Shopping With My Friend Scooter

By Barbara Moore

2 min read

I haven’t been out shopping since before the pandemic started. We have basically been in isolation. Now, very slowly, as things are beginning to open up, I yearned to go through a store. I wanted to see what was for sale, in real-time, and take it home with me today. Although not necessarily in the mood to buy, I just wanted to have the experience.

I intended to walk

I had my walker and intended on walking through the store. Then, right there, inside the front door, we bumped into the scooters. They were all charged up and ready to go, just sitting there waiting for someone to use them. My husband nudged me and told me to take a scooter. I thought about it for a nanosecond, and then I complied. How could I not?

Sanitation station

There was a sanitation station right beside the scooters for your hands and wipes for the scooter before using it. It was very efficient, and there was staff on hand if I had any problems. She made sure I was comfortable before leaving me to my own devices.

Stores these days are huge

Talk about oversized department stores, wow! This one is huge. Starting at the front of the store and looking to the back of the store, it would take a lot of steps, energy, and oxygen to get to the back door.

Of course, getting the two things I wanted would land me from one end of the store to the other. It would take all my energy to move through this store. Most days I would pass, get in and out in 10 minutes. But not today.

Clearing the aisles

The aisles were big as if meant for people in scooters like I was driving. The only thing I ran into was my husband, but he moved really fast when he saw me coming. There is really nothing to know about scooters.

They are quite basic and for those of use the used to drive, it's a no-brainer. This scooter had a huge basket on the front of it. Whoever designed it, designed it with me in mind. Not only did it have lots of room for my oxygen canister, but lots of room left over for shopping.

Experience It

I gave up shopping when I got sick. Never having been a shopper, I didn’t really miss it. My husband is the shopper in the family and is content to buy anything I need.

For many years I have been an Amazon purchaser, but not today. I would go through the entire toy department, a first since my grandson was born. I conquered the entire ladies' clothing and the entertainment departments.

There is something to the experience of touching and feeling the items that produces serotonin and dopamine. These are the feel-good transmitters in our brain that make us happy to finally reward ourselves.

Doctors don’t agree

My doctor would not agree with my decision to use a scooter, but he doesn't live my life. He would not understand it from my perspective but it made me so happy. This would be the first time that I got back into the car not gasping for oxygen and ready and willing for more.

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 7th, 2024, Barbara Moore passed away. Barbara’s advocacy efforts and writing continue to reach many. She will be deeply missed.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
Hi Barbara - (try as I did, I could not find or tag you with an <inline-mention username="truckerrroy" user-id="2400756"/> - that can be so exasperating!)This is a terrific little anecdote and, you said it all. The mobility device seems to make such a huge difference in your daily activities when out and about. You set a very good example for others in our community. As always, I enjoy and am grateful for your shared stories / experiences. Keep up the good work! Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Leon Lebowitz, BA, RRT" user-id="2445532"/> thank you Leon for your kind words. We are definetly a great comnunity. Barbara Moore (moderator and author)
Carol Kirker Moderator
Hi Barbara! If walking long distances is difficult, I think the use of a scooter adds to our quality of life. There are many activities I would have to give up if I didn’t have one. Would I prefer to walk these places? Absolutely! However, I can’t and will get so short of breath, I can’t enjoy myself. So the scooter allows me to enjoy life! Thanks for a great article! Carol (moderator)
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Carol Kirker" user-id="2412242"/> It is so true Carol. I wonder if doctors realise how they are restricting people instead of encouraging them. Thank you for commenting. Barbara Moore (moderator and author)
kloker Member
Interesting thoughts! I do miss some things about actual live shopping in person, though not that many. The only places I went back when I could go were the HEB (grocery store) and the Hope de-pot. That's a place you go, and you desperately hope they've got that thing you need to fix the plumbing or whatever. The grocery store I miss because of the huge selection, which is vastly superior to Amazon. There are so many things on Amazon that are out of my price range, like produce, meat, bakery goods, etc. My cooking and eating has had to become much more basic and limited. But I do not miss the parking nightmare, or the fact that, at least there at the last, I found myself barely able to get through the whole ordeal, as there is no place to stop and sit down to rest. They make sure of that, and I see that as prejudicial and rude. Then there is the long trek back out to the car where I was grateful for having the cart to lean on. Opening the Hatch and loading the back was not hard, but then, at home, on my steep driveway, I would need a home cart to get it done. I definitely appreciate the Amazon driver (when I smartly meet them at the door) are kind enough to set the bags on top of the dryer just inside the back door. After that it's just a matter of putting it all away. Much easier, and doable for my physical state now. As far as the Home Depot, I get my neighbor to help when there's a problem. He is always happy to do so. Of course, ease and convenience are not the only issues. Everything is more expensive now, there are constant annoying shortages, so I have to be sure to stay stocked up on some items, and there are some things I just can no longer get. But I manage. Also, I cannot breathe in a mask, even with my 02 on, so there is that. The scooters do sound like a boon, but I guess I've likely missed out on that, as it's not likely I'll be going out much in the future. I do want to get out some when I can, but even now the pandemic continues to rage on. Crazy after all this time. But my COPD has put serious limits on me now. I will have to see what difference, if any, my new POC makes, if it ever gets here. Lastly, on doctors - I've not recently met a doctor who is older, wiser, or smarter than me. And I don't believe in the hype that they are superior in all ways and know or even care what's best for me. I will seek their advice and help when I need it and gratefully accept treatment, but they are not doing it because they love me. It's about money. So, like everyone else, they must earn my respect in order to get it. That said, I most definitely respect the ones I have right now. It's certainly been an adventure, this COPD, and I have learned a lot in adapting to life with it. And I like to learn from others wherever possible as well. So, I like what you said here. I wish my health was good enough to go shopping, but for now that's as good as it's going to get for me. Also, it makes me miss my motorcycle! Aargh!
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="kloker" user-id="4235094"/> It sounds to me like you have most things figured out to your liking 👍 so carry on as you are and enjoy as much as can of life the way you want to. Barbara Moore (moderator and author)
2. SamanthaSarube Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="kloker" user-id="4235094"/>, Yeah those fees are definitely tricky. Well it sounds like you have a good plan in place to deal with the obstacles of grocery shopping and are getting what you need! Best, Sam S. (<a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>, team member).
twovillages Member
After having Polio at the age of 22, my mother relied on an electric scooter for the last 10 years of her life. Post polio made it too difficult to even get from her bed to the bath. Having a transfer board was also necessary for her. It enabled her to slide from her bed to the scooter, and then on to a couch. She also had COPD, and I'm sure the scooter saved a lot of stress on her lungs. After losing my step-father, we looked into disability vans so transporting her to our home, a doctor's visit or a dinner out, was much easier. Vans are sold with various amounts of miles on them. Usually they are not cheap, but when you're done using them, the resale can be usually close to what you paid for them. Sometimes Medicare will even pay for a new scooter. 
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="twovillages" user-id="2403860"/> thank you for that information. I am sure that many will find it useful. Thanks again. Barbara Moore (author)
Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Barbara Moore" user-id="2412663"/> I just experienced that excitement a couple of weeks ago. I normally walk if I'm having a good breathing day but it had been a long time since I had been in the big store and the humidity was terrible so my breathing wasn't the best. It was so nice to take the time to go all over the store and see and touch every little thing. I'm bored shopping from Amazon all the time. While I was growing up shopping was something we did every Saturday with my mom. We never had a lot of money but we loved to “window shop” and add to our list of... When our ship comes in as my mom would say. 😂😊 It was nice to get back to my car and not be worn out from the shopping trip. 🥰 Best, Jackie
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Jackie English" user-id="2415342"/> thank you so much for commenting that you too enjoyed your scooter. Lots of the bigger stores have them for your use. Happy shopping. Barbara Moore (author)
carolefla Member
I love when the stores have the scooters but unfortunately most don’t. I guess they don’t want them taking up room in the isles & the cost & liability on them. It’s a shame because lots Of people with disabilities 
1. Barbara Moore Moderator
 <inline-mention username="carolefla" user-id="4198807"/> It is truly be a shame that more stores don't provide them, the customer experience is great. The good news is that options are vast and the prices are reasonable. Thank you for commenting. Barbara Moore (author)
Bixd Member
I avoid stores that do not provide scooters -- but I also avoid stores that do not maintain and track the scooters. Three is something disconcerting about getting to the back of the store and having the battery die on you -- and in the power rush going on now, many scooters have been stolen from stores for batteries or other reasons. One guy stole one and drove it the the meeting with his parole officer. I guess he missed prison.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="Bixd" user-id="4541955"/> Hi again, Bixd, and thanks for weighing in here with your perspective on the mobile scooters that some stores provide for their customers to facilitate shopping. It must be upsetting to be alone shopping, using one of these mobile devices, only to have the power supply run out in a remote section of the store! How are you managing shopping for yourself now without the benefit of one of these units? Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator COPD. net)

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