Pathetic I know

[Thinkimjob]

Don't need the hugs etc, but I am scared to death, not about seeing the neurologist, but about somehow lurching my way into her office.
Her office is on a steep hill (yep mighty fine choice of real estate, there, MS specialist.)
I am so bloody frightened. The cab, the stairs, the curb and guttering, the lift, the long, long walk from a to b.
If I borrow a wheelchair from the adjoining hospital, then it will be probably be okay.
Good Lord, I don't cry often, but the thought of it renders me a sobbing ruin.
Plus side, use a wheelchair, won't have to do those sodding awful balance tests. Point proven, methinks.
I don't want to go. (Childish sookiness.)

[AMJ]

Think, I can relate. My standing and walking ability are really the only symptoms that have continued to progress. I always over think when I go out. How far do I have to walk with my cane? If I'm shopping, are there carts in the store or do I need to take my wheelchair? I got my transport wheelchair last year because I found that I could do so much more. I was not limited to being only able to go in one store and being done until I could rest for a few hours.

I also purchased a travel scoot (it folds up like a stroller) a few years back to use when going on vacations. It has travelled all over Europe and the Carribean with me. A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to a Casino for the weekend and I took it to use as it really let's you be totally independent. I was stopped 8 times and asked where I got it. The first fellow that stopped me asked if this was the latest gadget to use to get around. He thought it was like a Segway and everybody was using them.

It's really hard for us to give in and use mobility Aids, we can be so stubborn. I am the the worst for this, but who pays the price for over exerting ourselves - us!
Do you have someone to go with you to your neuro appt? If not, does your MS society provide transportation?

Please use whatever aid or assistance you need to make your life easier. My thoughts are with you and I hope all goes well at your neuro appt.

[ClearBlueSky]

I know exactly how you feel. I didn't like using a wheelchair for it made me feel diminished. For a long time I wouldn't use it. Only to wish I had. Now, I'll be the first to say if I need it or not. It makes going to certain places so much easier. I know my struggle, and I'm not doing that to myself. I want to save what energy I have for things I enjoy doing.

Did you tell your neuro what a struggle it is to get to her office? Maybe she'll find another location.

AMJ, where did you get your travel scooter? That sounds like a good idea.

[hunterd]

I deal with something similar. One of my doctors has a door that must weigh about 100 pounds, and in order to check in ( and to leave) you must negotiate your way through that door!since I am in a wheelchair, pulling that door out words and fitting through it be for it closes can be quite a daunting task. I know that it is going to sound weird, but when I get there I hope that it is crowded, so that someone inside will take pity on me and open the door for me. Now I know why, before the wheelchair, I used to gladly hold the doors to any place open for others.

[AMJ]

AMJ, where did you get your travel scooter? That sounds like a good idea.

ClearBlueSky

I have had my travel scoot (search under one word) for several years. I bought it online. As I said I got it for travelling. I believe I paid approx $2,000 for it. You do have to have some mobility as it does not have a reverse gear. I believe it weighs 35 pounds. I travel with my husband so he is the one that breaks it down and folds it up. When in Nassau we like to take the bus and head downtown. He is able to break it down and fold it up in about 2 minutes. In my condition (balance) now, I would not be able to that on my own. I do love my scooter, it gives me much more independence.

If you look it up there is a video showing you a guy getting it out of his car and assembling it and then riding it. That will give you an idea of what the scooter is like.

There are other scooters on the market that fold up. I would recommend doing a search and comparing them to see what best meets your needs.

Hope this helps.

J

[palmtree]

Thirty five pounds seems like a lot to lift when it is an awkward shape and dead weight. Especially if you have to bend over and lift it out of a car trunk/boot. I ruined my back lifting the baby stroller out of the back of the car when my son was a baby.

That's a shame the MS specialist has chosen a place where her patients have to climb Mt. Everest to get to her office. I think you should borrow the wheelchair, wheel in and, if she asks what made you change to a wheelchair, say, "I'm still getting around in the wheely walker. I just had to borrow this so I could get up here. I dream of going to your office, walking down a shady tree lined path and to a ground floor office."

You never know, she may be clueless when it comes to architectural barriers. Many doctors are. When I first went to my neuro she was part of another practice but in the process of getting her own office. At my first appointment I told the receptionist I would need to wait outside because carpeting makes my asthma worse. There were no rooms in the office that were free of that suffocating fuzzy stuff so she could tell I was in a hurry to get out of there during the appointment.

At my next appointment she had moved into her new office. I walked in and...hurray! Beautiful polished wood floors with French doors to the treatment rooms. She told me she made it this way for me. I had a rheumatologist that did the same thing. Now we just have to work on increasing the number of handicapped parking spaces in medical complexes.

[KatieAgain]

Thirty five pounds seems like a lot to lift when it is an awkward shape and dead weight. Especially if you have to bend over and lift it out of a car trunk/boot. I ruined my back lifting the baby stroller out of the back of the car when my son was a baby.

That's a shame the MS specialist has chosen a place where her patients have to climb Mt. Everest to get to her office. I think you should borrow the wheelchair, wheel in and, if she asks what made you change to a wheelchair, say, "I'm still getting around in the wheely walker. I just had to borrow this so I could get up here. I dream of going to your office, walking down a shady tree lined path and to a ground floor office."

You never know, she may be clueless when it comes to architectural barriers. Many doctors are. When I first went to my neuro she was part of another practice but in the process of getting her own office. At my first appointment I told the receptionist I would need to wait outside because carpeting makes my asthma worse. There were no rooms in the office that were free of that suffocating fuzzy stuff so she could tell I was in a hurry to get out of there during the appointment.

At my next appointment she had moved into her new office. I walked in and...hurray! Beautiful polished wood floors with French doors to the treatment rooms. She told me she made it this way for me. I had a rheumatologist that did the same thing. Now we just have to work on increasing the number of handicapped parking spaces in medical complexes.

Yep...what she said. Just reading what you will have to do makes me want to just go back to bed.

[SNOOPY]

Hi Thinkimjob,

Her office is on a steep hill

My first reaction would be to cringe. My second would be to turn around and find a new Neurologist.

There is no way any Dr. (for me) is worth trekking up a steep hill.

[PattiHNC]

You're not pathetic!

The location of the neuro's office is pathetic. Some of these people really need educating on the physical limitations of their patients! Do you have any other options nearby? At the very least, let the neuro know how difficult getting to this location is for you.

[Seasha]

The location of the neuro's office is pathetic. Some of these people really need educating on the physical limitations of their patients! Do you have any other options nearby? At the very least, let the neuro know how difficult getting to this location is for you.

I agree wholeheartedly. And use the wheelchair! Will there be someone to help push you up the hill?

Good luck, Think and fill us in on how it goes.