It’s Time to Meet Fred

Karen Wilson and Fred

I had been walking with my stick to a variety of places around the world. After a long time, walking with one stick and a period of sickness I realised it was time to upgrade. I first tried to walk with two sticks but this was cumbersome making travel and shopping difficult as I never had enough hands. My helpful physio had suggested the Rollator a few months back but I had rejected the suggestion as I didn’t think it was me. However, once I’d got to the point where I couldn’t leave the house as my confidence and ability to walk upright had suddenly disappeared, I knew it was time. Unfortunately, the rollator which had been demonstrated to me had been discontinued. This sent me searching the internet for just the right one. There was a vast range of different options available and we started our search. Some companies provided some of their vital statistics but didn’t give you all of them or tell you how they felt.  We looked at the price, size, seat type and brakes. None seem to have everything but with the shortlist we went to visit a store.  I was surprised to discover how many shops sold rollators, sticks and other equipment.  Heading to the closest I took a look.  There was parking outside and the staff were helpful.  However, with a limited range, it didn’t take long to assess them. There was the Rollator with the solid seat which hit my knees.  There was the Rollator with a metal crossbar that again had the potential to do some serious damage. Discovering that the handle length was important to maintaining my upright posture, it was time to do some more research.

The second shop had a choice of one and a pushy salesman.  In the shop, the rolling walker with a solid seat moved well and was sturdy but it was heavy. This wouldn’t work for getting in and out of vehicles.  So, back we went looking online with other criteria to check.

The simple purchase of a Rollator was proving more complex than I had realised.
The key criteria were:
Price (£100-£550)
Width of frame ,
Handle height (fixed or adjustable 
Handle height range (minimum and maximum)
Handle Depth  ( space for your knees within the frame ,
Handgrip type (contoured or plain)
Handle Brake System
Wheel tim breaks
Weight of Rollator
Turning circle size 
Seat type (hard or soft)
Folding mechanism (1Dimensionor 2Dimensions)
Size when folded
Bag for shopping
Storage Bag for folded Rollator
Colour

Having thought we had found the ideal Rollator; off we went to shop number three. Surprisingly this shop had a walkway so you could try out your potential new purchase.

It rolled well and had a hard seat, and brakes.  However, when it was time to fold it, it only folded in one direction and weighed 7 kg.  I was feeling weak and thought this weighed too much. The helpful shop assistant with his vast knowledge of these devices rolled out another option.  It hadn’t been online and we didn’t know it’s vital statistics but I gave it a go. Surprisingly, it met all my needs.

The rollator handles were adjusted to the right height and I gave it a spin.  It rolled well with a small turning circle and had breaks in the handles.  The seat did not go into my knees when I walked upright.  It was lightweight and collapsed in two direct dimensions and folded into a bag when stored. We even
learnt that it had a bag to clip on the front to store some shopping if required and a clip to store a stick.  This was going to be the one .

Now you asked me why I named the rollator as it’s not normally the thing I do. However, I was going to be spending a lot of time with Fred when I’m out on daily walks when I regain my strength.  My personal trainer suggested I named it and Fred was born. The name was certainly shorter than Rollator and sounded less medical.

Now I appreciate the brakes system as I use it to slow me down when I go downhill or travel over uneven paving or driveways. I even use the brakes to lock the wheels so I can sit in the middle of the park to have a rest as I listen to the birds and take in the beautiful views.  Necessity drove me to meet Fred and he has been useful in helping me regain my stride.  We have now walked round the park, up the hill to the cinema and on the train to London to go shopping.  I am regaining my independence after three months of being taken everywhere. The freedom is great.

Now I’m getting more confident and sometimes leave him at home, swapping Fred for my stick. sometimes he doesn’t suit the location, occasion or my motivation.

Just remember, we are all different so have different requirements and may need different support at different times . I hope that this guide to buying a rolling walking support will help you to find the right one for you so you can maintain your freedom.

Suppliers
Care Co
020 8665 7733
230 Thornton Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 3EU