What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a long-term progressive condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in joints. Your hands, feet and wrists are commonly affected, but it can also cause problems in other parts of your body. These issues can also lead to regular tiredness combining in a reduction of independent mobility and an ability to achieve goals during the day. However with the right kind of mobility scooter, your fatigue can be reduced as walking to visit friends or the shops can be partly replaced by driving. For example, you can focus on driving to the shopping centre and then park up ready to walk around when you are there. Using a mobility scooter outside of the home can also give you more energy to walk around the house or the garden. This way the time and distance you walk can be managed more effectively and discomfort can be reduced whilst still remaining active.
Mobility Scooter for Arthritis
If you have Arthritis, it is important to choose a mobility scooter that has ample legroom and a supportive seat such as a TGA Supersport, Vita S or Breeze S. A spacious mobility scooter provides room to stretch your stiff legs and avoids knees been cramped next the control tiller. The Supersport is a cult-classic Harley Davidson mobility scooter from TGA that resembles more of a Harley Davidson motorbike than a traditional mobility scooter. Finished in black and chrome this eye-catching 3-wheel mobility scooter can be specified with a longer chassis so the floor well is perfect for a relaxed leg position. It is important to note that 3-wheel scooters will always provide greater leg room that 4-wheel models as there is only one wheel arch in the middle, not two either side. Its generous floor well also helps you avoid excessive bending of stiff joints so comfort is maximised, especially if you have longer legs. The Supersports steering action and controls are also designed to be easy to use and positioned closer to your body so that Arthritic hands and shoulders can be comfortably positioned. They only require minimal pressure to operate so complete control of the scooter is strain-free even with limited dexterity. The accelerator lever can be set up on either the left or right hand side dependent on which is your stronger hand. If you are looking for further accelerator options such as twist grips or foot pedals then the TGA Breeze S4 mobility scooter offers these choices.
A supportive or orthopaedic seat is another key feature of a mobility scooter that will help when living with Arthritis. Seating design on the Breeze S is fully adjustable with a backrest that can be angled to match your natural driving position and swing-up armrests ensure access is unhindered. This ability to adjust the seat configuration is important so you can relax your arms and shoulders at the right height when driving. Getting on and off is safe and simple as the whole seat can be rotated 90 degrees so you can place you feet on the ground beforehand. The TGA Vita S and E models have excellent active suspension so a smooth ride is assured again helping to reduce stress and strain on any sore joints.
TGA Supersport owner Anne Sprint:
Anne Sprint, 67 from West Yorkshire, has been able to continue her lifelong passion for travel. Anne has rheumatoid arthritis which means she can drive but when parked up, she struggles to walk far. To solve this she takes an off-road 3-wheel scooter with her – a TGA Supersport. With her large motorhome as a base and the scooter garaged inside with ramps, she has explored most of the UK including remote places such as the Outer Hebrides and Orkney Islands. In Anne’s 40 years of touring she has also taken her scooter and motorhome across France, Belgium and Holland.
“I’ve travelled all my life; you can’t beat it. Without my Supersport I’d have lost that feeling of freedom. As my husband still works I go away most of the time on my own so need a reliable piece of kit. In all the year’s I’ve had my scooter, it’s never failed on me. It also lets me walk my two dogs Taya and Derby who come with me, they are getting on a bit now at 15 so also ride on the footplate! Having the scooter and motorhome have been the perfect combination for me to keep travelling whilst avoiding lots of people. As I have an autoimmune disorder it is always best for me to isolate as best I can – my scooter and motorhome let me keep myself to myself. I now know of so many secluded places I can enjoy and without crowds. I say to anyone who enjoys camping, the outdoors, going off road, discovering unusual and remote places, you’ll do no better than getting a Supersport.”
Pictured: TGA scooter user, Anne Sprint on her Supersport
