Does getting a mobility aid mean you’ve ‘given up’?

People actually think, and even worse, say getting a mobility aid means you've given up? That's like saying my getting glasses at age 6 was "giving up."

We need to start normalizing making pretty, cute, decorated mobility aids. I’m under 18, but the second I get myself a rollator I WILL decorate it as much I want and I WILL buy it in pink.

I recently broke down and got a shower chair which changed my life. The ability to just sit and wash my body without getting extremely exhausted and passing out is incredible (thank you POTS 🙄) and CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome). I'm looking for a walker chair now because it will help andI'm tired of hiding in the house. Thank you for sharing your story. Much love from Oklahoma!

Getting a mobility aid means gaining power. Great subject for a video Jessica x

The most frustrating part of this for me is, I know a mobility aid would help me in so many ways. But I also know that my family would judge me to death for using it. I've tried explaining how challenging things are for me and the conversation just turns into "why aren't your meds working" to which I respond "they are working they just aren't a cure" this concept seems completely lost on my abled family and I'm just at the point where I've excepted that my quality of life is going to be limited until I move out.

I was absolutely astounded the first time I used my wheelchair in a large store. Previously, I'd just tried to rely on leaning heavily on a cart, but usually ended up getting super lightheaded around half way through the store, followed by regretting my life choices. I was actually outpacing my friend who usually goes shopping with me and I didn't feel like crap afterwards. Such a wonderful feeling!

Exactly! To me, "giving up" is not bothering to get a mobility aid and resigning yourself to just staying home all the time. Getting the mobility aid means the opposite of giving up.

Oh boy here we GO! My sister started using a manual wheelchair in middle school, and she upgraded to a motorized chair in high school. To an outsider, it might seem like her disability is getting worse, and while she’s not a little kid anymore and she needs more assistance than she used to, that’s not at all how we see it. For her, an ambulatory user who has very limited control of the left side of her body, it was a HUGE game-changer. Totally worth the cost of the chair! And last year we got a van with an automatic ramp. It’s not cheap, but fortunately we’re in a position that we can afford these aids, and each step has done so much to boost my sister’s confidence, comfort, and autonomy.

"Giving up" is not going to pride, not going to the convention, not going shopping, not going to the party the zoo the aquarium the fireworks, etc. and resigning yourself to stay home for the rest of your life because of the pain. I was too ashamed for a long time to use a wheelchair because i didn't feel "disabled enough" but if you're missing out on things because of your disability you would definitely benefit from a mobility aid. I've used my wheelchair a few times now and i feel free, happy, and way less disabled than i did without it. Your mobility aid series and channel at large really helped me reach this stage of my life and i'm very grateful.

I had my GP tell me that I was giving up when I told her I felt it was time I start using a wheelchair. She didn't think I needed one because I always looked fine when I was in her office. She missed the fact that I had to get a taxi to go the 350 meters from my house to her office. Then I had a pain specialist in one of the biggest hospitals in the country tell me I didn't need a wheelchair because being able to stand and walk for 10 minutes at a time was "plenty." Nevermind that I had to walk more than 10 minutes just to get to my bus stop. Then I had another GP tell me that I'm too young to be using a wheelchair and that we should work on getting me out of it. I haven't used my wheelchair at all the last few years, mostly because I haven't left my house much because of Covid. But hearing those things from doctors just makes it all so much harder.

Your channel has helped me be more comfortable with my disability (even naming it so is a big step!) And I bought a cane for a trip coming up to help with long walks or standing that hurt my back and I'm so excited to see how it goes! Thank you Jessica, you're such a treasure!

My little brother took a cane on his last class trip, to help him stay on his feet all day. He doesn't have anything diagnosed, so he told me he felt guilty when a guy on the underground gave up his seat for him. I think I'll forward this video to him

The fact that someone would tell another person that getting a mobility aid (or any kind of health/quality of life aid) is “giving up” is just insane.

As a physical therapist the idea of someone saying you are "giving up" by getting the help you need and taking care of yourself, your needs and getting to be more involved in you own life just makes my blood boil!! Thanks for helping educate and spread awareness👏

I just picked up my first custom made wheelchair as an ambulatory user. It was a huge decision to make, but I love the independence it's given me already.

This video came at the perfect time for me. Though I've been disabled for 24 years, I just used a wheelchair for the first time last weekend to get around a convention. It was so wonderful to be able to enjoy the event instead of gritting my teeth through pain the whole time. I didn't have to spend days in bed afterward as my "punishment" for doing something fun. Now I wish I'd started using an aid years ago. This video really reassured me in the wake of the few remaining hesitations I had after trying out the wheelchair. Thank you so much for your empowering content!

Every friend and spouse/partner of someone with a disability or mobility impairment HAS TO SEE THIS! I'm so tired of the ppl in my life saying things like, "Why do you need that, you can walk just fine!" No, sunshine, I can walk until l can't and I don't want to be in a position where I pushed myself too hard and then I'm stuck. Even the greeter at our Walmart gave me the very obvious slow updown to internally determine if I was actually disabled enough to ask for a scooter. I just looked at him and said, "It must be nice to be able to stand on your feet all day and judge people!" I was taught to keep my mouth shut, but he made me so angry! I'm so tired of it and my joints and feet are in so much pain! I have a rollator for big events like the occasional comic expo and use a cane almost 100% of the time now. I'd like to start using either the rollator or a wheelchair but that judgment, especially from my own family really hurts.

I've very recently started using a mobility aid (a very snazzy and stylish walking stick!) and it's been such a great addition to my life. I now actually have energy left when I come home after a shopping trip or outing, and I don't have to worry much about dizziness, because if I get dizzy I have something to lean on that helps me keep my balance. 😍

I'm such a big fan of mobility aids. If they make your life easier, then how can it ever be bad to get one? I've been an ambulatory wheelchair user since I was 15, and without it I wouldn't have been able to go to school. These days I can't leave my house at all, and I can't use my wheelchair indoors because my arms are too weak to push myself, so my wheelchair doesn't get used much, but I now get around my home with a cane and a rollator and they save me a lot of energy.

Crying at "disability is not an innately bad thing" thanks lesbian mom ❤