Discovering the World of Rollators
Having decided that now was the right time to move on from using two sticks — or a front-pushing shopping trolley with a brick in it to give me the stability I needed for leaning on it — I began my research into rollators. I discovered they come in many forms, weights, shapes, colours and sizes, yet none of them appealed to me. Then, quite by chance, an acquaintance introduced me to hers, saying it had literally changed her life. Somewhat sceptically, I asked her how this could possibly be, to which she replied: "It's given me the confidence to go out again — I'm no longer afraid of experiencing another fall and having to be hospitalised." She then let me try out this precious commodity of hers, and I immediately felt taller, straighter and more confident than I had in years.
Finding the Right Fit at the Showroom
My physical condition for requiring a rollator is severe kyphosis of the spine, caused by multiple vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis. It's a painful condition, but I am determined to stay mobile for as long as possible. My acquaintance assured me she had done a great deal of research before purchasing hers — the Overland — and had then bought it online. We, however, decided to make the journey to the showroom in the Cotswolds for a full demonstration of all the various styles and colours. We were met by Richard, who gave us his full care and attention for nearly two hours. After much deliberation, and walking up and down trying them out in the car park, I settled on the Overland, as my activities are not yet limited to weekly shopping trips — I still have a zest for walking over the sand dunes near our holiday-let bungalow in Norfolk, travelling to new places and walking coastal routes. My Overland rollator has indeed been a life-changer for me — it brought back that freedom of mobility I thought I had lost forever.
The Questions I'm Asked
I'm often stopped while out by an admirer wanting to know more. A frequently asked question is whether it will go up and down steps. I always reply that, of course, it will mount one small step — perhaps, in future, it might be possible to modify it so that mounting and descending several steps could be achieved.
First Big Adventure: Scotland
My Overland's first big adventure was to the land of haggis and bagpipes — it was certainly put through its paces there! John O'Groats saw me posing with my trusty companion, and the cobbled streets of Edinburgh posed no challenge at all.
I felt safe and secure on my feet as I walked freely amidst the thronging crowds. Those shuffling along with lesser walking aids looked at me wistfully, and some even with envy. If the going got tough at all, my seat was always there to provide rest, without me needing to look for a vacant, seagull-splattered bench. Our Scottish holiday had been a great success with the help and support of my Overland.
Cornish Pasties and Coastal Paths
A few weeks later, the travel bug hit us again — this time we headed for the land of Cornish pasties and clotted cream teas. Cornwall is notorious for being up hill and down dale, but again my Overland coped admirably, never faltering once. We visited stunning beaches which I previously could not have accessed, and my rollator and I even enjoyed a paddle in the calm, turquoise sea! One of my favourite places was Mousehole, where walking over the enormous flagstones around the picturesque harbour was a pleasure rather than an impossible challenge. Another iconic village was Charlestown, with its beautiful Georgian harbour — again, the surrounding cobbles were easy and a pleasure to negotiate.
Seal-Spotting at Horsey Gap
Back in Norfolk, my rollator decided it was time for yet more days out, sampling the coastal terrain of the east coast. We ventured to a favourite spot just twenty minutes away — Horsey Gap — where seals can be seen in their hundreds when they come ashore to give birth to their pups, usually between January and March. My rollator marched confidently over the sand dunes to reach the perfect viewing spot, previously unattainable. It's always a magnificent sight, and one now made so much more accessible to me now that I have my rollator.
Freedom at Holkham Bay
A few days later, we headed for Holkham Bay. We had visited before, but I had struggled with access to the stunning beach. This time there were no limitations — my Overland and I tackled it with composure and ease, and it was wonderful to experience the freedom it gave me to do exactly what I wanted without fear of coming a cropper. We also ventured into Holkham Hall, which is partly accessible, but made more so because of my Overland.
Choosing the Right byACRE Rollator
The byACRE rollators are available in several different weights and sizes. The lightest is the Carbon Ultralight, which is ideal for town life and travelling — it weighs just 4.8 kg. Then there is the Nordic Pioneer, weighing in at 5.9 kg, which is ideal for varied terrain. My own choice, the Carbon Overland, is fantastic for rougher outdoor terrain and weighs 6.7 kg. Making the right choice when purchasing one depends very much on the individual needs of the customer — it is worth contacting the sales office to see whether they are running a demonstration in a department store near you, or otherwise a trip to the Cotswolds is thoroughly recommended. However, if purchasing online is the only option, I understand the team are more than happy to exchange it for another model if the customer feels the wrong choice has been made. Yes, they do seem initially quite expensive by comparison to other makes and styles, but when you consider just how much time is spent using it, the cost becomes irrelevant. They are the Rolls-Royce of rollators — in style, design, comfort and practicality. They enable the user to live a full, normal life — confident in the knowledge that they can go about everyday life once again with confidence, determination and pride.
Keen to learn more about Rosomond's rollator?
About the Author
Rosomond Webb
Rosomond trained as a nurse before raising her three children, after which she turned to writing, contributing to numerous children's annuals and periodicals over the years. She is the author of several children's books, including Jack and Bessie by the Coast and Marsh End Manor. She divides her time between Bedfordshire and rural Norfolk.
Learn more about the author on Rosomond's website.