To All Those Here Who Are Considering a Wheelchair

By Tommy Bellas

2 min read

To all those here who are considering a wheelchair...

When I first received my wheelchair back in 2018, I just assumed it would be easy peasy. My freedom had arrived, after spending eight months bottled up in the house as I refused to get one. I finally agreed to buy it. Boy was I happy. To go back outside again, to visit the store, to feel the wind brush against me. To feel alive once more.

Traveling by wheelchair takes a lot of effort

What I didn’t think of was it actually takes a lot of effort to travel by wheelchair. My arms are quite weak and to venture off by myself is no no.

Also, I never really thought about it before. But being in a wheelchair outside, you have to constantly focus on the ground in front of you. Looking for dips in the pavement, large rocks or steps. Yes, steps are not fun. More challenging than I thought. I still haven’t mastered them all.

My encounter with a speed bump

One day, I just wanted to go out on my own, a quick trip. I wanted freedom and I had some adventure in my blood. I went out through the front door and ventured off down the street. About halfway down I saw a speed bump. Hey, a little roller coaster for us in chairs. I went up slowly. I took my feet off the chair's footrests to balance myself out. Well, I didn’t do it fast enough. Next thing I knew I was falling over backwards. My chair in one direction and me flying in another.

Luckily two people were walking down the other side of the street and ran over to help me.

Embarrassing yes, humiliating even more so.

Lesson learned, one hundred percent.

Accepting a wheelchair gave me freedom again

Overtime I have mastered everything that there is to know about going out in a wheelchair. But that feeling of freedom, that no matter what the disease does to you, if you have will, determination and courage, you will win.

Never do what I did, to refuse to buy one. To refuse to accept how your life has changed. Take that step, trust me, to have that freedom again, it’s priceless.

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Lori Foster Member
This story really pulled at my heart, <inline-mention user-id="4097782" username="thomasbellas"/> . I am glad you didn't give up. Thanks for sharing! - Lori (Team Member)
Erin Rush Community Admin
Hi, <inline-mention user-id="4097782" username="thomasbellas"/> ! I am so glad you took the time to share your hard won knowledge with the community. As someone who has not required the use of a wheelchair, I hadn't even considered some of the things you mentioned! This was an educational read for me. I am glad you didn't let the challenges stop you from pushing forward and I think it's fabulous that you have some freedom again! Best, Erin, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member.
jerkyjerk Member
Crutches were never my idea of mobilizing as MS worsened and when it was obvious a more sophisticated mobility aid was justified I could not contain myself anticipating my first chair. Wheel- chair NASCAR here I come! I did not hesitate for a moment, the time had come to better my life. Now I live in a powerchair also met with enthusiasm. If this is you boldly strike out when the need arises. Your body will thank you for it. Roll on friends, roll on.
ltorres Member
Any help??! I’m going back-and-forth with this decision. I’m 40 years old and was diagnosed with MS when I was 22. Just unfortunately I cannot take any preventative meds I react to every one and tried injections, pills, infusions. Over the years of RRMS after a decade symptoms just stayed and got worse I developed retinitis pigmentosa which is lost my left eye, Hashimoto high thyroid, lost my fine motor skills can’t write, type hold pen. Brain fog. And my legs are numb, cold, prickly needles all the time! then my last infusion wasLemtrada and that was it for me I ended up getting GBS Gullian Barre Symdrome where I almost lost my life had to re-learn everything. I stayed there for six months. I now walk with a cane but it’s very hard when I go shopping. I put my cane in the cart and use the cart as a guide to hold on to, they told me to still walk as long as I can but it’s so frustrating, I get tired from the car to the door. I pushed myself to do it when do you know it’s time to stop the physical therapy to stop the different walking devices and go to chair?
1. Tommy Bellas Member
 The decision is yours alone to make. It is your safety that takes the highest priority. If you feel your legs cannot travel long distances, or even to your car, then a chair is something you really need to consider. I bought the chair in 2018, that was just for leaving the house. But in January of 2019 my progression came to the point where I had to go fulltime with it. Inside and out of the house. My body told me it was time. Always listen to what your body is telling you.