Mobility isn’t black & white
Wendy & Raymond’s story
Mobility is different for everyone. It’s personal and it comes in all shapes and colors.
Through our collaboration with Neo Walk, we had the chance to get to know Wendy and Raymond who showed us how mobility isn’t just black and white.
Meet Wendy & Raymond
Wendy, affectionately called “Tutu” (Hawaiian for grandmother) by her granddaughters and “hummingbird” by her friends because she’s always buzzing around, whether strolling the Portland Waterfront, exploring the Oregon Coast, or enjoying peaceful moments at the Japanese Garden.
Raymond, or “PapaYeye” as his grandkids call him, enjoys the slower pace of life, with tennis and hiking Portland’s beautiful trails being among his favorite activities. Living near the largest urban forest park in the country gives him plenty of chances to explore the Columbia River Gorge.
For both Wendy and Raymond, their journeys with mobility aids began with a fall, though for different reasons.
Join them as they share how mobility aids have empowered them to continue living life to the fullest!
Time for extra support
Wendy: During the pandemic, I was out walking in the forest near our home when I fell and fractured my humerus. That experience made it clear that my balance and stability were no longer sufficient for walking confidently on my own. To regain my independence and mobility, I decided to purchase my first walker.
Raymond: In May of this year, I fell in the bathroom and, to my amazement, couldn’t get up. I was rushed to the hospital where they soon diagnosed me with sepsis. My family tells me I nearly died. I could barely move at all, let alone get out of bed and walk. Eventually, I was able to use a walker and then graduated to ambulating down the hospital corridors with the help of my wife’s byACRE rollator. That marked the beginning of my recovery.
Feeling empowered
Wendy: My first walker changed everything – it allowed me to get back to walking with friends along the waterfront and enjoy my usual activities. However, it was heavy and awkward. Then, I found the byACRE rollator on Facebook. It arrived just two days later, and I’ve been using it ever since. It’s lightweight, easy to manage, and goes everywhere with me!
One time, I wanted to attend my granddaughter’s soccer game, but it was on a large field, and I wasn’t sure if I could walk that far. With my byACRE rollator, I walked across the field easily. It even has a seat, so I was able to sit comfortably and enjoy the entire game. That moment reminded me how much freedom and independence my rollator gave me.
“Instead of focusing on why I needed it, people – both young and old – were impressed by how cool and modern it looked. ”
– Raymond
Raymond: Using Wendy’s rollator helped me gradually regain my balance and my strength. I eventually transitioned to using just a cane. Now I’m happily back to playing tennis, taking walks in the woods, and making my way along our bustling downtown streets.
Recently, we met some friends down at the Portland Waterfront, and I was still recovering while using Wendy’s rollator. Thanks to it, I was able to navigate the restaurant and the surrounding garden areas with ease. What made the experience even better was how the rollator’s sleek and stylish design became a conversation starter.
Instead of focusing on why I needed it, people – both young and old – were impressed by how cool and modern it looked. Their compliments lifted my spirits, and I felt empowered, not just by the mobility it gave me, but by the positive attention and energy it brought to the celebration. My rollator truly helped make the day feel joyous and full of movement.
Mobility is individual – so is your need for a mobility aid
Wendy: I primarily use my rollator and rarely switch to other mobility aids. It provides me with complete stability, which is essential for maintaining my balance and confidence while walking. I also love that it promotes good posture, which is vital for both my comfort and long-term mobility. Its blend of stability and ergonomic design ensures that I don’t need to rely on other aids – this one meets my needs in almost every situation.
Raymond: I don’t use the rollator unless I’m injured. That could change any day, given that I still run around on a tennis court, hustle to get to appointments on time, and put in hours working in my yard. But now I can use my brand-new Neo Walk cane as a just-in-case aid when I’m out walking for exercise or for pleasure. It attracts a lot of positive attention.
Keep moving
Wendy: My rollator has been essential in keeping me active and out in the world. It’s compact, fits into tight spaces (even on the kids’ train at the Oregon Zoo), and makes navigating public places easy. Plus, it gets lots of compliments for its sleek and functional design!
Raymond: They have enabled me to stay on my feet in spite of temporary limitations. I recently slipped on some wet clay in my steeply sloped yard. I wasn’t using either of my devices at the time.
This set me back to relying more on them as my injuries healed. It’s terribly important to me to keep moving, whether on a tennis court, out in the world of nature, or among the delights of urban amenities. With the help of these mobility aids, I can almost eliminate any downtime from these passions.
“My rollator has been essential in keeping me active and out in the world. It helps me stay swift and, on the move, just the way I like to live!”
– Wendy
Wendy: I love them! They’re great for “off-road” adventures like playing with the alpaca! And they hold up great! Plus, the design is stylish and catches people’s eyes wherever I go. It’s functional and fun!
I’m small and quick, and my rollator matches my pace. My friends even call me a “hummingbird” because I’m always buzzing around. My byACRE rollator helps me stay swift and, on the move, just the way I like to live!
“What else does it say about me to others? I think it says I’m an individual. And when Wendy and I walk together with our respective matching aids, they say that we make a great team.”
– Raymond
Raymond: They’re very trippy. Not so much sexy like the lightweight and sleek byACRE model my wife also has. But playful, spry, adventurous, and even humorous with their sprinkling of bright colors.
My new Neo Walk cane matches my wife’s byACRE rollator. When we’re out together using them, we get a lot of folks stopping and staring, making friendly comments, and often asking for information.
The upper half of my cane is clear; the lower half is filled with colorful beads. In my opinion, it conveys a marvelous sense of liberation and nonchalant elegance. Sometimes, I’m inclined to add a little strut to my walk just to make it clear that this thing is mine, all mine, and I’m having such a good time.