Getting Older Doesn't Mean Missing Out

All of my life, I've always been a fiercely independent person. After raising three children and becoming a grandmother about a decade ago, I was proud of the fact that despite entering my sixties, I was completely independent and on my own. While many friends of mine found themselves in nursing facilities or living with their children, I was happy to remain in the home I'd purchased many years ago and that I was still able to take care of day to day business. The way I saw it, there was no reason to become reliant on anyone else since I could still do everything I needed to do; I never thought or expected that to change, but it did.

Things Become Difficult -

Gradually, the side effects of old age started creeping up on me. Before I knew it, staying on my feet for more than a few minutes at a time became difficult; I became winded and exhausted so easily, I started to dread going out anywhere. Household chores started to fall by the wayside as I struggled to perform simple tasks around the house. On many occasions, my daughter asked me if I needed help; I adamantly and immediately insisted no, that I was perfectly capable of handling matters on my own. I was stubborn and didn't want to impose on anyone else.

A Happy Discovery -

Unfortunately one of my dear friends had a fall and broke her hip around the same time when things started to become increasingly more difficult for me. Upon returning home, she was outfitted with a scooter and other mobility aids on the recommendation of her physician. When I visited her, I was surprised to see how efficient she still was, despite her recent injury. I hadn't broken a thing, yet I couldn't manage to take care of a fraction of what she was! I mentioned this to her at one point; she looked at me and said, "You should really look into mobility scooters. I think they would do you a world of good." The next day, I started looking.

A New Lease On Life -

Within a week, I had purchased my very own mobility scooter and had also picked out an assortment of mobility aids that I'd been too stubborn to try out. The relief - and benefits - were immediate. Without having to stay on my feet to get around, I was able to take care of all of the usual chores at home. Daily tasks that had become insurmountable became manageable again. Instead of having to live with relatives or in a nursing home, I am imagining a future where I can remain independent and on my own. I credit mobility aids and my scooter with my helping me retain my independence into my golden years.