WHAT IS AN AMBULATORY WHEELCHAIR USER? USING MOBILITY AIDS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS - LIFE OF PIPPA

I have ms (multiple sclerosis), spasticity, numbness and pain in both leg. I start to use a wheelchair to go shopping, it help me so much, I can enjoy the day, not just thinking "Damn It going to hurt like hell later..."

Some years ago, when I found myself moving around my home by holding onto the walls and furniture, I realized that it was time for a mobility aid. I did my homework and got a pair of offset handled small base quad canes. They were a big help, but my 2 bad knees continued to get worse. Several years ago, I did my homework again and got a Nova Mini Mack rolling walker. That has been a great help to me. When shopping in a large store, I do need to use one of their mobility scooters to get around. When in medical places, if they need me to quickly get to another part of the building, they give me a ride in one of their wheelchairs, as I can't move fast with my rolling walker. I could have gotten a mobility scooter instead of a rollator, but I think that using the rollator will help prolong my walking life. It might even improve my condition a little. Also, my personal sports used to be walking, hiking, and biking. Using my rolling walker gives me a faint echo of the fun I used to have.😊 anyway, technically, I'm not a wheelchair user, but there are occasions when I need to use one or use a mobility scooter. Disabled people are like everyone else. Sometimes, we have bad days, too. When that happens, we may need to upgrade our mobility aids for a while. I can still get around with my 2 canes, but get around better with my Nova Mini Mack and with less pain, too. I had to use a non rolling walker during a recent hospital stay. It's the old 2 wheeled style. It was horrible and made more so because even on its lowest setting, it was too tall for me. I was eventually transferred to one of the nursing homes connected to the hospital, where I am continuing to receive treatment. Not long after I got here, I had a relative bring me my own rolling walker, so now I'm getting around better. There is an old saying: Never judge a book by its cover. That applies to disabilities too. There is no one set way for everyone with a particular disability to be. Variation is actually the norm, not the exception. And remember, not all disabilities are readily visible. Don't be quick to condemn someone who appears okay but has a handicapped license plate or placard. The DMV requires that you bring them a form filled out by your doctor before they give you either one. While it's true that some healthy people use the placards belonging to relatives, they can't use it forever, as the placards have to be periodically renewed. Guess that's all.😊

oh my goodness! You are ABSOLUTELY NOT alone! I almost cried watching this video. I am a ambulatory wheelchair user myself and i'm still very new to it but like yourself I found it amazing as it helped me move more freely. It has been such a hard journey. I recently had a very very horrible ER visit where the doctors were very ableist (i also already suffer from mental illnesses, agoraphobia etc) and the way the doctor grilled me even after my partner was away from me about my use of a wheelchair (I'm plus sized) seems like its different kind of hell being overweight and in a wheelchair... I won't go into details as the memories are still vivid and i'm still working up the courage to go outside again since, (I have just not in the wheelchair) We need more education on these matters... I don't understand why disability is thought of such a black and white matter. There was a research paper that said 70% of chronic illnesses/disabilities were infact invisible. Why is there so much stigma around using mobility aids even with doctors themselves? I knew if I asked the GP I had at the time when I realized I needed a wheelchair they would of pushed back because of my weight because losing weight is more important than avoiding how much chronic pain, agony and energy I spend everyday in and how that limits me... (I also have ME/CFS)

I am 68 years old and I am learning so much from your videos! No one escapes prejudice and intolerance in this world. Good and bad are simply a part of life. The best way to defeat negative people is to smile. You are a courageous young woman, and you make me smile. Thank you!

I was so excited to get my wheelchair because I honestly thought I could get outside again and be able to go anywhere. Since having my chair I have been dismayed by the lack of accessibility. I can't even get from my house into our local park, just 5 minutes away, due to the state of the footpaths and roads, and all the people who park on the paths blocking the way. My chair is literally gathering dust! I can deal with negative comments but I can't deal with the lack of accessibility. Super informative video as per usual 👏

You speak so eloquently about this, it completely makes sense and I found it really validating to listen to someone talk about their experience which is so close to mine. I also have ME and use a manual chair 80% of the time and a power chair 20% of the time, but i used to be a little more mobile, so would walk short distances a you said you do, and even then people judged me because they couldn’t understand dynamic disability and why I might need a wheelchair some days, and other days did not. Always felt that pressure to explain myself and prove my illness, which was exhausting! Thanks for making this video, it was so interesting and informative ❤️❤️

I have fibromyalgia and fatigue and my legs struggle when I walk and I'm fined it painful to stand for long I've been thinking of a wheelchair this video been a help has it's not a visible chronic illness makes me think like you say would be judge has can walk but not very far and not for very long

Great video. I've recently started to use a chair . I have severe lower back pain due to Ankylosing Spondilitis and can barely walk now, though I can use my legs. I struggled with accepting I needed one, I had internalized so much ableism. Best choice I've made. I can go into town or to the coast with my wife for hours now with no pain , I have my freedom back.

I just got my wheelchair last month and love it! Like you, I wasn’t able to leave the house often, now I can leave the house maybe once a week. Recently I have dealt with terrible muscle spasms in my legs and back when I walk too far, so the wheelchair has kind of become a must. I’m definitely not sorry I bought one! I haven’t really gotten out of the wheelchair and walked out in public. I’ve had a few people maybe stare when I get out of the car and into the chair. Overall I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how kind and considerate people have treated me as a young disabled person.❤️

This is the best explanation of post-exertional malaise I've heard. Thank you for sharing! Hope more people learn about ME/CFS.

thank you so much for spreading awareness you are so helpful

Thank you for this video.

@Wheelsnoheels this is something I'd love to see Ur view on this topic. Pippa I am in Ur situation too I have nsd/ fibromyalgia copd and muscle wastage in both left limbs as well as other issues but I can walk for a couple of mins just like you, I'm so glad that people like you and wheelsnoheels do these videos to spread the word about these topics. To try to educate others that a wheelchair does NOT mean "paralysed" or "paraplegic" ❤❤❤❤❤

Thank you so much for such an informative video Pippa 😊x

Thank you for this video! Incredibly articulated. You are not alone in your concerns. All the best mate!🇦🇺

I like what you’re talking about the same kind of problems

❤ thanks for the video,very informative,i am only at the walker stage ,

Thank you very much for doing this particular segment. Everything you said definitely does apply to me and you put it in a way that I had not thought to express or explain. I have a similar situation, but I have a degenerative spinal condition and I have several other conditions, we won’t go into the Long medical, but I also, use the power chair most days at least at some part of the day. I can stand up, I can walk,however; I can’t walk very far before I start falling down. Again thank you very much. This was extremely helpful to me.

Very good video. Thanks. I'm finding that I'm having to use my walking stick a lot more due to a nerve imbalance. I'm 52, but look younger & get comments when using the disabled seat on a bus like "Have you stolen your grandmother's walking stick to use that space?" My late best friend though, was given an NHS walking stick to use during her cancer treatment, yet refused to use it because she 'didn't feel disabled enough!' Ironically, a wheelchair arrived at her flat a week after she passed away. She still probably wouldn't have used it though. Keep up the excellent content. Sending Spoonie Hugs and Love 🥄🤗💜

Oh the looks I get when, in my manual wheelchair, I choose to stand and walk into the disabled toilet (I can't self propel far so it's actually easier). Usually old ladies who may or may not need to use said disabled toilet... I use my manual wheelchair in the exact same way as you. I rarely use it to known places where we park outside (eg GP or local cafe) but longer distances, queues or unknown places it's a must.