How the byACRE Ultralight rollator brought back my independence

Introduction

I was in my mid 50's, over 20 years ago, when I first started noticing some mobility problems. It took some time to be diagnosed but I eventually found I had inherited an ultra rare muscle wasting condition (a type of muscular dystrophy called, Myotilin based Myofibrillar Myopathy). It didn't bother me too much in the beginning but as it is a progressive condition I soon found it easier to get around with a stick.

Walking Sticks

I had to swallow my pride at first, as I didn't want to appear old before my time, but I soon changed my attitude and would buy a whole variety of colourful and funky sticks. I would pick a stick that matched the outfit I was wearing. Those folding sticks travelled everywhere, as I love to travel. My friends would have fun dancing with them on girl's weekends in such places as Amsterdam, Nice, Brussels and Prague! After retirement in my 60's, I travelled on my own to New Zealand and Japan before my mobility worsened, plus lots of other trips with my partner or my friends.

Eventually I needed two sticks as I slowed down and my balance worsened. I invested in a mobility scooter for long distances, that would fit in the car, when folded and then a rollator for indoors and walking shorter distances.

I have attended aqua aerobic classes twice or three times a week since I retired. This helps to retain what muscle strength I still have. At first I would be using a stick to walk from the car park, and then my rather weighty rollator, which I could just manage to lift in and out of the car. My partner and I also invested in a larger car and had a hoist fitted for the mobility scooter (called Edna, after my mother). I could manage to work the hoist on my own, so continuing with my independence, which is so important to anyone with a disability. This was in 2019.

Then in 2020 we all went into lockdown! I could now no longer exercise in the hotel pool, where I was a club member, therefore my ability to exercise, so retaining my muscle strength, was limited. As a result my condition worsened considerably. I lost a lot of my ability to stand unaided, as I needed to hold onto furniture or anything solid, to stand upright. If I fell I was now unable to get back to my feet without a lot of help.

I now found that I couldn't lift the rollator into the car as I used to and my balance was now so bad I also wasn't able to use the hoist for the mobility scooter, on my own, as I could so easily fall. Now I was reliant on my partner, Alan, or a family member to come with me whenever I set off in the car. I was losing my independence...and also some confidence!

When the aqua classes started again Alan would drive me there and check I got in to the building ok, and collect me later in the morning. The hotel pool isn't ideal for disabled access and I could just use my rollator to the top of the steps that lead down to the pool level and then, very slowly, get to the poolside with two sticks. The regular members would very kindly help me to get in and out of the pool and back up to my rollator at the end of the class.

This has continued over the last few years, with me getting more and more frustrated that I couldn't just set out in the car on my own as I used to. I was thinking of a way round this for some time, then, one evening I started searching online for a very light-weight rollator, wondering if this could be the answer.

Hello byACRE

This was when I first came across the byACRE Carbon Ultralight rollator.

I was amazed at its weight, at only 4.8 kilograms and loved its streamlined style, with a good range of colours. The only problem was the price. I pondered on whether I should take the plunge for some time. I was encouraged by the video of the woman lifting the rollator into her car so easily before she set off driving down the street and I decided that this could be the answer to my problems. Several companies, at a variety of prices, were selling the byAcre. After a lot of consideration I decided on Assist Mobility as it was a UK company and a relatively reasonable price. Especially when I could have VAT removed as a disabled person.

So, I took the plunge and bought it! I didn't have long to wait before it arrived, so very good service. It came fully assembled in a sturdy, easy to open box. All I had to do was alter the height of the handles, which was very simple. I was delighted with the weight as I could lift it with one hand. The small bag that came with it was easy to hook on to the rollator, or can be used as a shoulder bag with the strap provided.

Trying out the Ultralight

Now to try it out! I was happy that I could sit on it, as I did with the previous rollator. This is an essential feature as it is the safest way for me to access low cupboards, take items out of the fridge or just rest when there are no nearby chairs. I can push myself up to a standing position using the handles, always making sure the brakes are on. I believe I am walking better with it too as the handles face forwards, so I stand more upright when closer to the rollator.

The main test was using it in the car so I could set off on my own once again, and it passed it with flying colours! I found it was streamlined and light enough for me to lift it over the steering wheel to the passenger side once I was safely seated in the driving position. So not having to stand with shaky legs whilst I put it in the back of the car, then struggle to reach the drivers seat.

I was a little nervous the first time I set off, on my own, to my aqua aerobic class once more, but it went very smoothly. There was an added bonus in that I didn't need help from my friends to get in the pool as I could lift the byAcre down the steps with one hand, once I had got down myself using the rail. No need to take sticks with me for the slow, wobbly walk to the pool steps. I still need my friends help to get up the steps at the end of the session, but what an improvement. Everyone was impressed. Alan was impressed too as he wasn't tied to taking and collecting me a couple of times a week.

Living with the Ultralight

I am now free to set off to see family and friends and attend meetings and appointments whenever I need to. I am still working on using the hoist on my own for Edna, the mobility scooter, but I will soon get the hang of it.

I also purchased the carry case for the rollator. This will be useful when flying, to protect the rollator and for ease of carrying, with the shoulder strap. Alan carried it on board the cruise ship on a recent holiday, whilst I boarded on Edna.

So, altogether a brilliant success and I think money well spent.

There are some minor blips though. The small bag that comes with the rollator needs the end of the zip strengthening as the zip slider has slide of completely, and did the same on a replacement bag. Also, when rising from a seated position on the rollator, my clothes will often cling to the handles, so I have to free myself before I can get up. I guess this would be sorted with the wider version but I wanted the lightest possible. I will just have to make sure I keep my weight down!!

Learn More About my Rollator

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About the Author

Mary Croft

I was born on a farm on the borders of Yorkshire/Lancashire in January 1948. In those days, if you didn't pass to go to the Grammar School you left school at 15 having not taken any exams. So that was me!

As I had artistic skills I started work as a Design Reproducer for Calico Printers Association, tracing the individual colours of a fabric design so they could be etched onto copper rollers. I did this till my marriage when I was only 18.

I then lived in an isolated cottage, bringing up my two children, whilst my husband worked at a nearby farm. In my late 20s I started a two-year NNEB. course, at a college so I could work with young children. Whilst there I took other exams and found I had a brain, as I did well!

On qualifying as a Nursery Nurse I spent a good many years working in a Nursery School, alongside qualified teachers. I built up confidence in myself, and the trauma of a divorce pushed me into applying for, and successfully beginning (at the age of 41), a four-year degree course, so I could become a teacher myself, my specialist subjects being Education and Art, with Qualified Teacher Status.

In the third year of the course, I took the opportunity to join a small group of younger students in an exchange with a university in New Haven, Connecticut, for teaching practice with young children in a nearby school. This was a brilliant opportunity and with the added bonus of being able to purchase a Delta airline ticket at an amazing price (tourist only), for a month's unlimited travel around the United States on standby, filling up spare seats. I was one of five students travelling together and, with a driving holiday at half term during the teaching practice, we visited 20 states at least! I have travelled to several other states with Alan, my partner, since, so know the USA well.

The only drawback was I had to leave my six week old, granddaughter for 4 months to go to the states. A year later I qualified with a 1st Class BA Honours Degree QTS, so all worth it. I worked in primary then a special school until my retirement. I still dabble in art and craft activities and I have four grandchildren plus one great grandchild, and another on the way. The rest is written above.