“Batteries are Included” (Mobility scooters)

Member Name: David J. Rogers

Product:	Mobility scooters
Date:	17/03/02 (1837 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Independance, Freedom, Mobility

Disadvantages: Very few.

Now under the correct heading, thank you Simone.
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After many years of restricted mobility I have given in and bought an electronic scooter to help me get out more.

My accident, some 14yrs ago now, left me with a damaged spine, beyond repair, and degenerative (Getting worse) I spent some time in a wheelchair but vowed I would get out of it and not use one again, and did so after about a year. I had found that people in wheelchairs were ignored. People we knew well would ask my wife how I was doing, how the treatment was going and such like, and all the time I was there, in that darn wheelchair, almost, it would seem, invisible, or having lost my senses as well as my mobility. This got me so mad that nothing would stop me getting out of the thing and quick smart too.

For years now I have been unable to go far from the house, often spending months on end without even going in the garden. Of course this was not good and it set in agoraphobia. Yet another problem to add to my list, and yet another fight to beat it. But I saw any return to artificial aids of mobility as a backward step. I had spent a year of blood, sweat and tears to get rid of one aid and I was not going to go back. Almost a case of “cutting off your own nose to spite your face” some may feel, it was pride really, stupid pride, that one thing I guess we all battle with throughout life, but something that was also driving me on. Talking of driving let’s get to the scooter.

Okay … I was a governor at a school who’s secretaries mother had one but didn’t use it… I was asked if I would be interested in buying it. The secretary was a great friend, well we had known each other for around 15yrs and both worked at the school for that time too, so I knew the scooter was going to be okay, she would never think of selling me something she thought may be a problem. So, after a lot of talking, wit
h my wife and children, and friends too, I was persuaded to give in and go for it… and all they wanted was £400, about £1.500 cheaper than a new one. It is a 3 wheeled model, and goes by the name “Shoprider Sunrunner” It is a nice deep metallic red colour, and apart from a shopping basket on the front, which was removable, it didn’t really it looked like an old persons toy. Some of you may feel that is a very “ageism” statement but I am still only 49 and, being seen as old, or immobile again was one of my concerns, I had been there with the wheelchair and was not about to go back again. I was; however, being pushed to get out again, and to buy the scooter, everyone pushing was doing so for the right reasons but I was being short sighted… Yet again!

A few basic facts about the scooter.

It can go at a slow walking pace through to a rapid walking pace.
It applies its brakes as soon as you let the finger activated drive lever.
It will climb quite steep hills with ease. (Maximum climb should be 15% or 9”)
It has air filled tires that make it a much smother ride.

It is run from dry batteries, they are kept topped up by leaving it on charge all the time. The charger changes the rate of charge according t the battery level. Full and fast charge after use through to a trickle charge once fully charged.

It has two tiny wheels that click on the back to prevent tipping when climbing up kerbs.

It is comfortable.

It does look like an old mans means of transport but works so well that is not really a worry now.

It allows me to go out at times when the pain would normally keep me at home.

It has a fantastic turning circle, seems it can turn in the smallest of spaces.

The biggest down side is it is light and has no locking facility, for leaving outside shops etc.

It is easy to disassemble and then store in the boot of the car, and real
ly doesn’t take long at all.

Manufacturers spec. (Book data)
Rear wheel driven.
Permanent magnet 25 volt DC Enclosed Motor.
Auto Brakes.
Can be free wheeled. (Simple pull of a lever)
Auto parking brake.
Total weight is 47kg
Max load 14 stone (But can, and does carry more)
Max range 10miles.
Wheel size, Front 8” Rear 9”
Uses 2 x 12 volt, maintenance free batteries.
Can be easily dismantled for carriage in car.
Adjustable seat.
Maximum speed 3.5 mph << (But seems much faster)

All In all it is a great little tool and I am planning to use it again once the weather warms up. I am not sure I would have paid the full price for this one, there are some better looking, and stronger ones out there, for a similar retail price. But regardless of that it is fit for the purpose it was sold for and, thus far, very reliable.

It used to take me over 50 minutes to walk to the local school, mainly because I had to walk slowly and take breaks every 5 minutes. Now it is an 8 minute ride and I arrive feeling in less pain and really quite well. I have to admit I did feel odd when I first used it, and would only go around the area in front of the house. It was when doing this I gained my confidence, my wonderful neighbours, all of them, commented on how great the thing was, how good to see me out again and how I didn’t look like an old man on it. That led to my first “long run”. to the school and back, all of 1.5miles each way. however, for me, a step towards freedom again.

I have to admit that using it in the wet, or cold, is no fun but I did go to my sons, for dinner, over the Christmas period and despite the bitter wind a blanket around my lower half, a hat and gloves it really wasn’t so bad.

My advice to anyone, of any age, thinking of buying one of these is simple,
“GO FOR IT” I have never regretted it and I doubt you wil
l either.

I haven’t named it yet… any ideas? (Be kind you horrid lot … please.)

“Tech Data taken from manufacturers owners manual.”

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