Before chronic illness, movement was my everything. I trained professionally in dance and lived for the rush of being active. But after a sudden health decline, including sepsis, multiple surgeries, and life-changing diagnoses, my mobility gradually worsened.
Now living with EDS, POTS and gastroparesis, my life is very different. I rely on medical tubes, tethered to a pump administering nutrition and medication, and am forced to carefully manage energy, just to get through the day. Even short walks can cause fainting, exhaustion, and dramatic heart rate spikes. At my lowest, I was bedbound for months, watching the world from a hospital window.
Getting my first wheelchair in 2024 was both freeing and heartbreaking. It let me go out again, walk my dog, and see friends, but it also came with guilt, barriers, and a sense of invisibility. I couldn’t walk beside people anymore. I had to be pushed, navigate uneven pavements, and rely on others for access.
In January 2025, I tried an NHS walking stick. It helped, but the blisters, clicking noise, and lack of grip left me feeling unstable and self-conscious. That all changed when I was gifted a personalised walking stick from Cool Crutches.
The difference was instant. The soft, cushioned handle is shaped for the left or right hand, which makes walking feel more natural and secure. It’s lightweight, far lighter than my NHS stick, and has a wrist strap so I’m not constantly dropping it when I need to use my hands.
The rubber ferrule (bottom) is sturdy and reliable, with other options available for rougher terrains. And then there’s the design, mine’s blue, white and purple and reminds me of Elsa from Frozen. I finally feel like myself again, not just someone dragging a medical aid around out of necessity.
Mobility aids so often feel clinical, dull, or even a bit embarrassing. But Cool Crutches proves they don’t have to be. They offer a huge range of fun, customisable designs; from sparkles to animal prints, and accessories to match. It’s made me feel confident going out again, especially on days when I’m not well enough for full independence, but don’t need my wheelchair either.
I can now hold my boyfriend’s hand while walking, rather than sitting in front of him. I can chat to people side by side, instead of from below. My stick bridges the gap between wheelchair days and full mobility, and that sense of balance is everything.
If you’re on the fence about trying a walking stick or crutch, I can’t recommend Cool Crutches enough. Their products aren’t just practical, they’re empowering. Because mobility shouldn’t mean missing out.
So wherever you dream of going next, let this cane carry you there.
