My new mobility aid gives me a taste of freedom

After a long stretch of cold and gray, the sun popped out this week, bringing with it warmer temperatures. I was thrilled for a reprieve from the body-aching winter, ready to get outside. Thankfully, my motorized rollator/transport chair from Rollz had just arrived, and it was the perfect chance to test it out. The device can shift from a manual rollator — a walker with wheels and a seat — to a motorized transport chair, which is a wheelchair with four small wheels.

I’ve been on the fence about a motorized chair for several years. Since starting the hypoparathyroidism treatment Yorvipath (palopegteriparatide), I’ve been able to push myself to walk up to a mile and do low-impact exercise a few times per week. I have a manual rollator/transport chair from Rollz as well, which is light enough for me to carry down stairs and lift into my truck myself. I can use the rollator function until I’m fatigued, and then switch to my chair to enjoy the rest of the outing.

The issue with a manual transport chair is that someone always has to push me. Unfortunately, due to my muscle spasms and fatigue, I’m unable to self-propel using a traditional wheelchair.

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After so many years of being barely functional before my new treatment, I have been craving more independence. I’m finally able to travel again, and I want the option to do so with less worry. My plans must consider accessibility as well as my energy level and whether someone is available to push my chair. When I received the opportunity to preorder the motorized chair during a Black Friday sale, I decided it was time to stop waiting and reach for what I wanted.

I want to be able to control my motion when I use my mobility aid. I want to hold Mr. Heather’s hand as we move along, even when I’m rolling, instead of him pushing me from behind. When I travel or go on an adventure, I want to harness my independence more so I can enjoy my time with my people, rather than being in front of the group where I can’t participate in conversation.

Heather Novak, giggling, uses her Rollz Motion Electric. (Courtesy of Heather Novak)

My new mobility aid isn’t perfect. At around 60 pounds, it’s too heavy for me to lift into my truck or carry out the door and down the stairs myself. This did make me question if I should keep it. But once Mr. Heather set it down on the sidewalk and we started walking/rolling together, I fell in love.

My chair allowed me to chase him, goof off with him, and hold his hand as we enjoyed the sunshine and warmer air. We both laughed loudly when I got distracted and rolled into a lawn or almost ran over his toes.

I have yet to give my chair a name, which will be the final step in adopting it into my collection, but I’ve already decided to keep it. Anything that makes me laugh, feel more myself, and be more in control of mobility is worth it. I’m already making plans to visit places that will be easier to explore with a motorized chair, like the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Zoo.

I’m grateful that I can afford to get the mobility aids that work best for me, and even happier that my new chair is giving me more of the independence I’ve been craving.

Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.