My name is Charley Chapman, and my journey with mobility challenges has been long and evolving. I was born in San Diego to a Navy CB, meaning my childhood was filled with travel and constant change. I never truly put down roots until I met and married my wife of 48 years. Together, we settled in the fertile lands of Central Washington State, where we built a life filled with love, adventure, and countless memories.
For years, my career took me around the world. I worked for a company that distributed manufacturing equipment, which allowed me to visit places I had only dreamed of—Europe, Australia, Egypt, Kuwait, and Central and South America. I loved every moment of these travels. However, in 2009, my world changed when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Slowly but surely, my legs lost strength, and the long journeys I once took with ease became impossible. For safety reasons, my international work trips ended, and with them, my ability to explore the world in the way I had always loved.
Retirement didn’t mean the end of my adventures, though. I still had so many places I wanted to share with my wife, so many experiences we had dreamed of having together. But my mobility issues made those dreams feel distant. Walking long distances became a struggle, and I knew I needed a solution if I wanted to keep traveling.
I spent two years researching folding mobility scooters, searching for one that could handle travel demands. Many claimed to be compact and travel-friendly, but none truly met all my needs. I might have to compromise, using different scooters for different situations. Then, I discovered the ATTO folding mobility scooter from Movinglife.
While no scooter for mobility could fulfill every single want, ATTO checked all the boxes I needed. It collapsed into a compact, space-efficient size with an FAA-certified battery, making air travel much easier. Its range was impressive, and though I initially had concerns about the three-wheel design, they vanished as soon as I rode it. Yes, it was more expensive than most others, but the choice was clear when I weighed the pros and cons.
Shortly after getting my ATTO, my wife and I were invited on a three-week road trip with friends. We traveled over 2,500 miles, pulling a 30-foot trailer through Zion and Bryce National Parks, Arizona, and beyond. Space was tight, but the ATTO, which folds to the size of a suitcase, fit easily with room to spare. In Zion and Bryce, I hopped on and off tour buses, wandered miles of trails, and didn’t have to limit myself to only the paved paths. Best of all, I had enough energy left to do a good amount of the driving—something I’ve always loved.
From there, we visited the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, and even the London Bridge in Arizona. Without the ATTO, not only would my enjoyment have been restricted, but my family and friends would have had to slow down for me. Instead, I could keep up and fully participate in every adventure.
Now, we’re looking ahead to more travel. We have an Alaska cruise planned for August and a tour of Israel in November. With the ATTO, I know I’ll be able to navigate busy airports and ports with ease without imposing on others.
Wherever I go, people notice my scooter for mobility. I often get questions about it, and I love demonstrating how easily it folds into its travel and trolley modes. Other scooters for mobility users are the most impressive—they can see how much freedom it gives me. While no device is perfect, the ATTO has met nearly all my needs. I look forward to finding a more comfortable seat, and it would be great to have an easier way to carry a water bottle. But those are minor issues compared to the independence and adventure this scooter for mobility has given me.
The ATTO gave me back not just my mobility but also my freedom to explore the world with the people I love.
