Mobility Scooters – Their Features, Uses And Limitations
A mobility scooter is similar to a wheelchair as far as its function is concerned, as both these devices aid in mobility, but the key difference lies in the fact that this one is designed more like a motor scooter.
Mobility scooters were invented by Allan R. Thieme in the year 1968. Thieme designed this product to help one of his family members, a relative who was afflicted with multiple sclerosis, move about without much trouble.
Amigo was the brand name of the first mobility scooter, and it marked the start of the entire industry. These scooters come equipped with three, four or five wheels, a handlebar to move the steerable wheels and foot rests. They are normally powered by a battery, which is charged with the help of a battery charger that is present in the scooter. Some countries have gasoline powered scooters too, but they are gradually being substituted by electric scooters.
Mobility scooters come in two varieties, the ones with a front wheel drive and the ones with a rear wheel drive. The front wheel drive scooters are small devices, with a weight capacity of 250 pounds, and are mainly fit for indoor purposes. The rear wheel drive scooters are suitable for both indoor and outdoor purposes, and have a weight capacity of 350 pounds. Some heavily built scooters can carry weights of even 500 pounds.
A mobility scooter is used to assist people who face disability or health related problems, providing mobility for those who don’t have the stamina or flexibility to operate a wheelchair. The rotating seats provided in these scooters are easier to use than the operating foot supports that are present in traditional wheelchairs. They are particularly useful for people who suffer from whole body or systemic disability, lung issues, coronary issues, arthritis, or obesity.
The main advantage of mobility scooters is that they don’t resemble traditional wheel chairs. Few people even today perceive disability to be a negative and rather shameful condition and are not fond of a wheelchair, as it tends to highlight their condition to others. For such people, these scooters are a very good alternative. Also, these scooters are generally cheaply priced and are affordable compared to the powered wheelchairs.
Though such scooters eliminate the necessity of manual strength, which is required to operate a wheelchair, the steering mechanism requires an upright posture, shoulder strength, and also some mobility in the upper torso. This problem, though, can be eliminated by choosing models that have a controller mounted on the arm-rest.
Also, these scooters do not have any head support and have very little amenities for body support. Moreover, their design does not facilitate the patient’s easy transfer from the seat to the bed. Because they are longer than wheelchairs, their turning radius is less, and there is some difficulty in using them in lifts and other facilities designed for wheelchair access. But there are many models and brands nowadays and choosing the right brand with the required features can eliminate such disadvantages.
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