Getting around the hills

“Did you get the mobility scooter from Antonio?”, a woman I know at the local pub asked me yesterday. Though I didn’t recall the previous conversation, she recommended the wheelchair hire service Antonio and Esta run https://www.wheelchairstogo.com.au/ a few months ago. She told me it was a lifeline for her partner’s mobility needs. I never thought I’d need such support, as I was getting around quite well, but there you go, I ended up needing it after all. Funny how life works.

I’ve stumbled into this unexpected community here in Surry Hills. It’s teeming with mobility scooter users, a mix of people navigating disabilities. We’ve formed this unspoken bond, a wave and a ‘hello’ as we pass each other It’s a bit surreal, but strangely also comforting.

My friends and I joke about ‘pimping’ my scooter: a rainbow flag, a sunshade, and maybe some quirky bumper stickers – Eureka flags, anyone? Maybe I could have a side hustle as  an Uber eats cyclist. It’s all part of embracing this new chapter of my life with a smile.

And honestly, I’m loving the scooter life! It’s transformed my mobility, making errands like yesterday’s milk run incredibly easy. While NDIS support is an option, hiring a scooter is currently more affordable and flexible.

Of course, this is temporary. I’m gaining strength daily, even managing a few hundred meters on one crutch last night. Along the way I had to stop on occasion at one of the street benches, but I got there and back.

The scooter has opened my eyes to a longer-term solution for those challenging days.

People often envision recovery from amputation as a linear path – prosthetic, rehabilitation, walking, done. But the reality is more nuanced. Health professionals have cautioned about pain, blisters, and sores that can hinder prosthetic use.

My wheelchair is cumbersome in Surry Hills’ hilly terrain. My initial NDIS OT (occupational therapy) report suggested motorized (add on) support, perhaps a wheelchair assist, but even those are pricey. A mobility scooter seems a more practical choice, and that’s what I’ve begun to pursue.

I need a new OT assessment for the NDIS, but the cost is daunting. My friend at the pub echoed this sentiment – we understand the professionals’ expertise, but the financial burden is significant. Thankfully, I won’t have to worry about covering the costs myself, just kind of putting it out there that OT reports are quite expensive. Actually, it’s much more expensive than buying an actual scooter!

This week, I’m heading to Adelaide for the national amputee conference. I’ve arranged wheelchair assistance at the airport, a necessity given Jetstar’s sprawling terminals, especially post-hip replacement. Afterwards, it’s back to Lismore to visit family, and then, a deep breath, I’m off to China at the end of May. Onwards and upwards, hills and all. Great Wall of China – here I come!