I have always had mixed feelings about mobility scooters. Living in Surry Hills, I associate them with a certain…eccentricity… based on the elaborately decorated scooters you often see in the area. Plus, Sydney’s excellent public transport means I have never considered needing one myself, even after last year’s lower limb amputation.
This Christmas, while visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Lismore, I have had a chance to really experience a mobility scooter. Their daughter recently purchased one on their behalf, but so far they are reluctant to use it. Like many of their generation, they seem to resist accepting assistance, even if it means a better quality of life.
Seeing their unused scooter, I decided to give it a try.
In the last few days I have been exploring Lismore with a newfound freedom – the shopping centre, the town, the riverbank – all easily accessible. The wind in my face, the ease of movement…it is exhilarating.
This experience is definitely shifting my perspective. While Sydney’s excellent public transport still makes a scooter seem unnecessary to me and my current situation, I now realize the value it could bring in a place like Lismore, where getting around isn’t so easy. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about independence and the freedom to explore new possibilities.
James, I have sent you an email. Just mentioning that because last time I did that you said you didn’t check that address often.
Scooters definitely an asset in Lismore; maybe not quite so compatible with the life you lead in Sydney.