When I was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I told myself: “I won’t let this change me.” I pushed through fatigue, ignored the heaviness in my legs, and convinced everyone — even myself — that I was “fine.
”But MS doesn’t ask for permission. Slowly, quietly, it chipped away at my world.
First, it was avoiding long walks. Then, planning trips only around places with benches. Eventually, the simple joy of strolling through an airport, visiting a museum, or taking a spontaneous dinner out became exhausting puzzles. How far? How many steps? Will I make it back?
The hardest part wasn’t just the fatigue. It was the feeling of losing myself. Friends posted vacation photos. Families made plans. And me? I started saying “maybe next time” far too often.
The Battle With PrideI
swore I’d never use a scooter. To me, it symbolized defeat. A white flag. Admitting that MS had won.
So I resisted. Even when my partner suggested looking into mobility solutions, I waved it off. “Not yet. I can manage.” But what I really meant was, “I don’t want to feel embarrassed. I don’t want to be seen as sick.
”What I didn’t realize back then was that by clinging to that pride, I was letting MS rob me of life’s simplest pleasures. It wasn’t about walking — it was about living.
The Breaking PointOne day, after canceling a long-awaited family trip because I couldn’t face the stress of airports and walking, I broke down. The walls I had built around myself became undeniable. I wasn’t protecting my independence — I was trapping myself.
That’s when I first read about the ATTO Mobility Scooter. At first glance, it didn’t look like a medical device. It looked modern, stylish — even smart. Something clicked in me. Maybe independence wasn’t about walking every step alone. Maybe it was about having the right tools to keep going.
The First Flight With ATTO
The day came when I finally took the leap. I rolled my ATTO in trolley mode through the airport, heart pounding. Would people stare? Would I feel “less than”?
Instead, something incredible happened. Nobody stared. Nobody whispered. I was just another traveler, wheeling my sleek device like carry-on luggage.
When it was time to board, I folded my ATTO in seconds and slid it into the overhead bin. No waiting for special assistance. No embarrassment. Just… normal. Equal. Free.
That trip became more than a vacation. It was proof that MS no longer controlled my choices.
Life After the Leap
Since then, everything changed.
Energy: Instead of burning myself out on walking, I save my energy for living — laughing with friends, exploring, being present.
Confidence: The stylish design makes me proud to use it. People don’t see “a medical device.” They see me.
Freedom: ATTO fits into taxis, hotel rooms, even restaurants. No more saying no. No more “maybe next time.”
Equality: I don’t feel like the odd one out anymore. I feel like a traveler, a guest, a participant — not a patient.
What I once feared would make me feel “less than” turned out to make me feel whole again.
Your Turn
If you’re living with MS, maybe you’ve had the same thoughts. Maybe you’ve canceled trips, skipped dinners, or let fatigue shrink your world. Maybe you’ve told yourself, “Not yet, I can still manage.”
I get it. I was there too. But I can tell you — choosing ATTO wasn’t giving in. It was breaking free.
👉 Wondering if ATTO is right for you? Take our quick compatibility check and see how ATTO could fit into your journey.
