Thanks for watching everyone, really appreciate your kind words! If you've found yourself on this video recently, you might be interested in this updated video (2024) sharing my new power-chair, how I chose it, and how I accessed some funding: th-cam.com/video/ZHtMX2HdM5s/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared And a tour of said powerchair here: th-cam.com/video/6HnHaiYmZrA/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared 🥰👩🦼➡
I got ME after giving birth to my child. I spent the first three years at home, unable to do anything at all. In the end, I got a diagnosis and then a wheelchair. First a manual one, but it was immediatly clear that I can't manage a manual one, so I was placed on a wait list for a power wheelchair. The paperwork took forever to clear. So once I finally got mine, I cried. It was like I was finally free. I was finally able to be independent, go out and do stuff, but mainly save my energy so that I can do other things than just the very basic stuff. Today I can do a lot more, I'm no longer as fatigued as I used to, I'm not in as much pain as I used to and I don't feel trapped. It isn't just my physical health that improved with the wheelchair, my mental health got better. I also use a walker on the days I can walk or during the winter when I can't use the wheelchair due to the snow and ice. I have an Invacare Storm4, a huge all terrain beast. It can be adjusted in any way, including laying down like you would in a dentist chair. It does not have suspension though and it sucks big time. There's a newer model with suspension now. I'm going to try and have my occupational therapist to upgrade mine. I live in Sweden, so we get one chair from the government. Depending on where you live you can either get it for free or for a small annual fee (I unfortunately pay a fee). As for the financing: There are so many charities, foundations and organisations, both local and global that you can apply for mobility aid funds from. Just search for the ones that might work for you and apply. I don't know how it works in your country but in Sweden, a therapist can help you fill out an aplication. There's also so many accessories to get, so research what works for you and your chair. Power wheelchairs don't do well with cold weather, nor do they do well in snow. Keep that in mind and get winter weather options. There are raincoats for power wheelchairs that work wonders for rainy day weathers, and my favorite; the coldweather bag. It's basically a "sleeping" bag for wheelchairs designed to keep you dry and warm. Mine is lined with wool so it's warm even in really cold weather. Unfortuantely, my lungs hate cold air so I can't be outside at all during fall/winter or I cought my lungs out. I used to have a blanket but they don't really do much. A friend of mine made a cupholder for me in fabric. It can take a large water bottle, thermo mug, any bottle, cup or even snacks. I usually carry a plastic bag to cover the joystic with if it's just light rain. Since it's made of fabric it doesn't break when I hit a wall, or doorframe and it's really easy to push aside and clean. It does have it's perks knowing people who sew professionally.
Hello Pippa. I'm 73, have Parkinson's disease. In my case I suffer with rigidity. I found this video extremely helpful and also humbling! I will never again complain about my condition! Its done me the world of good just listening to you - your lovely sensible nature does you credit! I wish you all you could wish yourself. If you were my granddaughter I would be very proud of you! So bless you from this granma!
Thoughts from my own experience having ME/CFS and using mobility aids: Personally I have very varied days. On a good day I can do a little walking. On my worst days I can't get out of bed. I've been using a few different mobility aids for a few years now and they all have their merits and drawbacks. I use a crutch to help with balance. As in I carry it and sometimes lean on it if I need to. I've used a walker/roller for similar reasons, with the added bonus of being able to sit down and take a break anywhere. Then for the last couple of years I've been using wheelchairs a lot more, because it just allows me to participate so much more without completely "crashing". On average I'd say I could last at least 10x longer in a wheelchair compared to using the walker. I've been using manual wheelchairs up until this week when I finally got a powerchair. I find that even rolling myself in a manual chair is less taxing than walking. It's also slower. But it works well for participating in a shopping trip or something, especially if I'm not alone and someone can push me a bit. That being said, getting my power chair this week, I've managed to go for a "walk" for the first time in over a decade, and I'm very optimistic about the future and the freedom this is gonna give me to participate in things like concerts, football games etc. that I haven't been able to do nearly as much as I'd like over the last decade.
I remember the first time I encountered someone on a bus who had a powerchair that had a USB port. I just kinda looked at it, and then, after overcoming the awkwardness, I asked them "is that a USB port?" They said it was and said they use it to charge their phone. I was like "hell yeah! That's so cool!"
No wasted words. Just concise and clear information delivered with grace and humility. Thank you so much for expending so much of your precious energy on us
when i developed CFS 18 years ago, it really only affected me mentally. Horrible fatigue, brain fog, derealization and PEMs, but I was still strong physically. Eventually accepting my limits and clonazepam, then later dexedrine got me to the point where I was working full-time and it wasn't even much of an issue. Then 7 years ago I developed a post-drug related syndrome and it destroyed me. My biggest problem at this point is muscle weakness, fatigue and depression. So now I'm adapting to the fact that sometimes I can't walk
Wonderful video! 😊💜 I became chronically ill [with suspected ME & diagnosed POTS] a little over a year ago, and just last month I got my first electric wheelchair (after renting manuals, and being loaned a custom lightweight manual chair) 😊💜 I have been in and out of doctors offices trying to find ones that wouldn't gaslight me, and the GP i had when I decided i needed to get a power chair (was housebound at that point) spoke against it, saying it would probably make me worse and he recommended sending me to physical therapy 💀(ableist vibes from that one, he also didn't bother to read any of my notes 😑) Long story short, I fundraised on my own and bought my chair myself. I now have a Fold&Go Magshock, it's a lightweight folding electric chair. This chair has improved so much in such a short time, and has allowed me to go outside again 🥺 Getting doctors approval and guidance is really important and if you can get it, work towards that! But, if you know your body and can afford to - investing in your own mobility aids when you have no supportive doctors can sometimes be the best thing you can do for your health!
Very well said, and I know there'll be so many people who've faced similar experiences! I'm so glad you've found a chair that makes things better for you!
This popped up in my YT suggestions & I'm so glad I watched it. You have a beautiful spirit. I didn't know that the sunflower was a symbol for hidden disabilities! ❤ In fact when I created this account, I didn't know yet that I had a hidden disability. I was unwell already, but I hadn't received my ME diagnosis yet. I'm happy to see you are still posting content & I hope you see this comment & are encouraged.
This is great. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share. I'm 12 years into ME/CFS, and just getting my first chair now. You've been helpful. And yes, I've subscribed - not because you mentioned it at the end of the video, but because I value what you've said, and look forward to hearing more from you in the future.
Thank you for sharing this information. Some mobility and seating clinics that work with Occupational Therapists and ATPs can be given a referral from your doctor (even from a virtual PCP appointment) and they can sometimes come to your home to do a wheelchair evaluation. I hope this helps! (LimbTech in NC, SC, TN USA is an example.) I hope more doctors and people learn about ME/CFS. :)
I’ve just bagged me own set of wheels, Proper sorted! When I’m rollin’ solo, it’s all chill, but when I’m mixin’ with the crowd, I’ve been feelin’ a bit done in, ya know? But get this....I’ve taken up crochet 15years back , like a proper granny . And soon, I’ll be hittin’ up a cafe, no bother. Only thing is, when I’m around folks who ain’t clued up, I get a bit nervy. But your content, keep creating , it’s pure inspiration! Been clickin’ away on Ya TH-cam channel, Your like a Total boss! 😅
Hi Pippa, thank you for this video. I have ME and was lucky enough to be referred to Wheelchair Services, part of the NHS. They gave me a perfect powerchair. It tilts as I can’t sit upright for long. It has been brilliant for my mental health but I have to be careful as I get very tired using it.
Omg..... this is so cool. I have CFS, and i dont want to be tired anymore.... i get SO TIRED. I'm literally physically winded.... even taking a shower just makes me so tired this may sound crazy....but when i take antivirals... I feel so much better. I hope that helps....thank you so much ❤
I want to say ive only just come across your channel and im so glad that im not alone im 31 and have had me/ cfs and fibromyalgia and also Trochlear dysplasia (granding of the knee joint) and other mental health issues including autism and adhd i have felt like though i do need a wheelchair to get around more nowadays and i feel that at my age i should be running around etc but when i cant i really need my wheelchair people look at me and think she doesnt need to be in that where as my father in law is 60 and had a hip op over 20 yrs ago and needs a wheelchair they dont look at him the same
I can really relate to feeling like you're at a point of life where you should be running around and doing all the things. It can be so hard not to compare ourselves with other people! I'm glad you know you're not alone, sending only good wishes your way xx
I’m still watching the video but omg this is so relatable. Learning the term post-exertional malaise is so handy. It describes perfectly what happens to me! Even with little to “moderate” physical activity my body can become exhausted to the point where I am feverish, head pounding and barely able to see straight on the verge of passing out.
Thank you for this informative and supportive video! ❤ I haven't got a diagnosis yet, a year after symptoms began, but now the symptoms are so chronic and disabling, that I'm pretty much housebound and struggling to care for myself. I have a walking stick, but that's it so far and it is a struggle to use when my arms are weak and painful. Definitely time to explore other mobility aids!
Brilliant timing. I'm starting my wheelchair/Motability journey right now. It's difficult to decide what to do first as I need to try electric wheelchairs before I buy but I can't try them from my house. And I don't have the right car yet!! Finding places with wheelchairs or mobility scooters to try is my first step. Then go to a mobility shop for consultation. Getting the wheelchair depends on being able to get a vehicle too. It's so complicated.
It really is, wishing you all the best with it! I've recently found out that some mobility providers will come to you for a free home visit so that might be an option while you're sorting your car!
Thank you so much for this video - so helpful and insightful. I can so relate to all the positives of having a wheelchair since getting an electric one last year. So much more independence and definitely improved my health and energy levels. So glad you brought up the energy drain of using the wheelchair too which most people don’t understand. Wheelchair admin I don’t mind as much but sometimes I find the staring, comments and actual steering and extra thought of chair so tiring I just walk! Definitely would not give up my chair though, it has changed my life for the better.
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing Mina! I completely agree, sometimes it's the things that you'd think would be the least energy-consuming that drain you the most!
Thank you for this video. Until a few years ago my ME was always very mild, to the point I often was confused and not 100% sure I had it. It's since become more mild-moderate, so I'm more sure that I have it, which my gp has always agreed with but because it was always so mild we never persued a specialist or formal diagnosis. I've never been at a point of need mobility aids, but recognise it potentially is in my future, specially as I'm now being tested for arthritis aswell & have pelvic issues & plantar fasciitis 😢 so this video has been useful for me, thank you 😊
Wow! I wish I’d seen this video years ago! Thank you Pippa for sharing this, it should be essential viewing for those muddling through Long Covid like myself. I spent far too long stubbornly resisting adaptations and regret not taking the plunge much sooner. I was searching for mobility scooters vs powerchairs when I found this video (I bought a 2nd hand scooter and it was a game changer, and although it splits into parts and just fits into the car boot, those parts are so heavy!) so am contemplating switching to a foldable electric chair and ramp (there’s so much to think about, more so because I’m tall and heavy so that might well be a limiting factor). I thought the questions raised and your answers to them were fantastic, the ones around ambulatory use and perception by others have been things that bother me, it’s good to know it’s not just me who feels that way! Thank you again for making this - Subscribed! 🙌🙌🙌
You did a great job with this video hun. Have a lovely day. I was born with cerebral palsy and I didn’t know much about ME. You opened my mind to your experience and I admit I was sometimes skeptical. Thank you for your eloquence and energy and passion when you speak. This is the most engaging video I have seen on TH-cam. I really wish you well on your journey. One thing I wanted to tell you is you can get a smart drive put on a rigid manual wheelchair. That battery is 12 pounds only so I was wondering if you’d consider it for your transit chair if it’s compatible. Smart drive is made by perimobil I can’t spell it right. Thank you again. Wishing you a bright future. -Adri
A lot of mobility shops will do free home visits/assessments. This is buying not NHS but with PIP money but they did motability too. I emailed with a couple chairs I liked and features I needed. They arranged to come a few weeks later to my flat (I'm in Wakefield think the actual shop is in Sheffield?). It was helpful because travel would've been impossible. But also meant I could check it fit in my lift/flat and I could open all the doors and gates from it. Trial it on slopes etc. So would recommend even if you could go to shop for that reason. And it was pretty relaxed and plenty of time to measure and ask all the questions 1:1
Links for everything mentioned are in the description box! I originally pinned them in a comment here but that made them behave very strangely, so just click 'show more' in the description above and you'll find them in there. Thanks so much for watching!
This was incredibly helpful. Thank you! I am currently looking into getting a powerchair, hopefully via wheelchair services, all your tips are really handy! Fab video. X
Hi great video! I use a rollator or my eagle hd power chair. I can’t speak for everyone’s experience, but I bought my power chair used on marketplace. I couldn’t try things on in person, so here’s what worked for me: knowing alllll the dimensions - specifically bc I’m plus size. I needed to know if my partner could lift it, etc. I watched countless videos and narrowed my choices down to 5. And then I hunted on reselling places for those top 5. When the eagle came up, I took my time to ask a million questions, and I did try in person before buying. Hope this helps.
Thank you Pippa! I did read your earlier blog a year ago, got a rollator but now seriously thinking about a power chair or mobility scooter…it’s hard to admit one might need it but you’re right and a wonderful example! X
Thank you Pippa! Super useful video. I've probably had undiagnosed mild me/cfs for a year or more, but I am finally recognizing it and getting a diagnosis as I just became "moderate" about a month ago. I'll probably wait a little to see where my condition "stabilizes" before thinking about power chairs, but these stories and considerations are helpful to keep in mind, as I plan to buy a rollator with seat and/or cheap manual wheelchair very soon :)
This is really helpful. I know I need something more substantial than the stick I currently have because I have been effectively housebound since 2019 (when my ME became more severe). I know that the world could be opened back up to me if I had the right tools, and believe me I am desperate to get out.
I've only just stumbled upon your channel and this video is full of so much wonderful information. Full disclosure, I don't have ME, but I do have another severely energy limiting condition. My situation is quite a bit different - I'm in between living situations and am very car dependent in my current home. It truly wouldn't be possible to move a powerchair in and out of my vehicle. I have a lightweight collapsible chair (soon to upgrade which I'm very excited for) with a power add on which I found far easier to manage as far as the wheelchair admin goes. It also had the side benefit of allowing me to manually push myself short distances when I could and slowly build up my endurance without needing to drain myself to do so. I'm able to go far further for longer and while some of that is due to adjustments, some of it is due to the ability to actually just get out within my abilities. When I was initially assessed by my physio team, I was told my walking speed and ability would make me a danger in the community and I'd need to build up more to go out. I deconditioned a lot during that period, rather than being able to build up. It was all I could do to go to physio and the rest of my days between sessions were sleep.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing your experiences! I'm hearing a lot of positive things about power add-ons which is definitely giving food for thought...
There was so much useful information in this video - thank you! I'm a manual wheelchair user looking into powered options at the minute and there's so much to consider - videos like this one make it much easier!
I have just moved back into my parents home because I didn't have the energy to make my own food even if it was delivered and was surviving off fruits and muesli bars. Been here a month and my energy has increased due to parents feeding me. But also I have stools in around the house for me to sit down on when I want to do something in a room and a shower chair. My grandma bought herself a new chair and gave me her old one when I explained I was thinking about it. Now my sister and I go to the shops and I'm the bah lady while she pushes and honestly my brain decides that I have to make racecar noises. I've been diagnosed POTs and suspected chronic fatigue, they suspect because we are still trying to figure out the right medications to manage my POTs as to high a dose can increase fatigue were as to low the high heart rate will cause fatigue. It's a balancing act
You are teaching me so much pippa. I’ve had to come to terms with using a wheelchair if I want to contemplate trying to go out on small trips. Your videos have helped me so much. I really identify with your life’s experiences with chronic illness. I love the idea of an electric chair. I’ve a mobility scooter but that’s quite big . Great for outside but for holidays and shops a power chair is looking more attractive. Thankyou again Pippa xxx
@@LifeOfPippa Hi thanks again, in your opinion, I am aware that very soon I'm going to need a wheelchair for out and about, would you get say a ,£200 off the internet one or save lots and have a custom made one built just for me, thanks so much
Such a helpful video! I'm needing to upgrade my power chair to a mobility scooter ready for the school run next September and this has reminded me of the impact these aids have on us. Thankyou for making this! ❤️
Oh my goodness, you just answered all my questions about mobility aids!!! I just found your channel today! Yesterday I was talking with my family about mobility aids, and how it would help me go out in public more. (I usually only go out shopping every few months because it’s so exhausting) As a young person, I am extremely self conscious about my moderate/sometimes severe CFS. I already have to wear sunglasses in stores because of the awful lights. I don’t want any more attention. But just recently,it has been something I have been thinking about.I was wondering if you ever get motion sick from the power chairs? I get terrible nausea. Like you, I don’t have the strength to wheel myself around. I worry about getting dirty looks and others questioning my illness.😟
I was also wondering if it takes a lot of thought when using a powered wheel chair? I have terrible brain fog, and struggle with making sense of my surroundings especially out in public,with the overstimulation. I don’t want to run into things!😂
That's a really good question! It depends on the day to be honest, it helps a lot on the physical side but if I'm having a bad sensory day or my brain feels extra prickly and sensitive, I won't leave the house at all. Cognitively it does take a bit of extra effort to navigate things, especially in busier areas, but all things considered I got used to it and found it much easier than I expected to at the beginning!
How about having a friend or family member who knows you well to try out mobility aids? Someone who knows your challenges, needs and preferences. I'd say that would give a better image than only listening to the sellers speech. You can tell them to look for specific things and have them compare the different options. If you have the energy, you can even join them via phone or video call. 7:26 I believe also there are sellers that could come to you. Don't know of anyone, but it's worth asking your local shop.
Ciaooo spero che i tuoi desideri si possano esaudire alcuni nn so tutti ti vedo positiva sei giovane anche se ci saranno momenti duri però dalla tua presenza ti vedo forte spererei di si se a volte è no è normale io sono con tutti voi so cosa vuol dire ti auguro tante belle cose sicuramente farai sempre di più belle esperienze ora mi dispiace ma ti saluto e ti auguro tante belle cose x il futuro migliore Davide 🖖🤩
Yes please how do I answer people who ask what’s wrong with you? Sometimes I don’t mind explaining but if it’s someone whose being nosey or who I know is not very gracious with understanding I find it hard to know what to say without being rude. Any suggestions?
"I appreciate that you care, but I don't discuss my medical history with strangers." A warm nod and wheel away if possible! You've assumed the best of them and been very polite, and so they can't really argue with that.
What made you choose an electric wheelchair over a mobility scooter? I have a scooter but I’m wondering if an electric wheelchair would be better or not sometimes.
What a fantastic video! So full of helpful advice. You may have made this a year ago but I’d like to say a big “thank you” from a newbie to my own wheelchair 👩🦽👍
Thanks for watching everyone, really appreciate your kind words! If you've found yourself on this video recently, you might be interested in this updated video (2024) sharing my new power-chair, how I chose it, and how I accessed some funding: th-cam.com/video/ZHtMX2HdM5s/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
And a tour of said powerchair here: th-cam.com/video/6HnHaiYmZrA/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared 🥰👩🦼➡
I got ME after giving birth to my child. I spent the first three years at home, unable to do anything at all. In the end, I got a diagnosis and then a wheelchair. First a manual one, but it was immediatly clear that I can't manage a manual one, so I was placed on a wait list for a power wheelchair. The paperwork took forever to clear. So once I finally got mine, I cried. It was like I was finally free. I was finally able to be independent, go out and do stuff, but mainly save my energy so that I can do other things than just the very basic stuff. Today I can do a lot more, I'm no longer as fatigued as I used to, I'm not in as much pain as I used to and I don't feel trapped. It isn't just my physical health that improved with the wheelchair, my mental health got better.
I also use a walker on the days I can walk or during the winter when I can't use the wheelchair due to the snow and ice.
I have an Invacare Storm4, a huge all terrain beast. It can be adjusted in any way, including laying down like you would in a dentist chair. It does not have suspension though and it sucks big time. There's a newer model with suspension now. I'm going to try and have my occupational therapist to upgrade mine.
I live in Sweden, so we get one chair from the government. Depending on where you live you can either get it for free or for a small annual fee (I unfortunately pay a fee). As for the financing: There are so many charities, foundations and organisations, both local and global that you can apply for mobility aid funds from. Just search for the ones that might work for you and apply. I don't know how it works in your country but in Sweden, a therapist can help you fill out an aplication. There's also so many accessories to get, so research what works for you and your chair.
Power wheelchairs don't do well with cold weather, nor do they do well in snow. Keep that in mind and get winter weather options. There are raincoats for power wheelchairs that work wonders for rainy day weathers, and my favorite; the coldweather bag. It's basically a "sleeping" bag for wheelchairs designed to keep you dry and warm. Mine is lined with wool so it's warm even in really cold weather. Unfortuantely, my lungs hate cold air so I can't be outside at all during fall/winter or I cought my lungs out. I used to have a blanket but they don't really do much.
A friend of mine made a cupholder for me in fabric. It can take a large water bottle, thermo mug, any bottle, cup or even snacks. I usually carry a plastic bag to cover the joystic with if it's just light rain. Since it's made of fabric it doesn't break when I hit a wall, or doorframe and it's really easy to push aside and clean. It does have it's perks knowing people who sew professionally.
Hello Pippa. I'm 73, have Parkinson's disease. In my case I suffer with rigidity. I found this video extremely helpful and also humbling! I will never again complain about my condition! Its done me the world of good just listening to you - your lovely sensible nature does you credit! I wish you all you could wish yourself. If you were my granddaughter I would be very proud of you! So bless you from this granma!
Thoughts from my own experience having ME/CFS and using mobility aids: Personally I have very varied days. On a good day I can do a little walking. On my worst days I can't get out of bed. I've been using a few different mobility aids for a few years now and they all have their merits and drawbacks.
I use a crutch to help with balance. As in I carry it and sometimes lean on it if I need to. I've used a walker/roller for similar reasons, with the added bonus of being able to sit down and take a break anywhere. Then for the last couple of years I've been using wheelchairs a lot more, because it just allows me to participate so much more without completely "crashing". On average I'd say I could last at least 10x longer in a wheelchair compared to using the walker.
I've been using manual wheelchairs up until this week when I finally got a powerchair. I find that even rolling myself in a manual chair is less taxing than walking. It's also slower. But it works well for participating in a shopping trip or something, especially if I'm not alone and someone can push me a bit. That being said, getting my power chair this week, I've managed to go for a "walk" for the first time in over a decade, and I'm very optimistic about the future and the freedom this is gonna give me to participate in things like concerts, football games etc. that I haven't been able to do nearly as much as I'd like over the last decade.
I remember the first time I encountered someone on a bus who had a powerchair that had a USB port. I just kinda looked at it, and then, after overcoming the awkwardness, I asked them "is that a USB port?" They said it was and said they use it to charge their phone. I was like "hell yeah! That's so cool!"
No wasted words. Just concise and clear information delivered with grace and humility. Thank you so much for expending so much of your precious energy on us
when i developed CFS 18 years ago, it really only affected me mentally. Horrible fatigue, brain fog, derealization and PEMs, but I was still strong physically. Eventually accepting my limits and clonazepam, then later dexedrine got me to the point where I was working full-time and it wasn't even much of an issue.
Then 7 years ago I developed a post-drug related syndrome and it destroyed me. My biggest problem at this point is muscle weakness, fatigue and depression. So now I'm adapting to the fact that sometimes I can't walk
Wonderful video! 😊💜
I became chronically ill [with suspected ME & diagnosed POTS] a little over a year ago, and just last month I got my first electric wheelchair (after renting manuals, and being loaned a custom lightweight manual chair) 😊💜 I have been in and out of doctors offices trying to find ones that wouldn't gaslight me, and the GP i had when I decided i needed to get a power chair (was housebound at that point) spoke against it, saying it would probably make me worse and he recommended sending me to physical therapy 💀(ableist vibes from that one, he also didn't bother to read any of my notes 😑)
Long story short, I fundraised on my own and bought my chair myself. I now have a Fold&Go Magshock, it's a lightweight folding electric chair. This chair has improved so much in such a short time, and has allowed me to go outside again 🥺
Getting doctors approval and guidance is really important and if you can get it, work towards that! But, if you know your body and can afford to - investing in your own mobility aids when you have no supportive doctors can sometimes be the best thing you can do for your health!
Very well said, and I know there'll be so many people who've faced similar experiences! I'm so glad you've found a chair that makes things better for you!
(And thank you very much for watching and for the kind words!)
We have a mag shock as well! Love it. Just learned there are even lighter versions out there. Not from that brand. 😊
This popped up in my YT suggestions & I'm so glad I watched it. You have a beautiful spirit. I didn't know that the sunflower was a symbol for hidden disabilities! ❤ In fact when I created this account, I didn't know yet that I had a hidden disability. I was unwell already, but I hadn't received my ME diagnosis yet. I'm happy to see you are still posting content & I hope you see this comment & are encouraged.
This is great. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share. I'm 12 years into ME/CFS, and just getting my first chair now. You've been helpful. And yes, I've subscribed - not because you mentioned it at the end of the video, but because I value what you've said, and look forward to hearing more from you in the future.
Thank you for sharing this information. Some mobility and seating clinics that work with Occupational Therapists and ATPs can be given a referral from your doctor (even from a virtual PCP appointment) and they can sometimes come to your home to do a wheelchair evaluation. I hope this helps! (LimbTech in NC, SC, TN USA is an example.) I hope more doctors and people learn about ME/CFS. :)
I’ve just bagged me own set of wheels, Proper sorted! When I’m rollin’ solo, it’s all chill, but when I’m mixin’ with the crowd, I’ve been feelin’ a bit done in, ya know? But get this....I’ve taken up crochet 15years back , like a proper granny . And soon, I’ll be hittin’ up a cafe, no bother. Only thing is, when I’m around folks who ain’t clued up, I get a bit nervy. But your content, keep creating , it’s pure inspiration! Been clickin’ away on Ya TH-cam channel, Your like a Total boss! 😅
Hi Pippa, thank you for this video. I have ME and was lucky enough to be referred to Wheelchair Services, part of the NHS. They gave me a perfect powerchair. It tilts as I can’t sit upright for long. It has been brilliant for my mental health but I have to be careful as I get very tired using it.
Omg..... this is so cool. I have CFS, and i dont want to be tired anymore.... i get SO TIRED. I'm literally physically winded.... even taking a shower just makes me so tired
this may sound crazy....but when i take antivirals...
I feel so much better. I hope that helps....thank you so much ❤
I want to say ive only just come across your channel and im so glad that im not alone im 31 and have had me/ cfs and fibromyalgia and also Trochlear dysplasia (granding of the knee joint) and other mental health issues including autism and adhd i have felt like though i do need a wheelchair to get around more nowadays and i feel that at my age i should be running around etc but when i cant i really need my wheelchair people look at me and think she doesnt need to be in that where as my father in law is 60 and had a hip op over 20 yrs ago and needs a wheelchair they dont look at him the same
I can really relate to feeling like you're at a point of life where you should be running around and doing all the things. It can be so hard not to compare ourselves with other people! I'm glad you know you're not alone, sending only good wishes your way xx
@@LifeOfPippa thank you keep your spirits up high and continue to do your TH-cam channel 😊
I’m still watching the video but omg this is so relatable. Learning the term post-exertional malaise is so handy. It describes perfectly what happens to me! Even with little to “moderate” physical activity my body can become exhausted to the point where I am feverish, head pounding and barely able to see straight on the verge of passing out.
You’re so much fun to listen to. No lie. I love your accent too
Thank you for this informative and supportive video! ❤
I haven't got a diagnosis yet, a year after symptoms began, but now the symptoms are so chronic and disabling, that I'm pretty much housebound and struggling to care for myself. I have a walking stick, but that's it so far and it is a struggle to use when my arms are weak and painful. Definitely time to explore other mobility aids!
Brilliant timing. I'm starting my wheelchair/Motability journey right now. It's difficult to decide what to do first as I need to try electric wheelchairs before I buy but I can't try them from my house. And I don't have the right car yet!! Finding places with wheelchairs or mobility scooters to try is my first step. Then go to a mobility shop for consultation. Getting the wheelchair depends on being able to get a vehicle too. It's so complicated.
It really is, wishing you all the best with it! I've recently found out that some mobility providers will come to you for a free home visit so that might be an option while you're sorting your car!
Thank you so much for this video - so helpful and insightful. I can so relate to all the positives of having a wheelchair since getting an electric one last year. So much more independence and definitely improved my health and energy levels. So glad you brought up the energy drain of using the wheelchair too which most people don’t understand. Wheelchair admin I don’t mind as much but sometimes I find the staring, comments and actual steering and extra thought of chair so tiring I just walk! Definitely would not give up my chair though, it has changed my life for the better.
Thank you so much for watching and for sharing Mina! I completely agree, sometimes it's the things that you'd think would be the least energy-consuming that drain you the most!
Thank you for this video. Until a few years ago my ME was always very mild, to the point I often was confused and not 100% sure I had it. It's since become more mild-moderate, so I'm more sure that I have it, which my gp has always agreed with but because it was always so mild we never persued a specialist or formal diagnosis. I've never been at a point of need mobility aids, but recognise it potentially is in my future, specially as I'm now being tested for arthritis aswell & have pelvic issues & plantar fasciitis 😢 so this video has been useful for me, thank you 😊
Wow! I wish I’d seen this video years ago! Thank you Pippa for sharing this, it should be essential viewing for those muddling through Long Covid like myself. I spent far too long stubbornly resisting adaptations and regret not taking the plunge much sooner. I was searching for mobility scooters vs powerchairs when I found this video (I bought a 2nd hand scooter and it was a game changer, and although it splits into parts and just fits into the car boot, those parts are so heavy!) so am contemplating switching to a foldable electric chair and ramp (there’s so much to think about, more so because I’m tall and heavy so that might well be a limiting factor). I thought the questions raised and your answers to them were fantastic, the ones around ambulatory use and perception by others have been things that bother me, it’s good to know it’s not just me who feels that way! Thank you again for making this - Subscribed! 🙌🙌🙌
Really helpful 👍🏻 Thanks. Your suggestions have helped to boost my knowledge & confidence around this topic 😃
I have chronic fatigue and copd and use a mobility scooter otherwise I would not be able to go out or be too tired.I am now in my sixties
You did a great job with this video hun. Have a lovely day. I was born with cerebral palsy and I didn’t know much about ME. You opened my mind to your experience and I admit I was sometimes skeptical. Thank you for your eloquence and energy and passion when you speak. This is the most engaging video I have seen on TH-cam. I really wish you well on your journey.
One thing I wanted to tell you is you can get a smart drive put on a rigid manual wheelchair.
That battery is 12 pounds only so I was wondering if you’d consider it for your transit chair if it’s compatible. Smart drive is made by perimobil I can’t spell it right.
Thank you again. Wishing you a bright future. -Adri
A lot of mobility shops will do free home visits/assessments. This is buying not NHS but with PIP money but they did motability too. I emailed with a couple chairs I liked and features I needed. They arranged to come a few weeks later to my flat (I'm in Wakefield think the actual shop is in Sheffield?). It was helpful because travel would've been impossible. But also meant I could check it fit in my lift/flat and I could open all the doors and gates from it. Trial it on slopes etc. So would recommend even if you could go to shop for that reason. And it was pretty relaxed and plenty of time to measure and ask all the questions 1:1
Oh that's brilliant to hear and good to know, thank you so much Verity! 💜
@@LifeOfPippa hope your okay .
Links for everything mentioned are in the description box! I originally pinned them in a comment here but that made them behave very strangely, so just click 'show more' in the description above and you'll find them in there. Thanks so much for watching!
Thank you so much for educating about (physical) disability!
This was incredibly helpful. Thank you! I am currently looking into getting a powerchair, hopefully via wheelchair services, all your tips are really handy! Fab video. X
I'm so glad it was helpful, thank you Rebeccah!
Hi great video! I use a rollator or my eagle hd power chair. I can’t speak for everyone’s experience, but I bought my power chair used on marketplace. I couldn’t try things on in person, so here’s what worked for me: knowing alllll the dimensions - specifically bc I’m plus size. I needed to know if my partner could lift it, etc. I watched countless videos and narrowed my choices down to 5. And then I hunted on reselling places for those top 5. When the eagle came up, I took my time to ask a million questions, and I did try in person before buying. Hope this helps.
Great advice, thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you Pippa! I did read your earlier blog a year ago, got a rollator but now seriously thinking about a power chair or mobility scooter…it’s hard to admit one might need it but you’re right and a wonderful example! X
Thank you so much Jennifer - if you do decide to go for it, I hope your experience is a positive one too! 💜
Thank you Pippa! Super useful video. I've probably had undiagnosed mild me/cfs for a year or more, but I am finally recognizing it and getting a diagnosis as I just became "moderate" about a month ago. I'll probably wait a little to see where my condition "stabilizes" before thinking about power chairs, but these stories and considerations are helpful to keep in mind, as I plan to buy a rollator with seat and/or cheap manual wheelchair very soon :)
Great video. Right to the end x
Thank you so much for watching! 🥰
This is really helpful. I know I need something more substantial than the stick I currently have because I have been effectively housebound since 2019 (when my ME became more severe). I know that the world could be opened back up to me if I had the right tools, and believe me I am desperate to get out.
Everything crossed you find the aids that best work for you!
I've only just stumbled upon your channel and this video is full of so much wonderful information. Full disclosure, I don't have ME, but I do have another severely energy limiting condition. My situation is quite a bit different - I'm in between living situations and am very car dependent in my current home. It truly wouldn't be possible to move a powerchair in and out of my vehicle. I have a lightweight collapsible chair (soon to upgrade which I'm very excited for) with a power add on which I found far easier to manage as far as the wheelchair admin goes. It also had the side benefit of allowing me to manually push myself short distances when I could and slowly build up my endurance without needing to drain myself to do so. I'm able to go far further for longer and while some of that is due to adjustments, some of it is due to the ability to actually just get out within my abilities. When I was initially assessed by my physio team, I was told my walking speed and ability would make me a danger in the community and I'd need to build up more to go out. I deconditioned a lot during that period, rather than being able to build up. It was all I could do to go to physio and the rest of my days between sessions were sleep.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing your experiences! I'm hearing a lot of positive things about power add-ons which is definitely giving food for thought...
There was so much useful information in this video - thank you! I'm a manual wheelchair user looking into powered options at the minute and there's so much to consider - videos like this one make it much easier!
I'm so glad to hear that, thank you Beth! All the best with your search!
I have just moved back into my parents home because I didn't have the energy to make my own food even if it was delivered and was surviving off fruits and muesli bars. Been here a month and my energy has increased due to parents feeding me. But also I have stools in around the house for me to sit down on when I want to do something in a room and a shower chair. My grandma bought herself a new chair and gave me her old one when I explained I was thinking about it. Now my sister and I go to the shops and I'm the bah lady while she pushes and honestly my brain decides that I have to make racecar noises. I've been diagnosed POTs and suspected chronic fatigue, they suspect because we are still trying to figure out the right medications to manage my POTs as to high a dose can increase fatigue were as to low the high heart rate will cause fatigue. It's a balancing act
Really informative and helpful. Thanks for sharing.
You are teaching me so much pippa. I’ve had to come to terms with using a wheelchair if I want to contemplate trying to go out on small trips. Your videos have helped me so much. I really identify with your life’s experiences with chronic illness. I love the idea of an electric chair. I’ve a mobility scooter but that’s quite big . Great for outside but for holidays and shops a power chair is looking more attractive. Thankyou again Pippa xxx
Thank you so much for watching and for the kind words Lisa, here's to plenty of lovely, accessible adventures ahead!
I watched to the end as well. I used a lot of AIDS tools and I have autism and I used a four Wheels walker and I maule wheelchair as well.
Thanks so much for your wonderful video I watched it all and I'm about to change from my rotator to a wheelchair
Thanks so much for watching Christoph, hope the changeover goes well!
@@LifeOfPippa Hi thanks again, in your opinion, I am aware that very soon I'm going to need a wheelchair for out and about, would you get say a ,£200 off the internet one or save lots and have a custom made one built just for me, thanks so much
Such a helpful video! I'm needing to upgrade my power chair to a mobility scooter ready for the school run next September and this has reminded me of the impact these aids have on us. Thankyou for making this! ❤️
Thank you for watching Claire, and best of luck in your scooter search!
Oh my goodness, you just answered all my questions about mobility aids!!! I just found your channel today! Yesterday I was talking with my family about mobility aids, and how it would help me go out in public more. (I usually only go out shopping every few months because it’s so exhausting) As a young person, I am extremely self conscious about my moderate/sometimes severe CFS. I already have to wear sunglasses in stores because of the awful lights. I don’t want any more attention. But just recently,it has been something I have been thinking about.I was wondering if you ever get motion sick from the power chairs? I get terrible nausea. Like you, I don’t have the strength to wheel myself around. I worry about getting dirty looks and others questioning my illness.😟
I was also wondering if it takes a lot of thought when using a powered wheel chair? I have terrible brain fog, and struggle with making sense of my surroundings especially out in public,with the overstimulation. I don’t want to run into things!😂
That's a really good question! It depends on the day to be honest, it helps a lot on the physical side but if I'm having a bad sensory day or my brain feels extra prickly and sensitive, I won't leave the house at all. Cognitively it does take a bit of extra effort to navigate things, especially in busier areas, but all things considered I got used to it and found it much easier than I expected to at the beginning!
How about having a friend or family member who knows you well to try out mobility aids? Someone who knows your challenges, needs and preferences. I'd say that would give a better image than only listening to the sellers speech. You can tell them to look for specific things and have them compare the different options. If you have the energy, you can even join them via phone or video call. 7:26
I believe also there are sellers that could come to you. Don't know of anyone, but it's worth asking your local shop.
Thank you.great information
Ciaooo spero che i tuoi desideri si possano esaudire alcuni nn so tutti ti vedo positiva sei giovane anche se ci saranno momenti duri però dalla tua presenza ti vedo forte spererei di si se a volte è no è normale io sono con tutti voi so cosa vuol dire ti auguro tante belle cose sicuramente farai sempre di più belle esperienze ora mi dispiace ma ti saluto e ti auguro tante belle cose x il futuro migliore Davide 🖖🤩
Yes please how do I answer people who ask what’s wrong with you? Sometimes I don’t mind explaining but if it’s someone whose being nosey or who I know is not very gracious with understanding I find it hard to know what to say without being rude. Any suggestions?
"I appreciate that you care, but I don't discuss my medical history with strangers." A warm nod and wheel away if possible! You've assumed the best of them and been very polite, and so they can't really argue with that.
This response is brilliant, thank you for sharing!
What made you choose an electric wheelchair over a mobility scooter? I have a scooter but I’m wondering if an electric wheelchair would be better or not sometimes.
Sorry just watched until the end and realised you have a post on the difference between mobility scooter vs wheelchair
Here you go! www.careco.co.uk/blog/mobility-scooter-or-power-chair-which-is-right-for-you/
You need a weelchair because of me/cfs?
And autonomic dysfunction, yes!
@@LifeOfPippa oh no! Did you ever made a nerve and muscle test at neurologist? EMG/ ENG
La
Rubbing the nose of a wheelchair user who does not want to be touched is a great way to get bit.
I would bite. Hard.
D
What a fantastic video! So full of helpful advice. You may have made this a year ago but I’d like to say a big “thank you” from a newbie to my own wheelchair 👩🦽👍
Thank you so much for the kind words, so glad it was helpful!
La