Medical Sociology on Wheels

Comments on Health Beliefs, Risk, Mitigation, and Sociological Research Methods, a Disabled Perspective

a photo of me, a red-headed white woman with shoulder-length, wavy, hair held in a half-up half-down style with bangs out using a small claw clip. I am standing in a parking lot on the University of Georgia campus with my pink collator walker. The large brick campus library is visible behind me, there is a white work van parked in a loading zone with yellow paint, and a gold suv in disability parking with blue paint. I am looking at the camera. I am wearing gold, circular, wire-rimmed glasses, a black blazer and blouse, a green and navy plaid skirt, black heeled booties, and a CAN99 disposable N95 respirator.

Different Aids for Different Days: What I mean when I say I “walk and roll”

Four modes of mobility that help me with managing the trifecta: EDS, MCAS, and POTS

Disclaimer: I did not get paid to promote these products, I do not necessarily endorse or support the non-profits linked here related to my diagnoses (the info is good, though), and this is not medical advice.

These are the mobility aids I have acquired over the years. I give this info because they have served me well, not because they are the best product for every person, best products, least expensive products, etc. They are simply the products I have found work for me and were available at the time I needed them. Every body is different, and budget matters, so remember when you’re making your own decision about mobility aids to prioritize your needs and adjust recommendations if it makes sense for you!

A photo of me, a red-headed white woman with shoulder length hair styled with hot rollers and held back above my temples with two small claw clips. I am standing in my front yard in front of a tree and bush with pink flowers. I am wearing gold, wire-rimmed, glasses, a pink midi-length smock style dress with red flowers and a ruffled hem, and bronze platform sandals with two wide straps. My arms are to my sides and I am smiling at the camera. There is a house, a car, and a power line behind me in the distance.

Around the house and my neighborhood, if I’m feeling up to it, I walk. No equipment, sometimes assist from hubs’ arm.

Me, a red-headed white woman with long hair worn straight and down, standing on the field at Truist park where the Atlanta Braves play. I am wearing gold circular wire-rimmed glasses, a 3M aura disposable N95 respirator, a light grey wool dress coat, a navy dress with gold foil flowers, black tights, and black pointy-toed pumps. I am holding my black cane and looking at the camera.

At events I know will have limited walking, plenty of seating, and that I plan to attend for only a short time, if I’m feeling up to it I bring my cane and I walk. My mother-in-law bought me this cane for $8.99 at a local drug store—reliable and inexpensive! Check your local drug store/pharmacy if you are looking to buy a cane and have access to in-person retailers.

a photo of me, a red-headed white woman with shoulder-length, wavy, hair held in a half-up half-down style with bangs out using a small claw clip. I am standing in a parking lot on the University of Georgia campus with my pink collator walker. The large brick campus library is visible behind me, there is a white work van parked in a loading zone with yellow paint, and a gold suv in disability parking with blue paint. I am looking at the camera. I am wearing gold, circular, wire-rimmed glasses, a black blazer and blouse, a green and navy plaid skirt, black heeled booties, and a CAN99 disposable N95 respirator.

When I have short distances but need to carry things and/or know there will be limited seating if I need to rest, and I am feeling up to it, I use my walker. I walk, it rolls. This was my first piece of medical equipment! I got mine on amazon because it was what I had access to at the time, but there are local retailers that carry the NovaJoy products. This one is the Zoom18 in pink.

Me, a red-headed white woman with my hair in a high ponytail with my bangs out and parted down the middle, sitting in my wheelchair in my University of Georgia campus office. My wheelchair is hot pink, and I am holding the rims of the wheels as if I might roll myself forward. I am wearing a Honeywell disposable N95 respirator over a 3M aura disposable N95 respirator, wire rimmed glasses, a red university of Georgia crewneck sweatshirt that reads "Georgia" and has a vintage bulldog graphic on it, a dark grey golf shirt with the collar visible over the sweatshirt, and pale blue skinny jeans.

When I’m on campus for a full day, know I will be somewhere for an extended period of time, am unsure of walking distances and seating, or am not up to walking, I use my chair, and I roll. This is the TiLite TR, and I have a “SmartDrive” power assist attachment that helps me get up the steep hills here in North Georgia (USA). Getting a chair that was fit for my body and needs was an almost 2-year process, and I’m one of the privileged ones. If you live in North Georgia, especially ATL metro, the Shepherd Center Seating and Mobility Clinic is the place to go (you’ll need a referral, there are special forms to print out for your provider on the website for the seating clinic).

A quick note on the masks worn in these photos, and the absence of a mask in the first photo.

In the first photo, I am in my front yard, and there are no neighbors outside. I am not wearing a mask for this photo, but I typically wear at least a KN95 if I’m wandering around in front of our house. Right now I’ve been liking the BNX KN95 in red in the kids size (S). If you’re enthusiastic about mask options made in the United States, BNX is one of several manufacturers here in the US. Another good kids size for small-faced adults KN95 made in the US is the Armbrust.

In the second photo, I’m wearing my go-to since the switch to N95’s, the 3M Aura. I don’t necessarily support the dealings between 3M and the US gov, but I DO trust the Aura more than any other disposable respirator given my narrow face and passed fit test. I like the 9210 model because, of the models available to the public, the straps on these are the sturdiest. Elastic like a pants waistband, not thin and clear-blue like the 9205.

In the third photo, I am wearing a CAN99 disposable N95 respirator. I’ve found these are a great alternative to the 3M Aura if you have a narrow face. I haven’t ditched my auras, but I have stocked up on these as a good additional option. No foam in the nose piece and much lighter weight!

In the last photo, I am wearing a 3M Aura under a Honeywell flatfold respirator. Typically, it is not recommended to wear another mask over your N95. Why did I wear another N95 over the Aura here? Georgia humidity and college students… rampant COVID-19 infection on campus when this was taken. I had to teach on campus, I hadn’t yet had a fit test, and this kept my glasses from fogging. I can’t say for certain that it was a good idea, but I do know that I remained COVID-19 free despite quite a bit of exposure on campus. The real benefit of the Honeywell flatfold though is its price and availability. I bought these in bulk to provide to my students (who are AMAZING and YES, DID TAKE THEM TO USE!!!). Funny how mask usage increases when masks are available for free…and by funny, I mean very representative of the importance of finances for covid protection in the U.S. If you’re an educator looking for ways to increase mask usage and have the financial means, it won’t be 100%, but if the masks are there and you ask, people DO take them. Even 1 student taking you up on the offer is worth it, especially because you’ve jus helped them protect themselves outside of your class, too.

Heather Sue M. Rosen, PhD

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