Local Woman Gets Back in Shape with the Help of a Rollator

While searching for a mobility aid topic to write about this week, I came across a very simple almost mundane story. But it’s a fun and real story, and one I wanted to share.

It’s the story of Michele Bender, a senior living in Johnstown, PA. Michele is a self-proclaimed “unconventional gal,” especially when it comes to holidays. She hands out Easter candy on Halloween, decorates her Christmas tree with Marilyn Monroe ornaments instead of Santa, and stockpiles snowballs (or Siberian M-80s as she calls them) in the winter for snowball fights on the 4^th of July.

So in keeping with her unique holiday celebrations, this year instead of the traditional New Year’s Resolutions, Michele made Easter Resolutions. She had recently gone through a number of medical procedures that improved her mobility, so her two resolutions were A)“get out and meet folks, do some volunteering, help however I can” and B) “master walking a quarter mile (or more) outdoors, here in my ‘hood.”

How does she plan to accomplish these? According to Michele, “I bought a gizmo called a ‘rollator,’ essentially a walker with wheels, brakes, a basket, a seat and a backrest. It enables me to walk till I wear out. Then I lock the brakes, sit down, catch a second wind and continue. And it’s red!”

What I like about the story is that Michele, despite her unique sensibilities, is for the most part an ordinary senior. And even seniors with limited mobility can get outside and back to exercising with the help of a mobility aid such as a rollator.

You certainly don’t have to wait until New Year’s. Change can happen whenever you want it to. As Michele says, “I’m not where I was. I haven’t reached my destination. I’m not even sure where I’m going, but I’m on my way.”