelchair when traveling through airports, I was stubborn and gimped along with my cane, totally exhausting myself. Now its just a matter of course for me to use a chair in the airport.

good luck with your process!!