Four Mobility Myths Busted!

Many commonly held beliefs about mobility are not only untrue but they can be damaging in certain circumstances. Especially in scenarios where certain unwarranted stigmas may stop people from getting the help they need. Below are four of the myths our team most commonly hears and the reality that could remove future risks.

1. Mobility Aids are only for the Elderly

Many associate walking aids, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and more with those who are old or otherwise decrepit. In truth, a wide range of people use aids and may suffer from various invisible impairments. These could be chronic fatigue related conditions, heart conditions, epilepsy or more.

This is a potentially dangerous stigma as it may stop people from acquiring mobility aids who could really benefit from them. Going without could increase the risk of accidents and make any existing ailments much worse!

2. Using a Mobility Aid will make you Dependent on it

Many believe that accepting assistance of any kind will make you weaker and lead you to depend on that assistance. In truth, the bigger risk comes from the potential consequences of going without. It may also exacerbate other issues that could be relieved by using a mobility aid.

3. Mobility Aids mean Giving Up Independence

This is another falsehood! In actual fact, the complete opposite is true. Limiting oneself to what can be done without mobility aids can severely reduce options of where you can travel, what you can do, and how you can get there. Just some of the potential options include:

• A rollator or walker to get you to the local shops.
• A walking frame, cane or trolley to navigate the house with ease.
• A mobility scooter for longer distance journeys at half the time.
•  A wheelchair for general mobility, with or without an attendant.

Mobility aids give you options rather than take them away. Take a look at our full range of mobility scooters, wheelchairs and rollators to explore your options further.

4. I won’t be able to Work

It can be easy to believe this, especially after an unexpected life change. By law, employers must make reasonable steps to ensure workers with disabilities, either physical or mental health conditions, are not substantially disadvantaged as they go about doing their work. These reasonable steps depend on the capability of the employers, it may be that they need to install proper infrastructure for those with disability issues. In many cases, the onus is on the employer to try and find a suitable alternative to keep you in work.

Overcoming stigmas and beating these myths are important. Not just to boost the self-image of those with mobility problems , but to reopen the opportunities others would ignorantly close them off to.