HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

I was walking past a medical supply store, and they had an antique wheelchair in the window just for show.   The older ones reminded me of a woven rocking chair on wheels.   They didn’t have performance tires for an active lifestyle, nor would you sit securely if you needed a strap.  I am sure at the end of the 19th century, they didn’t figure you would do anything but exist should you need to use one.

A lot of folks who I knew who had gotten a bit older and were less mobile fought the idea of a wheelchair, but now the electric scooters that some people use almost seem to be talked about with a sense of pride.  They not only help you get around, should you have had a debilitating accident, or have an illness which makes you less mobile; they have cool horns, too.  I even saw one person affix flame stickers to them.

Unfortunately, scooters can be something people joke about as well.  Sometimes, when someone who is on the rubenesque side appears driving a scooter, there are some folks who naturally think that they “just gave up.”  They didn’t move it so they lost it.  While there are some conditions that we definitely contribute to by lack of exercise or poor health, we should not assume.  I think a relative of mine came to that conclusion when they saw a couple at Disney renting one.   He used it for awhile, and then they traded off.   They didn’t rent one because they really required one, but just because they wanted to get around the park faster and wanted to see more in a shorter period of time.   It may make some people think that there is a laziness factor, but on the other hand it destigmatizes scooters as well.

Overall, if you find that negative thoughts pop into your head when you see a scooter, turn it around. It is wonderful that people are out and about.  Staying at home all the time because one can’t get around can be a detriment to health.  It is much better for the spirit as a great depression fighter.  The next time someone honks at you with their scooter, smile and wave back.

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