3 Reasons Why Mobility Aids Are Great At Any Age
You wouldn’t be ashamed about needing glasses to help you see, so you shouldn’t be ashamed to need a different accessory to function. Mobility aids, such as canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, and wheelchairs, are designed to help people with mobility impairments move around better. While many people associate them with older adults, they can be used by people of any age. Unfortunately, because of this association, some younger people may feel ashamed or embarrassed about using mobility aids, but you shouldn’t feel bad about needing a little help.
I’m in my 20s and I often use a rollator when I’m not feeling well. I’ve taken my rollator to an amusement park, a Renaissance fair, a church celebration, to vote, a mall, and multiple stores. I won’t say it’s easy to use everywhere, because a lot of places are not very accessible, but when a location is accessible it is usually a great experience and I’m so thankful to have it.
1. They Improve Quality of Life
Mobility aids are designed to improve quality of life by making it easier to move around and participate in daily activities. Using a mobility aid can help you keep your independence, engage in social activities, and pursue your goals and interests. By using a mobility aid, you can have more control over your life and feel more confident in your ability to navigate the world.
Sometimes it makes doing something surprisingly way better. For example, when shopping for clothes I sit on my rollator and since I’m at the same level as the clothes find things I like that I would’ve otherwise overlooked. It’s also really fun being rolled around on a smooth floor. And going to an amusement park is so much better because since you’re unable to physically wait in line you can check in at the ride and they’ll call you when it would be your turn, and you can do other things while you wait.
A mobility aid is simply a tool that can help people with disabilities move around better. Just like wearing glasses or using a hearing aid, using a mobility aid is a way to improve function and quality of life. There is no shame in using a tool that can help you to live your life to the fullest!
2. They Come in Many Different Forms
There are many different mobility aids, from canes and crutches to walkers and wheelchairs. This means that there is one out there that can meet the specific needs of each individual. For example, someone with a temporary injury may only need a cane or crutch for a short period, while someone with a chronic condition may need a more substantial mobility aid, such as a walker or wheelchair for a longer period.
You can also have multiple mobility aids to suit your day-to-day needs. On my good days, I don’t need a mobility aid. Then on days that my hip hurts, I can use a cane or walk with my rollator. On really bad days when any kind of walking is too much, I convert my rollator into a wheelchair and get pushed around.
Also, they can come in different colors and patterns. You can have something simple like an all-black cane, or something fun and dazzling. You can also decorate them with stickers, tape, or paint them to match your personality. There’s no reason you can’t make mobility aids into fashionable accessories!
3. Using a Mobility Aid Can Help Reduce the Stigma
The more people use mobility aids, the more it’s seen by others and it becomes normalized and accepted. By using a mobility aid you can help to reduce stigma and increase awareness about the diversity of people who need and use them.
If my options are struggling to function or using a mobility aid and maybe getting a few weird looks but doing what I want, I prefer the looks. I have no shame about needing a mobility aid because it’s just another accessory that helps me function better, like glasses. Nobody should ever have to feel bad about needing a little help to move around. Don’t be afraid to use a mobility aid, it can help you to live your life to the fullest.