At age 82, I do not drive anymore due to macular degeneration. I still try to remain as active as I can, working out in the gym with heavy weights 3 days a week, taking care of my yard, and vegetable gardening. Up until about 3 years ago, I walked 3 to 5 miles a day, but angina pain put a stop to that.
I reached the stage in which I was feeling nearly trapped at home, depending on my wife to take me anywhere a needed or wanted to go. I did not like that.
So, I bought myself an electric Battery operated) standup . scooter. It has 3 gears (speed levels) and will travel up to 18 miles an hour and go up to 11 miles on a charge. So, I can now run errands or do things within a 5 mile radius. And, it is collapsible, so that I can fold it up and take it into a store with me in a shopping cart.
My wife did not want me to get the scooter, fearing that, at my age, I would break my neck or some other part of my anatomy. But, I persisted politely, and she finally relented.
I am starting to use the scoter, and feeling much freer and less of a burden to my wife.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Good for you. Gives you a whole new persepective, doesn't it. I held open a door the other morning at the postoffice and the guy on the scooter said;" wanna ride, pretty lady?" Obviously, he also was visually impaired, but we got a good laugh out of it. I don't know where you live, but in our village, scooters are either on the road with the cars and trucks, or on the sidewalk. It is upon all of use to pay attention for everybody's safety.
Spinliesel
Level 9
June 21, 2019
1
Maybe you can start a scooter gang - Hells Grandads would be so cool
ShadowAmicus
Level 8
June 21, 2019
1
i'm not a lot younger than you but my fav mode of transportation , weather permiting, is my yamaha motor scooter. i get it up to 30+ mph & get 100 miles+/gallon. and it's fun.
callmedubious
Level 8
June 20, 2019
3
For heaven's sakes, wear a helmet when you ride an electric scooter!
CDC urges helmet use to prevent serious head injuries while riding scooters
LiterateHiker
Level 9
June 20, 2019
1
My wife has already made sure3 of that. It was the final pre-condition before she relented and gave up her objection to the scooter.
Since impaired vision prevents you from driving, how can you safely ride a scooter?
You need to see and react quickly to avoid cars, objects, people, dogs, bicycle riders, baby buggies, etc.
@LiterateHiker My problem with driving was coping with blind spots while travelling at a higher rate of speed. With a scooter travelling at a much lower speed and on the sidewalk instead of the street, my vision is good enough to cope with most events. Also with my awareness of a vision problem, I tend to scan back and forth, increasing my perception.
1of5:
Be careful? From you? I've seen everything now. 
Thank you for sharing .I guess I am right behind you.
Bigwavedave
Level 8
June 20, 2019
0
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