Ok, so you don’t buy a mobility scooter because they look great. You buy one because they enable you to get out of the house more. That is worth more than anything.

I used to use my wheelchair most of the time. This had one problem, the local shops were just that bit too far away. I would go there in my wheelchair, but by the time I got back I was exhausted. This happened once too often. So after much soul searching, I bit the bullet and got a mobility scooter.

After that – life changed. I still use my wheelchair, but not in the same way. Now when I want to go to the shops, I zoom there (well trundle) in my scooter. When I get home I am not exhausted, I am ready for my next challenge; not my bed.

I am stubborn; I don’t like to ask for help. I don’t want to ask my wife to go to the shops for a newspaper or more milk. I want to go myself; without it taking every last ounce of my strength to do so.

My cousin only lives 1 mile away. That doesn’t sound far, but it is like 20 miles away to me in my wheelchair. This time last year I hardly ever saw him. Now, with my scooter, I can go and see him whenever I want. I don’t have to wait (and wait!) for him to come and see me.

I used to think mobility scooters were for elderly people. To be honest, I thought they were a bit naff. Since getting one, I don’t care what they look like. The most important thing is that my scooter gets my independence back, it gets me mobile. It gets me out doing the things I used to do. I can visit friends, go to the shops. I no longer sit at home waiting for help, doing things for myself is no longer just too difficult.