Let’s Chat: The challenges of scooting in Medicine Hat

By Linda Tooth on November 12, 2025.

Have you ever been reliant on someone or something to open a door, drive you somewhere, or even help you with simple bathroom tasks like having a shower, brushing your teeth or even using the toilet? If you have not, trust me when I tell you it is a very humbling experience for anyone at any age.

I recently received a message from an individual who had suffered a fall that left them with a fractured pelvis in two places and a fractured tailbone.

This person in their 40s who up until that moment led a very healthy life, literally lost all their independence in a heartbeat. As the fractured pelvis happened on their right side, this meant they were unable to drive, and they could not work – two things very important to most people.

To help their mental health as they navigated what it was like to be temporarily disabled, they decided to rent a mobility scooter to get out of the house and to give them back some of the freedoms they had lost and we take for granted.

In Medicine Hat with a population of more than 65K, it is not surprising to those who have lived in this area a long time to know a large portion of the population are 55+.

According to the Medicine Hat Economic Development website, approximately 12-15% are within the age groups of 50-59 and 60-69.

We know that as we age, we start to rely on things like mobility scooters to get us from Point A to Point B. Imagine if you will, what it is like when the sidewalks and roads of a city the size of Medicine Hat hamper your ability to get around safely.

The individual who contacted me encountered many challenges when attempting to leave sidewalks and cross roads in their scooter.

Personally, I do know of another individual who uses their scooter quite a bit, weather permitting, in Medicine Hat and has had a few tumbles attempting to also leave sidewalks to cross roads. I urge the newly elected city council to take a long hard look at the sidewalks and roads.

One day you may find it is a family member or friend trying to navigate themselves on a scooter.

Also, what has happened to people that we judge someone for being on a scooter? Especially those who in our minds we feel are young enough to walk?

The individual who contacted me encountered many unkind comments as they were out in the public. People, we do not know their story.

The looks and comments according to them were appalling. We can do better.

It is World Kindness Day on Thursday. I urge all of us to be better and show kindness to differently abled people. The message I received from the individual with the fractured pelvis ended with ‘be kind’ and be that person who puts a smile on someone’s face!

Have a Meowtastic Day and keep reading!

Linda Tooth is a philanthropy and youth support worker, YMCA of Southeastern Alberta