As Someone With An Invisible Disability, Stylish Mobility Aids Mean Everything

Recently, Christina Applegate opened up about her experience with multiple sclerosis (MS). She was transparent about her experience, from diagnosis to treatment, and most importantly, accepting a new way of life with chronic illness. This included contemplating the end of her career as an actor. 

While I would never compare myself to the one and only Veronica Corningstone (Applegate’s iconic character in “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy“), I understand what she’s going through. I live it every day. 

I’m 30 years old, and like Christina, I look healthy. But I experience vision issues, limpness, numbness, stiffness, dizziness and pain thanks to a chronic illness that impacts my brain and spinal cord. Like Christina, my illness severely impacts my mobility and my life.

It holds me back from being active, and while I don’t think about it every day, on reflection I rely heavily on others to keep me upright. 

Recently, I realised just how much I depended on others for physical, as well as emotional support when my husband was away for the weekend. My husband keeps me moving around the house, helps me cross the road, and is constantly on guard to catch me if I fall.

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While my husband is my most patient, strong and reliable “mobility aid,” he’s also a human being. We all know that emotional or physical dependence places strain on relationships, while we’re constantly told that fostering “independence” is the best thing for a relationship. 

But, independence, when you live with a chronic illness, is easier said than done. While the experience made me realise I had to take my physical limitations into my own hands and get moving, there’s one unfashionable problem. 

Why Are Mobility Aids So… Un-Chic?

Considering going out alone, as a young woman with mobility issues is daunting. particularly when your illness isn’t visible to others.

I have every appearance of being healthy, and I imagine scenarios where I’m accused of fraudulently trying to snag a disability spot at the shops. Or, my internal monologue will have someone jumping out at me the moment I put my cane down yelling “gotcha! I knew you didn’t need it!”

As I juggle internal (and external) stigma and anxiety, I also have to contemplate the fact that most mobility aids prioritise function over aesthetics. In short, they’re deeply unattractive.

While that might not seem important, it is when you’re fending off the above-imagined scenarios just to get yourself to the shops. 

Fortunately, I’ve once again been able to look to Veronica Corningstone for wisdom.

After opening up about her physical limitations, Christina Applegate also shared some amazing stylish canes on Twitter.

The Neo-Walk sticks come in colourful, fluorescent, transparent and sparkling varieties, with seemingly endless colours available. There are options to customise, and, as with so many other fashion and wellness products, seasonal and limited edition drops. Applegate noted she has some other sticks, but they read “F.U.M.S” so may not have been appropriate to share.

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Imagining taking my life, and my cool cane into my own hands is empowering and freeing for me. As is the ability to visualise myself moving with independence, and looking good doing it.

Unfortunately, this is not a reality for people living with mobility issues who want to shop in Australia.

Locally, the market for fashionable mobility aids is incredibly sparse. That’s despite the fact that of the 4.4 million Australians who live with a disability, over three-quarters have physical disorders that impact mobility. 

I’ve ordered my Neo-Walk stick, and am looking forward to its arrival. In the meantime, I’ve been browsing Etsy, Depop and second-hand stores, but unfortunately for now it’s the adjustable chemist sticks that will get me by until my Neo-Walking stick arrives in the mail. 

I can’t wait, because I have places to go, people to meet and work to do, and if it means I need a (chic) mobility stick to do it, so be it.