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Scooters
Scooters are fun and sporty-looking, therefore
highly marketable and a tempting mobility option. However,
they are not a safe ride for everyone. It's important to find
out whether you need a wheelchair or a scooter, before risking
your safety. Talk with your doctor first, then try out a few
models at a store. Scooters are usually at least partially
covered by insurance because they are mobility devices, not
recreation vehicles. You will need a prescription from your
doctor.
Scooters are useful mobility devices for
persons who are at least semi-ambulatory, such as those with
varying degrees of multiple sclerosis, limited stamina, or
a temporary disability, such as a broken ankle. One must be
able to get on and off scooters independently and have enough
trunk strength to sit upright, without any special supports.
Scooters allow people to do a great many
things they couldn't do before—travel to work or vacation
destinations, shop for groceries, visit museums, etc. Some
people even use scooters inside their homes and offices. Scooters
come in 3-wheel and 4-wheel versions, each with advantages
and disadvantages. Some come apart easily to fit into a car
trunk, while some do not disassemble.
A scooter must have rear-wheel drive
to handle grass, gravel, carpeting, and rugged dirt paths.
Most of the larger 3-wheel scooters are sufficient for rough
terrain, though 4-wheelers are even more rugged. However,
4-wheeled scooters are larger and more costly; they don't
fit onto small elevators or bus-lifts. They have weight capacities
of up to 400-450 pounds.
| Why Scooters Are Not
for Everyone: |
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Scooters may aggravate chronic
lower back conditions because the seats are standard—not
custom-made for specific heights or body types. Even
if there are a variety of seats to choose from, they
are all standardized, and very few have extra lumbar
support.
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The rider must lean forward
toward the handlebars, which means they are not sitting
up straight; that causes lower back strain.
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Scooters tip over much easier than
wheelchairs. A tip-over is dangerous for persons with
osteoporosis, poor balance, or other health concerns.
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Before purchasing a scooter
off the Internet, learn about potential risks of
Online Shopping on our Manufacturers
page. |
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Comfort. Before buying,
always test-drive on a sidewalk, not just on a showroom
floor or parking lot to see how the ride feels over the
bumps; also pay attention to seat comfort—if it's
not great in the store, it'll really be uncomfortable
after a couple hours. |
Amigo Mobility International
http://www.myamigo.com/hc/hcproducts.aspx
Amigo is the pioneer of scooters—the first company to
produce them, as well as motorized shopping carts in grocery
stores. Amigos are sturdy, break down for travel, and come
in a variety of models. Acceleration is achieved by pulling
a throttle-lever towards you; rather than pushing a throttle
lever with the thumb. It’s a matter of preference and
in some cases, manual dexterity.
Invacare
http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodView.asp?source=froogle&idAff=15225&idproduct=5174
Invacare, an established manufacturer of custom wheelchairs,
recently released the Invacare Zoom, very easy to maneuver
because of its tight turning radius. There are three sizes:
the light-weight Zoom 220 indoor model, and all-terrain 300
and 400 series for indoors and outdoors.
Pride Mobility
Products
http://www.pridemobility.com/homepage.html
Pride manufactures many types of mobility devices, including
scooters, standard wheelchairs, and lift-chairs. The most
popular indoor scooter is the Pride Sundancer, and the most
popular outdoor models are the Pride Celebrity and Pride Rally.
Fact Sheet on Scooters from Abledata
http://www.abledata.com/abledata_docs/scooters.htm
Note:
Infinitec Inc. does not endorse or recommend these products
and has no liability for the results of their use. Infinitec
Inc. has received no consideration of any type for featuring
any product on this Web site. The information offered herein
is a summary; it is not comprehensive and should be carefully
evaluated by consumers with the assistance of qualified professionals.
The intention of Infinitec Inc. is to offer consumers a brief
overview of various assistive technology devices and their
applications
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