♿️WHY DO YOU NEED A WHEELCHAIR IF YOU CAN WALK? 

I hope this video is of use to some of you, and helps raise more awareness on why people may need to use a wheelchair, even if they can walk. I know a lot of you have been asking me about this topic, and a lot of you struggle with friends and family, who find it hard to understand. Please feel free to share this video on your socials. Gem xxx

I assume that someone is using a chair for the same reason they might wear glasses or have a hearing aid, because they need it.

Another reason people might use a wheelchair: movement disorders. There are so many types of movement disorders, but they can make walking difficult, especially long distances.

M.E/C.F.S here, some days ill walk around my local shop without much of an issue, then the next day ill be using my wheelchair (for those low spoons days!) and ill get the workers there asking "oh, what happened to you?" "what have you done now?", with a lot of effort, i can just about hold back my eye roll and laugh it off so i dont have to explain Love this video and i love that you spread awareness

Whoop whoop, another EDS wheelchair user here! Two years ago I only used it when I went shopping or something, but now I can not walk anymore. (Well.. I can walk 1 minute, so I can walk from chair to chair)

Thanks for producing this! I've had Long Covid for a year and a half with chronic fatigue and chronic leg pain that has basically made me a shut-in. I'm in the process of applying for a chair right now through my insurance with the full support of my doctor and PT. It'll be nice to have a social life again!

I get fed up with medical staff thinking my wheelchair is only reason I am ill as it has made me unfit. 🙄

I am a part time wheelchairuser because of my multiple sclerosis. On my bad days I need it desperately and on some of the spare good days I can walk short distances. I remember so well when my neighbour watched me leaving the house without my wheelchair and later in the afternoon returning in my wheelchair. She looked stunning!! Never forget that face! And some people only know me in my wheelchair and are ver surprised when I open the door standing and only using a cane. Well, it depends on good and bad days as I said and it also depends on what the plans are for the day. But when someone asks me about why I am in my wheelchair I answer: because I need it. And nothing more. That leaves them silent. Wishing you a great day! Gem, thanks for this wonderful video! sincerely Britta aka busdriverwithms

I've actually had the opposite experience. I have Spina Bifida and walk with crutches. I've been asked numerous times why i don't just use a wheelchair. One lady kept at it after her initial question that i answered that i don't use one because i am able to walk on crutches. Later, she said "I think you would do so much better in a wheelchair. It would be so much easier for you". I finally had enough and told her she is only seeing one short period of time in my life and it may look to her that i am struggling, bur I'm not. It's just how I walk. I also told her my house has steps up into it and is very small so a wheelcair wouldn't work in the house. Furthermore, walking is my exercise and keeps my strength up. I think i don't have a lot of the problems other people with SB have when they are in wheelchairs because it also helps my circularion. I said all of this, rather irritated, in fromt of about 10 people. I didn't care. She had no right to tell me what she thinks is best for me.

Loved this I’m sharing it everywhere! I have eds fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome so walking far is not an option, my chair helps me to go for shopping trips and days out that just wouldn’t be an option otherwise xx

Thank you for talking about this. People aren't aware of ambulatory wheelchair users and it's frustrating... it can be especially hard to read accusatory and awful comments from paralyzed wheelchair users towards wheelchair users who aren't paralyzed and can walk.

I have fibromyalgia and use a chair sometimes, my husband has diabetes, neuropathy and kidney disease which cause pain and fatigue so he uses a chair when we are out and about also. Another reason someone may use a chair is POTS, which is a disorder that can cause sudden fainting because the blood pressure drops suddenly with certain movements. So a wheelchair can be very useful for that, I know some people with POTS need a chair that is angled back to prevent fainting in a sitting up position.

Thank you for this so helpful I have brain injury fibromyalgia and vertigo as well as chronic pain and legs refuse to work correctly .I’ve just recently started going out in a electric chair as was in for a year.some people stare at you some laugh others including my family have been fantastic .you always make me feel much better when I watch these videos thank you x

Thank you so much for making this video. I have POTS and have only recently started using mobility aids, though I should’ve done so years ago. The stress of being confronted is real and always on my mind. I hope everyone sees this video.

Thank you so much! Walking and standing more than a short distance is incredibly hard for me, due to lupus (extreme fatigue) and scoliosis. We have recently made the decision that I would benefit from a chair, and I've been incredibly nervous about the reactions I'll receive. :/

I have EDS and many associated co-morbidities. I wouldn't have the same quality of life without my Aero Z and Smart Drive. Falling and breaking my wrist in 2 places due to a hip dislocation was the final straw for myself and my doctors.

Thank goodness for this video. I have just got an electric wheelchair, I can walk but struggle after a short time due to back and joint disorders. I get asked the same thing, if I can walk, why use a chair.

7:47 You totally nailed cerebral palsy. There is a variety of symptoms tho. Some of us can walk others don't. I prefer being in my chair as it's easier in my everyday life.

I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a brittle bone disease. I broke and fractured dozens of times my limbs when I was younger. Even though I'm mobile enough to walk somewhat a manual chair makes me able to get around easily. There are varying degrees of severity with OI, and others I know with the condition use a chair to different extents for different reasons. Can't tell you how many times strangers have seen me stand or transfer and asked "why i'm in that thing." Thanks for making this awesome video!

Thank you for your videos! I’ve had severe scoliosis, and other spinal conditions for over 20 years. I am now at the point that I cannot walk or stand for more than 5 minutes (15 if I take steroids). I am researching electric wheelchairs and scooters so I can once again travel, go to museums, etc. I feel guilty and often think I don’t deserve a chair. I appreciate hearing from ambulatory wheelchair users.

I'm a wheelchair user, and for awhile my family didn't believe I needed a wheelchair since I'm not paralyzed. They learned real quick why when they saw me transfer from the wheelchair to a regular chair. They saw my legs just don't move for me anymore. Now the eyes have quit rolling so loud. lol

Being hyper mobile with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia can make life very tough so chair is Essential thanks for the great vids I recently developed functinal neurological disorder now Im off my legs withh loo issues too hoping to improve Chin up being positive so important cheers for the lighthearted support great job

I have fibromyalgia. I used to choose to walk quite often but after a severe knee injury, it's become too painful collectively for me to continue doing so. I'm quite happy with my wheelchair but because I can stand, a lot of people think I'm faking it or am just too lazy to walk. It's incredibly frustrating, so thank you for spreading awareness on this issue!

Hello from Ashburton, New Zealand, I have electric wheelchair my diagnosis is Functional neurological disorder, F.N.D, started with hyper mobility at age 10 Fibromyalgia age 18, miagranes both of my children have EDS type 2 diagnosis with fibromyalgia an migraines. An one is on crutches still mobile but steady decline while our other has scoliosis as well. i use a chair to manage my fatigue and helps with my f.n.d pain. I found this channel looking for other positive people who love life but it's a challenge.

Also Hybrid Wheelchair, Which is what I use with my CFS/ME. its a Manual wheelchair or Electric wheelchair depending on what setting I set it. you do need to set up the wheels and cant do both at the same time as that is dangerous but lets say I'm on a hill and go up using the electric part ,when I'm up I can(while still sitting) push the motor up and let the wheels go free and then I'm in Manual mode :). However It's a very heavy one so I can't really manually push myself but when the motor runs out , people can push me or I can walk behind it while still having some extra support. It's also Thanks to you for finally taking this step to be comfortable enough to get my wheelchair and it's changing my life, I can finally go out again and live my best life as a 23

Hi you mentioned cerebral palsy (cp) which I have. Cp is a result from a brain injury when a person is under 2 year of age. It effects the communication between your muscles and your brain which leads to spams, weekness, and in bad cases being paralyzed. I am lucky enough to be able to walk with the help of crutches but on bad or long days I use a scooter. I hope this helps. :)

I also have a manual reclining wheelchair with elevating legrests which is what I used a lot when my ME/CFS (and POTS) was more severe and before I had my rigid manual wheelchair (which I’m hopefully getting a SmartDrive for soon). The downside is its weight and size but it’s great for when I need to be more reclined / lying down. It’s a lifesaver during ER trips and 6+++ hour waits.

I USE A WHEELCHAIR FOR TRANPORTATION BECAUSE I HAVE LOST ABOUUT HALF OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY LOWER BODY DO TO WHEN I WAS WAS 13 I WAS HIT BY A CAR. : ( BUT I SURVIVED SO DO NOT FEEL TO BAD. I ONLY LOST HALF OF MY LOWER RIGHT LEG AND I AM SO PROUD OF HOW I AM NOT THAT UPSET ABOUT IT I AM JUST READY FOR WHAT WILL COME UP NEXT.

Thanks for this video, I have the same issues with using a wheelchair, I have HNPP , which varies from day to day month to month, if I need to go any distance then I need my chair , or wear leg braces that hurt , but people look shocked when in town and I get out of my chair and walk , have to add I have only started to use a chair as I been battling with what will people think thing , and it’s helped seeing videos like yours explaining use of chairs , many thanks

Since I perform as a mermaid I've had to use a couple of borrowed wheelchairs on occasion when performing, because during that time I can't walk at all and am otherwise immobile or have to be carried (except if I'm in the water). Don't even get me started on being in a freezing cold not too accessible building for a dry event, which was a bit of a faff because I couldn't move the chair myself and the people who were trying to help me couldn't always be by my side o-o' nearly got stuck in the bloody loos... but for a pool gig I once got to be wheeled over and lowered in by this really cool poolside wheelchair/lift thing. It was wonderful and saved me a lot of bother, so it makes me really happy thinking about how brilliant it must be for those who regularly need it!

After a prolonged period of tests and re-tests I have have recently been diagnosed with ME/CFS with Fibromyalgia which along with a couple of other medical conditions results in my having an inability to walk more than a few yards without severe pain and exhaustion. Thanks to your video and the comments of those who took the time to leave responses, I got the confidence to purchase a chair without feeling guilty about doing so (I can stand, although only for a limited time). It has been already proven invaluable to me as I was able to attend my mothers funeral without worry, and to go to a shopping centre with a friend for the first time in over a year. I would recommend anyone who has difficulties walking to watch this video, read the comments and realise that you are not alone.

I had a broken back and I was in a wheelchair for 3 months and I was told I didn't need it

I have a Bone Disease [AVN] which means Avascular Nercrosis. Which is dying of the bones.I could have a Bone Biopsy to find out exactly the true name of the disease, but at this point why go through that. It wouldn't change anything. I've had 17 bone Surgeries since1990. It was caused by being on Steroids for 2yrs . I have had a Manual Wheelchair since 1992, but I still walked when the pain wasn't too bad.I now use a Power Wheelchair. In 2001, I had a left shoulder replacement & it has now broken the bones it was hooked into & it can't be fixed. And my other shoulder is also messed up.And in 2005 they fused my right foot where it wouldn't move & now the bones in it has broken apart. So that is why I have to use a Wheelchair.

i have multiple sclerosis and cant walk or stand for long periods of times because my legs feel like there going to give out and with my balance issue also. so i do use my wheelchair and i do get looks like why is she in a wheelchair if she can walk and i am 30 so they think she is young. Especially when i use my handicapped tag for my car i get alot of negative stares.

I can walk, however due to the condition of my joints, my Doctor doesn’t want me to. I am limited to 30 minutes on my feet per day

Thanks for doing this article. I have several friends with some of the conditions mentioned who are ambulatory wheelchair users. They get asked the same sort of questions and also the obligatory online abuse from the ignorant masses. Take care 👍 ☺

I had cauda equina syndrome and disc compressed spinal cord at L2. Surgery was delayed so I have zero sensation buttocks and paralysed left lower leg now and partial sensation right leg. I can not walk more than around house and only when I wear leg splints. I’m new to using the chair but it has let me be so independent again! X

I am epileptic and at a very high risk of falls due to one particular type of seizure that I have. I am now being considered for a power chair now because of my falls

I have been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome as well as epilepsy and a heart condition amongst others i do use a frame inside my home and my own wheelchair when im with my carers outside my home I have carers 4 times per day and restbite twice per week for 4 hours My eyesight is also failing me My wheelchair gives me that independence but im also safe

Hi guys ive got limb girdle muscular dystrophy and until about a year and a half I was able to get to my automatic jeep but now I can barely get around the house can't walk unless I'm holding on to stuff like walls doors and people if I let go I fall ,I hate falling because people don't understand that I have to lock my knees to stand up if they aren't locked I just fall again ,I'm now getting a n electric wheel chair that lifts you up onto your feet I really hope it works because if not I'm house bound for good s

I get this all the time and that's just from family. I'm a part time user. My usage has increase with age and deteriorating disability.

I have fibromyalgia. Pronounced fie-bro-my-al-guh. I use a wheelchair when I have to walk a lot. If I don't, my muscles can seize up on me and cause excruciating pain, esp in my neck. Stopping the pain is an uphill battle once it starts, so prevention is the key. The seized muscles are caused by myofascial pain syndrome. Which can be a part of fibro also. Fibro is a constellation of several symptoms, rather than one illness. IBS is typical with fm also. Irritable bowel syndrome. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes symptoms such as musculoskeletal pain, memory issues, balance problems, and pain all over the body. Experts don't know what causes it, and there is no cure for it. Diagnosis is done by exclusion. Meaning, once we get tested for Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus and other conditions which come up negative, along with testing for tender points in the body, fm will be the official diagnosis at that point.

I have painful nerve damage in my spine that has slowly weakened my low back, hip and leg muscles. Originaly caused by a significant low back injury, but I was warned thatas I age weakness and loss of balance might become issues since there's no way to heal or repair nerve damage of the spine. It also actually causes 24/7 pain from my hips down both legs and into my feet. Yet it is the weakness and loss of balance that puts me in my wheelchair. Most people are understanding but some will frown or assume I am just being lazy if/ when they see me move my legs or sometimes walk behind my chair to relieve cramping or spasming muscles. I cannot navigate stairs, inclines or uneven ground because my legs will not support this type of function. There are hot springs where I live and young adults and children constantly crowd around the steps and hand railings where one enters and exits the pools. This forces me to ask people to please make way so I can pass through, which gets me glared at and they'll barely lean away without making space for my feet to walk the steps into/ out of the pool while also holding the hand rail for support. It is only after they see me losing balance, or my insistence that I may fall on them if they do not make room, that they will begrudingly move over. Usually just as I am passing they get glimpse of the numerous surgical scars on my hip, ankle, foot, and possibly back that's when they change attitudes and make genuine apologies to me. These hot springs are known around the world for being used to supplement physical recovery from injuries and yet even then people are frequently rude in attitude. It does be one frustrating.

A brilliant informative video, I've got ARK (ankylosing spondylitis) which fuses the spine, and chest, it also makes me blind from time to time (uveitis) plus its caused my heart to have swollen on the left side (left ventricular Cardiomyopathy) plus my aortic valve gets stuck from time to time which means I hit the floor rather hard (fyi I don't bounce lol) there are numerous other side effects etc... and there are thousands of us. Again a great video because people need to know these things. Because unless you've got a "bit missing" people think you don't need the chair...

I use a cane, rollator and for longer distances a powerchair. This winter I will go on 3 cruises. I will have a RU-vid channel to help people with mobility issues from cane users to powerchair users have a better time on their cruise.

I'm an ambulatory chair user IE I can walk a little. I have a chair and mobility scooter to get around. I can use a Zimmer indoors but it's very tiring and painful but I push on.

I looked into this video because I use a cane pretty much wherever I go.. I have arthritis and joint issues and standing for long periods of time is IMPOSSIBLE. I can't stand for more than 5 minutes than experiencing progressively worse pain and hot flashes and dizziness.. I struggle with using my cane because it hurts my wrist and doesn't really help. when I go to the store I use the motorized mobility scooters, but I'm 16 and get scrutinized by oldfarts.. should I start using a manual wheel chair so I can do every day stuff? going to the mall is EXTREMELY painful and I can't do it even with my cane.. having a wheel chair would be helpful. how do I ask my parents? help..

Don't forget neurological conditions, I've started to use a crutch/cane but I don't know if my condition will progress.

Thank you for this video. It’s so helpful.

I have connective tissue disorder and ostearthritis.I can walk,but not a normal distance

I have POTS and can’t stand very long at all. Without my wheelchair I can’t go hardly anywhere but I can stand and walk from place to place in my house. I don’t think people get it when I seem fine for those short distances why I need the wheelchair to go out. I’d rather not faint in the first 5 minutes of being in a store.

POTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) is another one

I have EDS, Crohn's, and Hashimoto's and a wheelchair allows me to leave my house without it being a safety concern.

Hi how are you feeling today, I have arthritis in my right hip, left knee and my spine on top of fibromyalgia, I was just wondering for the likes of me who will only use a chair when I am out and about, what price and quality of chair do I need, thanks 🙏 xx

I have EDS and ME

What is wrong with the CCs?? They show the sentence that was before underneath what she's saying at the time

I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user and I have systemic Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dermatomyositis, with chronic pericarditis (inflammation of the heart lining), non-epileptic seizures, Degenerative Disc Disease and spinal problems from an accident. Using my wheelchair helps to keep my heart rate down, causes less fatigue and muscle weakness, joint pain, muscle pain, and overall keeps me from crashing as hard. I'm able to do more and be more present cognitively with my family because of how much it helps me. Thank you for talking about this! 💜🫂

Hi, I use a chair and suffer from adhesive arachnoiditis

Gem I just realized a funny thing you could do with your wheelchair handels! you could take one off and smack someone on their butt when in your way! ;D (wait that sounds a little like something my dad would do). Anyway the doctors didn´t find anything on my MRI, and they blame me for being inactive and thats why I have an horrible escalating pain in my back. The thing is that it has become chronic and they won´t help me. Apparently they don´t listen when my dad says that it´s weird that I´ve gone from being as active as I can to not being able to walk long distances in a short period of time. I´ve had this for about 7 months now and I was born with chronic tachycardia so I´m waiting to get this out of my way so I can get my wheels so I can get a job!

Is it “normal” to use a wheelchair if you have scoliosis and you start having bad back pains?

Ataxia Parkinson’s disease Amputee Cancer Spinal cord injury Brittle bone disease,to name a few.

Hi gem I find your video's very interesting,I have de generating discs in my lower back,I also have to wear a leg brace as my legs can give out,when I am out at a shopping centre I borrow a wheelchair from mobility places who charge a hire fee,I live in North Kent UK,but my biggest problem is incontinence,I have now ended up with a foley catheter full time and use a leg bag when out,if you don't mind me asking do you have to use a catheter and bag? Or self catheterise? I have seen people in wheelchairs with either pee bags strapped to their legs or a big night bag hanging from their wheelchair,I tend to notice as I think another person like me,I know my confidence does drop if my bag leaks,anyway keep up the great videos and stay well...thank you!!

Transport chairs too

Functional Neurological disorder (FND)

Really hate the negativity around using a chair part time and the shocked faces when you stand up or movr

Hi and Happy New Year 2020! I've got a foltable lightweight - wheelcair and l wasn't able to roll with it for more than 10 to 15 meters at its most and widest way. So l began to look out for another idears but didn't want a heavy big electric power chair. I'd never move it in or out my tiny car! I didn't ant to use only 2 fingers whole day to move to any place, want to keep myself as mobile in my body as l can! So l fowld a wheel assisted one! There are more of them. I sawlwatched an E - motion M 25 by Alber. I saw a smoov, too. Smoov does too much for me in the situation l find myself living. I've got 16 or more chronical diseases, e.g. "frozen shoulders" and can't use them much, not high, not with the weight of a liter-can or so. OK? So l have to train, yes, but not much! Often a day a tiny bit to keep what l have as my abilities. They're small but there and l wanna keep'em of course, OK!? so, finally, l decided to fight for a M 25. Assisted wheels! God, l'm so happy that l did! Now, after 4 years!!!, l can go for a walk (roll) to my friends on my own! We cried for happiness and since then l was there several times after a short call. I can shop my groceries myself! I can go when l want, not if my dear sup'orting friends have time [but l'm tired, full of pain etc). l'm free again! More than last 4 to 5 years! Yes, l still need help, but lots less than bevore! Yes, l still have pain, but so "much less" than bevore! And: l can dicide to go somewhere! My chair can roll alone by a program l bought with an App. So it rolls with last given push-fastness as long as l led it go. I go left or right with my hands on the hand-grips around the wheels like you and all others. When l hold both sides it stopps. It needs practice, but it's worth it 1.000.000.000.000 times. Minimum! And l train my shoulders and lungs and arms etc although driving electrified! Power assisted wheels are THAT HIT for me! It can change my powered wheels to normal manual wheels within secnds each side. At home at day l can use it and when pain gets more than l accept l change. No one can tell me or has the right to tell me or anyone that l have to have endless pain just because l COULD walk some meters only because l can go some meters with full pain or using my chair although l could go on my feet ending pained so much as l do if l try. My assisted chair is my very best friend who can't talk. I love to have it. My days ar brighter and better and have so less pain! I fought for 3 weeks until my health insurance understood. The firma who build them where at phone whenever l needed . Since then l 've been so much out: in church, at friends, just for fun to be out! I wasn't since 5 years! Bevore l went somehere, there l was pushed out! I had to reconvalescent and then l had to go home. There the same! Lots of hurts, … now l can enjoy when l visit someone or something! I live again, not only exist! That makes a big, big difference! So l use it although could use my feet. So lessssss pain that my life now is worth been called life again after 5 years in extraordinary pain and therefore very seldom been seen. Be blessed, you show that it's ok and partly better than walk for many of us! Thank you so much! Be blessed by the Lord! Love what you do and how you do! I'm 55, female, living alone with my 19 year-young boy who studies 120km away in weeks. I need to do my life on my own and l want to cause l allways needed to do so. Now l began to love that l live again(love again to live). You're great in your way you are! So that's why l love you! Be blessed (again)! Yours, Conny L. from Germany

Yeah sick of this comment or people face expression. I need it for pain, spasm, Weakness, and energy deterioration. Also I get paralysis if I use my body mentally or physically a little. I have Severe Fibromyalgia Severe ME FND being tested cause of the paralysis.

And scoliosis

ALL THE ZEBRAS ON HERE! HELLO! ANYONE WANNA BE IN MY DAZZLE?

I love you videos! I've got EDS and use a chair quite a lot. Im quite a tall person and I was out shopping a while ago. A shorter lady was asking a shop assistant to reach something off the top shelf. The shop assistant couldn't reach either so she went off to find a ladder. I wheeled over and offered to get it for her and she kinda laughed. So I stood up, grabbed the item, handed it to her and wheeled off. Her face just dropped!

Just wanted to add as someone with M.E that it’s a lot lot more than just fatigue. It also causes pain, balance and co-ordination problems, dizziness, weakness and more. Also even on a “good” day using the chair can prevent post exertion malaise which is a significant increase in symptoms after any amount of activity (physical/emotional/mental). I have crutches, a manual chair and an electric chair. I can’t use my manual without assistance as I can only push myself for short distances on very flat floor. My electric gives me the independence to do things alone.

Thanks for recognizing and mentioning ME/CFS as a reason to use a wheelchair! In addition to helping prevent a ‘crash’ (in severe cases expending energy-even walking-can permanently worsen our condition). Plus, a lot of us have concomitant dysautonomia/NMH/POTS, which causes rapid heart rate and/or low blood pressure while standing, so we may not physically be able to walk without fainting.

This is amazing thanks for this video!!! I have EDS , POTS and Hypoglycemia which causes me to have severe Vertigo and I get seizures

People unthinkingly put so much negative baggage on wheelchairs and their users, from "ended up in a wheelchair" to "confined to". No other form of transport attracts such negative connotations.

EDS (and comorbidities) wheelchair user here. Thank you for raising awareness and doing it so well. Love this, it reminded me of your invisible illness awareness video. You are incredibly generous and kind. 😘❤️💪🏼👌🏽

I really appreciate that you looked into something that doesn’t specifically apply to you and made a video about it. It shows you have empathy. Which is getting more and more rare these days. More proof you’re an awesome human being!!!

I nearly gave a new friend a heart attack when I stood up. We were in the cafeteria of a job training centre. I was getting a numb arse, so decided to stand up. She was looking the other way, but turned round when I was my full height (less than 5ft). She actually gasped!

Lol wish my mom could hear this. I’m in the process of getting my first chair (I’m super lost and super nervous) for POTS and EDS. I can walk, but often times (especially in the heat) I get lightheaded, exhausted, and I usually flare if I push myself too far, causing me to be bed bound for 1-3 days. My parents don’t get it, they think that since I can walk I should push through and try everything anyway, even though I’ve limited what I do and end up missing out on things that I can’t do anymore. I want a wheelchair for more freedom. My parents see it as me exaggerating and giving up

Shared! I'm not a wheelchair user, but my brother was during his cancer treatment. I have a few chronic illnesses so I have to prepare myself that I may need to use a wheelchair occasionally in the future should things get worse for me. This is a great informative video!

I have really bad imposter syndrome because of this. Social anxiety makes me think every one questions why I need one lol

I ha e lupus and use a wheelchair part time. People are very judgemental about it. Bottom line is I just want to enjoy a day trip with my family and this is the only way it can happen.

I have some weird joint and bone deformities so it makes life so much easier to just use a wheelchair due to pain. I often get judged for doing so, but I understand it is because many are consumed by these misconceptions about wheelchairs and their users.

I have complex regional pain syndrome and can walk but it is so painful if I walk far so I need a chair to help me socialise or I would be stuck inside my house all the time. Thank you for this

The part that really irritates me is when people ask why your in a wheelchair. For me its ncl type four so its an eternal struggle to explain something so rare (im 8th worldwide)

Thank you for mentioning Fibromyalgia (fibro or fm)! I have that and I use a wheelchair to get outside. I'm waiting on getting my own manual wheelchair with an electric motor so I can get around better. There is also a lot of people with Fibro that doesn't need a wheelchair and can live a quite good life. I'm not good at explaining stuff, but feel free to ask me questions about Fibro (my experience with it). Also, is it possible that you can have voiceover when you have text on the screen you don't say so that the blind people can know it is there? It would also be awesome if you could add subtitles that are no auto generated from RU-vid. Just some tips :D

I have diaplegic cerebral palsy and I am quite capable of walking independently for short periods of time but I will get pain. You are raising awareness of an important thing as I always find people are shocked to find you can walk and assume that you never actually needed a wheelchair in the first place! Great video!

Just pulled this up as I am having such a hard time getting out of the house to use my new chair! I have EDS, and bilateral club feet that are a mess, thanks to my hypermobility, and other issues. Even just cooking dinner leaves me at an 8/10 pain. When I got my chair, I told my friends Mother, and she said “you’re not really going to let yourself GO into a chair, are you??” No, I’m going to gain the chance to leave me house, to “walk” my dogs, to do something beyond walk from room, to room, in my house. I’m still struggling internally with using it, I don’t have ramps yet, and you can just see people judging when you stand to get in the chair, or stand to yank the chair out of the van. How do part time chair users here deal with that?

A wheelchair is a mobility aid. Wheelchairs are a necessity and are a tool. For the same reason you "could" crawl to the local store on your elbow and knees, its much more favorable for most to walk. Diabled people take a wheelchair to avoid being in extreme amounts of unnecessary discomfort, pain, or risk of further injury. Just as its not acceptable for a disabled person to demand to know why if you have perfectly good and visially capable yet only slightly scabby elbows to suggest you are still perfectly capable of crawling 7 blocks to the local store on your hand and knees, its unacceptable to suggest that people in a chair should walk if they are able. Think of a wheelchair, cain, walker, or any other tool as a "mobility aid" and it will make much more sense.

Another reason is that you may be too weak to walk

Thank you for doing this video, so many people think that if you don't "look" like you need a chair you are pretending. I have a friend who is unable to walk long distances and needs the use of a power scooter and he gets funny looks when he gets up and walks into a business.

I basically have severe ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. I am not able to stand or walk easily, so I use a wheelchair most of the time except at home (my home is not wheelchair accessible). It has allowed me to do like 4 errands instead of 2 errands and being too exhausted/in pain to continue my day. :) Gem-Fibromyalgia is a hard word to pronounce! Fy-bro-my-Al-juh. :)

“If you can stand, why would you ever need to sit down? Now take your current leg strength and stamina, and think about one half or one quarter that. Then ask the question again.”

Thank you for making this video. I have (JHS) Joint Hypermobility Syndrome along with Chronic Pain Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I got my own self propelled wheelchair in May and it's given me so much freedom. I'm able to go out with my friends for longer and actually enjoy myself. Thank you for raising awareness. So many people have given me bad looks for moving my legs in my wheelchair, and questioned why I have one, and it's annoying having to explain yourself all the time.

Thank you for this video and to all the commenters here. Made me feel a bit better about this subject. I was looking into getting a manual chair and for whatever reason, felt almost "ashamed" because I can still walk sometimes so society makes me feel like it's wrong or something.

Maxi buggies: a larger version of the kind of buggy toddlers use that are for disabled kids who are too big for a normal buggy but still have the same needs. Attendant pushed chairs: all 4 wheels are small as they are not intended to be self propelled at all (very frustrating to use even if you can’t self propels as it takes away the ability to even adjust slightly where you have been parked).

I’ve had mine for about 2 years and man is it awesome! I’ve had CP all my life but didn’t use a chair until two years ago. I am a part-time user I use it for a long walks with my dogs or if my family and I are in a hurry to get somewhere I know longer feel like I’m holding people up, and it definitely helps with pain I can be out and about and if I have a flair It’s there for me and I can still do my job, and be out with friends and family and not stuck at home on the couch due to my pain.

CONGRATULATIONS ON 20k SUBS!! I’m the 20,000th subscriber!!

I'm so glad someone has done a video about this as I'm a wheelchair user but I can walk to a degree and everyone even some family members say I'm faking as can walk too but not far or for very long

As a younger Fibromyalgia sufferer with a partner who has Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - chairs will most likely become a way of our lives as we get more and more active with professional careers. I think a lot of the problem is - a lot of people who aren't disabled see chairs as something that is DISABLING rather than the perspective that chairs are actually ENABLING the users to be more active and do things that they might otherwise consistently could not. That's certainly my perspective on it anyway, I aim to get one when I move to a more disabled friendly area (currently I cannot use a chair on country roads) as it will allow me to do more and be around more for the things I find important. I'd be able to give myself more control and predictability than my otherwise shoddy body provides! Please feel free to add anything/chat to me about your experience - I'm open to communicating about Fibro :) I do a lot on my social media!

yes! im so nervous about using a wheelchair bc i feel like im not "disabled enough" or something. even though my bad days are rare, they can be bad enough that even turning my head is extremely dizzying.