When I was discharged from the Schervier Rehab Center a few weeks ago, I received an intricate walker with hand breaks, a seat to rest if I tired, and a small inside pocket to store a few items. All this sounds very reasonable and safe. So I thought.

Should some kind friend offer to take you out in a car, you have to fold up this contraption in order to store it in the trunk of the car. Then whatever you had stored therein ends up in your lap to be replaced when you arrive at your destination. 

Last Sunday a dear friend of mine picked me up to bring me to the Ethical Culture Society for our regular weekly services. On the way home I asked to be dropped off at Ben’s Market. We did just that. She was leaving for California next day. She handed me the rollator, which I supposed still included the items I had started with. We hugged and kissed and off she went.

I did shop quite a bit, my frig was empty. I approached the check out counter opened the rollator to get my pocket book and almost dropped dead from shock. There was No Pocket Book! This meant I can’t pay, I have no keys to get into my apartment no credit cards and no eye-glasses I am a dead duck.

I was not sure whether the pocket book had slipped off my lap during the ride and I had not seen it, or if I lost it in the street.

First things first. I am a good customer of the market and they trusted me to come back the next day to pay my bill. Then a friendly neighbor opened the door for me and helped me to find the Super who has a second pair of keys to my apartment. I was inside okay but how can I reach my friend who is planning to leave for California. I called and left a desperate message for her to please check her car to see if my pocket book had been located.

Let me tell you this was one of the most harrowing days I have spent in a very long time. About ten o’clock that night my friend called and sent  me the pocket book with a friend of hers. I was unable to go out to meet the car, because the only keys I had were inside the bag.

In the future, I will know what to put inside the contraption. My blood pressure cannot take this anxiety too well! I hope to return to my good old cane in the near future.

Gerta Freeman - April 14, 2009