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Trying to choose a mobility scooter
Maybe some of you can commiserate. ;) I have arthritis in both my ankles and one of my knees. It's gotten to the point that (sometimes) I can't walk very far before something starts hurting.
So, I say to myself that maybe it's finally time for me to buy a mobility scooter. I do the usual checking of insurance and, as expected, realize that they're not gonna pay for that (since technically I can walk). I did a bunch more research on the internet about mobility scooters, etc. Anyway, at this point I'm completely confused about what kind to get. Unfortunately, even the "lightweight" mobility scooters tend to have a piece that's 20+ pounds, which is more than I could lift (I also have a bad back). So I'm probably going to have to get some kind of wheelchair lift for my car (I live by myself - also there isn't really public transportation where I live). But maybe not until I buy my next car, because my current one doesn't even have a hitch (which seems to be needed for an external lift.) So it's like, how do I figure out the right combination of these things without putting myself seriously in the hole money-wise?! Someone should write, "How to Choose a Mobility Scooter (and Accessories) For Dummies (tm)". Heh.




Ugh, insurance companies are the worst. You could possibly try having your doctor(s) write letters to the company saying it is medically necessary, but that might take way more energy and time than it is worth.
I don't know if this suggestion would be just completely unhelpful since this is outside my personal experience, but possibly a lightweight scooter + some kind of ACTUALLY light foldable ramp? Since (if I understand you correctly) you wouldn't need to get you + the scooter up the ramp, it wouldn't need to be a heavy-duty wheelchair one, just sturdy enough to bear the 20-50 lb scooter. Then you could stick the ramp in your car, drive to wherever, and use the ramp to get the scooter out. That way, you wouldn't have to lift more than 6-10 lbs yourself. I'm not sure if, with your back, bending is also out of the question, so this might not be a practical solution. I also haven't been able to find much that is 1. under $100 2. gets to a height of at least a couple feet 3. is light enough to carry and considered portable. Dog ramps tend to be too narrow and not have quite enough height, and most stroller ramps I'm seeing also are too short at only 1 foot or so. Possibly more googling could turn something up.
There are some wheelchair ramps that are designed to be portable. EZ Access might be an okay option, as their single-fold ramp can be separated into two pieces and the lightest starts at 6 lbs per piece and about $120 USD depending on where you buy it.
I'd also definitely recommend looking into local advocacy groups and shopping around online through Ebay and such because you might be able to find more affordable options.
I'll have to check out ramps, that would be much more affordable than a lift.
You may want to call one of the companies that make the scooters. Don't plan on buying one yet. Most of the lightweight power scooters come apart and can be put together easily. So you really need to figure out what the heaviest part is and then see if you can lift that piece. You may not be able to life 20+ lbs of chair, but you might be able to lift part of a rod, lean it against the car and then lift the rest in. More below on that. Sometimes patient advocates and doctors can get together and you can end up getting more than you think you can when it comes to certain things with insurance. There's also secondhand, ebay, bizarre deals on amazon, and who knows what else. Patient advocates can be really helpful.
Back to ways to get things into/out of the car, you may also not need a wheelchair ramp or lift. A crafty friend might be able to put together a pulley system for you, which might be easy to work with for a light-weight scooter. There are also interior wheelchair and scooter lifts which do not require a hitch on your current car. They install in the interior and kind of look like cranes. It obviously depends on what kind of car you currently have, though.
Yeah, I would probably have to wait for my next car for an interior lift - I have a sedan right now, I don't think there'd even be room to lift a wheelchair in there!
But there might be room to lift a lightweight foldable scooter. If you talk to the companies, they may have ideas. (My knowledge is more based on figuring things out for adaptive needs. But you'd be amazed at what jury-rigging can accomplish!)
I did also see some hitch options for sedans that included a sort of back of car holder type thing, like some people use for bikes. Idk if you would want to keep the scooter external to the car (that would make me personally nervous since I'm an anxious driver already!) while you are driving. It also might still be fairly expensive, but possibly combined with fluffywhitething's suggestions could be another possibility!
Ugh, sorry, that sucks. :(
Can't give any real help, but I feel for ya!