13 Mobility Aids for Young People With Chronic Illness

They’re not just for your granny.  Can we please normalize mobility aids for young people?!  No one thinks anything when they see someone wearing eyeglasses.  Just like glasses, mobility aids are just that; a tool.

She doesn’t look like she needs a {insert mobility aid here}.

If you’re a young person living with a disability or a chronic illness, we see you.  We know that you’ve likely been dismissed your entire life by gaslighting doctors and even family who can’t seem to understand what it is like for you to just live day to day.  You’re not alone, but being young and living with any kind of disability can be exhausting both physically and emotionally.

You’ve heard the whispers out in public.  Or the ableist attitude of family who is well meaning, but not hitting the mark.  You’ve gotten looks and you feel like you know exactly what it is they’re thinking; is she really disabled, is this attention seeking behavior?  The fact remains that young people can also experience chronic fatigue and pain.  In fact, the University of Alabama has said that up to 25% of young people (between the ages of 18-26) have experienced chronic pain that affects daily life.

Mobility Aids Are For Everyone

Back to our original point; they’re not just for your granny.  Stop thinking of mobility aids as something that will set you apart from the others.  It might garner some looks from people who don’t understand.  But, treat them like tools.  You don’t judge the person using a hammer to drive a nail instead of their hands.

Here’s some common mobility aids that people with chronic illnesses can find helpful.

1. Shower chair
2. Cane
3. Stools
4. Walkers
5. Grab bars
6. Walking Sticks
7. Braces
8. Adjustable bed
9. Compression Gloves/Socks/Tights
10. Wheelchairs (manual or powered)
11. Scooters
12. Braces
13. Crutches (underarm or forearm) 

Make Them Your Own

There’s no rule that says your mobility aids have to be boring.  So, jazz them up!  Make them your own.  Paint them with glitter paint.  Slap stickers all over them.  Oh!  Bejewel them!  

Embrace The Tools

Embracing the tools you need to be well should be at the top of your priority list.  Ignore the looks.  If you need a mobility aid, take the leap.  Your attitude about them will be infectious to the people around you.  You don’t have to offer an explanation to anyone for why you are using a tool.  But, if you feel compelled to explain yourself then do so.  At the end of the day, you need to save spoons (ie energy).

While ableism exists, it's important to remember that many people living with chronic illnesses look different than "normal." These tools should not be seen as something special or out of the ordinary--they are just tools like any other item that helps you live your life comfortably.