[QUOTE=jackie66;549102]Consider this--- You say your spine has problems, and you are awaiting an MRI scan. Holding the handlebars on a scooter puts load on your spine. QUOTE]

Hi Jackie,

I think I just called it the wrong name. I meant a powered chair you sit on, and kind of looks like a vespa!
At the shopping centres they hire out these scooter chair things - mainly for the elderly.
So what I meant was I'd be sitting down with no pressure on anything except my butt.

[QUOTE=Freesia38;549317]Yes. that is the type I was meaning. You would be amazed at the load put on your back whilst steering. I am more aware of this since my whole back is paralysed both motor and sensory. Your butt is taking a constant load whilst your arms are taking an intermittant load that is pushing on your upper torso.

I have n Invacare TDX - Spree and after 2 tries, got a seat and footrest my body likes and can do the most with, The first, a gel, concave seat, I called the toilet seat held me down and the elevated swingaway footrests furthered this. My self toileting days looked bad. Man, it was really wrong , and despite a set-up perhaps intended for someone who had lost much and had to be PUT in a seat and was bigger, it made my leg (upper thigh to knee) ache, my sciatica worse, etc. Hated it. My butt is still small enough so sinking in that seat was WAY down. Now I have a more upright seat, foam, air (seat adjust with air valve that inflates and deflates by self - $$$$$$ but I got free - man, I am a squeaky wheel- and some gel where tail bone is, flip up horizontal foot plate had much less pain, mobility,can self-toilet with less problem, etc. Oh, and discovered toilets come in heights, being short could not fully touch floor, insisted we junk new pretty on for 3 inch shorter one (used in Elementary school bathrooms - man, I am short (5' 3/4") but feisty) - New toilet's seat was wrong, paid for new wood Beamis. ( Being Handicapped is expensive but what a difference (though DH thinks me a Princess and a Pee!!!!!!!!!) . My point - fight for what is right (for you) We are all different.

If we have scooters to rent in the mall, I am not aware of them.

Since I walk but just 100 feet would be exhausting, I convinced my MS doctor to give me a prescription for an electric mobility device - either a scooter or a chair. The object was to get insurance to cover some of the cost.

DH and I were investigating one that would break apart into pieces so that it could be put in a car or trunk of a car.

There were several to choose from. We went to a mobility store to look at both and see how easy it was to break apart and if it would fit in our vehicle. Plus we were interested as to whether I could put it together which would give me more independence.

Both were doable. We picked the chair, only because the footprint was smaller. I never was really able to put it together, it was just too much work for me, wore me out. However, my DH and DD can put it together in about one minute or so.

It allows me to get out a lot. Goes for 8 miles on the battery but if I take my plug in cord, I just use electricity from a restaurant and have a eating break.

I'm in Melbourne, Aust, so maybe each shopping centre is different, but at most centres here I think they hire scooters, or it might just be my local one.

Some of our malls do, and some of the stores do. It's hit and miss in Ohio. Ususally, if it's a bigger store - especially grocery stores - there are a couple of scooters. But still, you can't count on one being available. And you can't count on them being charged.

Just my 2 cents...

the justification on mobility aid is not tied to a "diagnosis" but instead is dependent on needs. In other words, if you can't walk unassisted for X feet/minutes you need (and qualifiy if your medica records have notes about it) a set of crutches/walker/wheelchair/powerchair etc.

Heck, even Medicare uses this justification. For example my neuro documents I have ataxia (balance) and endurance limitations. My right hand is fused in a few joints, blah blah blah. I was approved for a K0005 level chair with no problem and am only highly probable MS. The main point is that they are interested in what you can do, what you cannot do and (more importantly) what you can do again if you have equipment X, Y or Z. Its all about Atvities of Daily Living

If you need it just tell your doctor. Most are usually happy to document the need so that you can get what you need. Good Luck and chin up!