From Benches to the Lake: How My byACRE Rollator Set Me Free
Hi, my name is Marilyn, I am 72 years old and the very proud owner of the byACRE Rollator Ultralight.
A Fall That Changed Everything
Five years ago, just before Christmas, I was dashing around and slipped on my wet kitchen floor and fractured my spine — this was to be a life-changing event for me. Many CT scans and MRIs later, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my spine and sadly have since suffered another fracture. I am in a lot of pain most of the time; standing and walking is incredibly difficult because of the pain. I have been fitted with a back brace which is very uncomfortable to wear, and frankly does little for the pain.
When Life Became Very Small
Holidays and day trips had been spoiled by my life consisting of heading for the next available bench to sit a while and recover before the next 50 yards. Shopping trips were no longer enjoyable, so I stopped going. My get-up-and-go had truly gone, leading me to live a quiet, sedentary life at home. This was in sharp contrast to my life before the fall — slowly, my world had become very small.
Considering My Options
Recently I had been thinking about getting a mobility scooter. Of course it would make life easier in one respect, but the downside was transporting one, and I wouldn't be getting any exercise at all! I am young at heart and enjoy the fun that can be had… if only I wasn't in so much pain. I had looked at different walkers that are available but could never bring myself to accept that I needed an aid to walk. I am afraid to say that there is more than a little part of me that would rather suffer than look like a little old lady with a cumbersome walker. No, I had made up my mind — I was not ready for that and would feel hugely embarrassed in my village where I live and grew up.
A Chance Encounter
One day, about a year ago, I was in a store when a lady walked past me pushing a shiny bright red walker that didn't resemble anything I had seen before. I was so taken with it that I stopped to tell her how fabulous she looked with it; she was clearly delighted with her new aid! I took note of the name on the side — byACRE. I had never heard of it, but it stayed with me.
Ready to Try Something New
Recently, I had felt quite despondent at the prospect of another summer ahead. I had a holiday booked but didn't feel terribly enthusiastic because of my limitations in walking. I believe that there is a time for everything, and now I felt ready to give one of these byACRE Rollators a go. When it arrived, it made me smile because it looked just like the scooter I had as a child — this immediately made it feel friendly to me!
Walking to the Manor — A Goal Achieved
I live in the village of Ramsbury. There is a manor and lake about a mile from me, and one of my goals in life was to one day walk to the manor again — something I hadn't done since my fall. I phoned a friend who expressed concern that it was a long way for my first trip out, but I felt determined to try. She agreed to come with me, and in no time at all we arrived at the lake, pain free!
I was ecstatic, and all my concerns about having a walker disappeared. I can walk pretty much anywhere now; the design and position of the handles make it pain free for me, which I never thought would be possible. I need to work on my stamina because I haven't walked for a very long time and don't have a lot of energy — having said that, I can feel it improving daily, and the future looks much brighter thanks to this wonderful rollator!
My Vespa on Wheels
I always wanted a red Vespa scooter. In true tradition of my family's humour, my son Harvey bought me a pack of Vespa stickers — so my Rollator is now referred to as my Vespa!
Learn More About my Rollator
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