Mychaela can now walk her dog with a mobility scooter

Mychaela Green from London is a medically retired carer who used to support older people in the community. Due to a stroke and mental health issues she had to give up her career, however “keeps going and staying strong as a mum and nanny”. Mychaela also has epilepsy and COPD with weakness on her right side so uses a mobility scooter to remain mobile. She is also helped by an assistance dog called Nova through the charity Dog A.I.D. 

In between lockdowns, Mychaela and Nova enjoy day trips to the coast in East Sussex and Kent. With an off-road mobility scooter and assistance dog, Mychaela has independence and peace of mind without the worry of struggling to walk. Together they can enjoy exploring several miles at a time and access beaches and countryside trails. 

Before getting a scooter she says:

“I couldn’t do what I wanted to do. I massively missed going out with my grandkids, I missed the beach, the countryside, walking a dog. I just wanted to do normal things that able-bodied people do. Being stuck inside was awful and did nothing for my mental health and well-being. When I took on Nova my black Labrador, the vet said she’d make a fantastic Assistance Dog. I approached Dog A.I.D. who accepted me on their training programme which is when a trustworthy scooter became vital.”

This dog tuition was perfect for Mychaela if she could get mobile on a robust off-road scooter, so she went online to look: 

“I first came across products that were so expensive I knew I would never be able to afford them. I also found out about the Disabled Ramblers Association that I intend to join this year. I looked at what scooters their members used; I saw one that was from TGA. The scooter I went for, a Vita X, gives a stable ride and no bumps or bangs to hurt my bad back. I can drive through mud and over rough ground with no problem, smooth and steady, it is a joy. My life has changed for the better.”

Mychaela regularly visits sites such Camber Sands, Seven Sisters Country Park and The South Downs. Nova is being trained to walk alongside Mychaela’s scooter with the help of a pole and bungee dog lead which is working well. 

They are both loving their newfound freedom:

 “Nova is such a good girl and the places we are now going I simply cannot believe. I wouldn’t be able to leave my house without my dog and scooter, they both give me such confidence.  To sit on the beach after five years and look out to sea is breath taking. Even feeling the wind in your hair is special. I now look at so many more places and say, ‘do you know what, I’m going to have a go at getting there. I used to love hill walking before my illnesses so I am planning to revisit the Lake District next year with my Vita and the support of the outbound activity charity Calvert Trust. Exploring and life in general is now so much more rewarding with my scooter and Nova by my side.”

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This story was provided to us by TGA Mobility, Mychaela bought a TGA Vita X, view the details here. To view a wider range of makes & models visit our All-Terrain Scooters category.  

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