They do have chairs like this http://www.scootermobility.com/Power...-12-4-1883.htm that you can use. No big control yoke in front of you. Just a little joystick on one side, with a nice arm rest.

This is probably something that I would use, since I get tendonitis (or is it spasticity?) in my shoulders that would make it uncomfortable for me to use the scooters with handlebars.

This is what I have been leaning towards getting.

When we bought my mom her latest scooter (she had knee replacements and has spinal stenois) I was looking at all the electric scooters and chairs too. Kind of "window shopping" just in case I should need one someday.

I kind of like the ones that are more chairs than scooters. I played around riding a couple. The scooter type seemed to have more control because you had handlebars.

The chair type felt like it would take a while to figure out the joystick controls, but the people at the pharmacy we were at, said that they're actually very easy to control. They also can tweak the controls for you so that the response is sensitive to your hand movements, or not so sensitive.

I hope I wont have to use one of those for a long time, but I'm already shopping around for the style I'd like to get if I ever have to use one. (I trip occasionally, so I might end up with one sooner than I want one) A friend of mine who paints cars has said that he'd decorate the cover that goes over the batteries for me whenever I do get one. (in a nice patriotic design)

If your husband doesnt think you need one, try explaining to him why you think you need one. I'd point out that if you're so tired from walking that you're falling down, that for safety sake, you need a scooter or walking aide of some sort. You might not hurt yourself everytime you fall down, but all you need to do is fall just the right (wrong?) way and you could seriously injure yourself.

Tell him that it would be safer, and easier for you to have some sort of walkaide, and then you'll be able to help him easier with the Magnificent Seven that you have running around.

I know one thing, your husband is going to be sorry if you fall and break a hip.
Did you know that women are more likely to break a hip in a fall than a man is? It has to do with how wide apart or pelvic bones are.
Good grief, if you need a scooter or a power chair then you should have one.
I don't want to be mean but, what if he were in your boat? Then how would he think. If you have a scooter, just think, he would not have to push you in a wheelchair if you can no longer walk.
I can't walk any where and I hate it, however, my husband pushes my transporter chair or he assembles my scooter and gets it out of the trunk of the car.
Good luck. I have fallen so many times that I would not want to see anyone have to break something in order to prove a point.

Spouses (husbands and wives) who don't respect the other's request for any kind of aid - whether a walk aid or just anything to make life easier - are, in my humble opinion, very insensitive.

I would never begin to tell someone else what they did or didn't need. If my husband were still alive I would hope to goodness that he would be understanding enough to realize that I KNOW WHAT I NEED.

Not trying to sound harsh here but good grief. We have enough to deal with just having this disease without having to explain ourselves to others when we need assistance.

OK - off my sopapbox and going to find the ice cream!

Dear Julie, I think I understand your dilemma.

I personally agree with your hubby. Please don't shoot the messenger!!

I think it's a tad early to be thinking scooters when you're still struggling for a diagnosis, and I do understand heaps of the *carp* that you've been going through.

My suggestion (for what it's worth) is to stick with the stroller for a little while longer. Put smallest DD's favourite dolly or teddy in there and push the stroller just the same. You can always bluff your way out of that one, but mostly people who look, just smile then look away.

You may need to tell DD that Mom wants to bring dolly, or teddy, along today (or whatever), but I'm sure you could get away with that story for a while anyway.

That would at least give you and DH breathing space, and more time to see what nasties your symptoms have in store for you.

I do wish you luck, and hope you get some answers soon.

I think it's high time for another baby.

Cherie

Are you going to come take care of it?

Why do you need a dx to need a scooter - or any walk aid for that matter? Lots of people are undiagnosed but need the extra help for balance or weakness.

Just wondering why you think she needs an official dx to need an aid? (asking nicely!!)

Sorry if I didn't express myself well Herekitty, but my reply was no way intended to say that without a diagnosis of some kind, Julie was "ineligible" to use a scooter.

I was thinking of that frightful expense of buying a scooter, whilst still struggling to get a diagnosis. Momx7 has been through a whole myriad of tests and examinations that may not always be covered by insurance, and with a family as well, often these tests can be a bit draining on the finances.

I was merely suggesting using the stroller as a way of putting off the purchase a bit longer if possible.

I used to use the shopping trolleys at the supermarket in exactly the same way before I got my rollator, but I understand that in your country scooters are sometimes available for hire. We don't have that option here.