@bebold and @chuck406 - Be Bold, as way of introduction, I am a 72 YO woman who was diagnosed 4.5 years ago with CRPS in my right foot/ankle. Three years ago, I also developed pain in my left quadriceps which though not constant limits mobility and shoots knifing stabbing pains when I "overuse" it. I like you am on Medicare and have Supplemental Insurance. I recently applied to the PRC in Jacksonville FL. I have been conditionally accepted into the program. The condition is that I need to meet with a pain management specialist and a psychologist at the PRC for a final assessment that in their opinion, I am a good candidate for the program. Those appointments are next Monday and Tuesday. I applied to the program because I want to get off of my prescription pain medications - 5mg hydro once a day, and Gabapentin AND I want to learn how to safely exercise in order to build back the strength I have lost due to my limited mobility. I find that after 4 + years the hydro no longer is effective in managing my evening pain which is usually in the 8-10 range but I refuse to up the dose and become addicted to an opiate medication. @rwinney a Volunteer Mentor on this site can give you information on the PRC success with CRPS and point you to some videos that my give you hope.

As to your question about mobility scooters, I have a mobility scooter and I also use the "handicap scooters/carts" they provide at grocery stores other large stores like Walmart or Target, etc. At first I too was "embarrassed" to use them and didn't want to be seen by anyone I knew. After all, I do my very best to play down my disability when I am around friends. I refuse to give up the things in my life that get me out of the house so I continue to sing with the chorale in our community, play my ukulele and washboard (yes washboard!) with various community groups and go out to lunch and sometimes social events with my friends. I do not use my scooter when engaged in these activities because I can often sit down and only need to walk short distances.

The mobility scooter I purchased is called a Glion Snap-N-Go https://getglion.com/product/new-snapngo/. I purchased it from a local store that sells motorized wheelchairs and scooters rather than online because if anything went wrong with it, I had a place to take it and get it repaired. The model I purchased costs $1299 new. If you get a "prescription" for a mobility scooter from your PCP, they waive the tax (at least in NC). I like it because it uses a lithium ion battery that only weighs 3.3 lbs. rather than a heavy 12V battery. The battery is easily removed from the scooter so you can bring it inside your house on cold days to charge it. The base frame weighs 31 lbs. and the removable seat is fairly light weight. Glion just came out with a new even lighter version of the scooter called the "Mini" which has a frame that is only 25lbs. and costs $699. https://getglion.com/product/new-glion-mini/ I have not checked out this scooter so I cannot vouch for it.

I do really like my Glion Snap-N-Go. It is comfortable and the seat and foot rests are adjustable so you can adjust it to fit your body. I mostly use it for shopping in stores that don't have mobility carts, and for taking "walks" with my husband on a paved walking path in our town. I also take it with me when we go visit family so I can keep up with my everyone and go to events or to outdoor parks, botanical gardens, etc. with them. It is a whole lot better than sitting home and feeling sorry for myself when everyone else goes off somewhere to have fun! I do not need to use it every time I go somewhere (like to a Chorale rehearsal) or around the house, so that is a blessing. When considering a mobility scooter I urge you to give them a "test drive". We went to a store that carried multiple brands and the one I thought I was going to like I disliked immensely. The seat was uncomfortable, the ride was very jarring, it had a heavy 12 volt batter and was not really very portable. Some that claim they are "portable", make you break it down first into 4 parts in order to load it into your car.

So, how did I overcome the "embarrassment" of using a scooter? My friends saw me first using crutches, then using arm crutches then a knee scooter and I just smiled when I saw them and engaged in conversation with them the same as I had before. I even performed with my Chorale group in front of good size audiences while using the knee scooter! They are all very empathetic toward me and understand that I only have a limited number of steps (those spoons) in a day and that I will often need to sit when they are standing or will go home early because I have reached my limit. And, I am not shy about telling them; "Yes, I know I LOOK fine, but I am in a lot of pain right now and I just need to go home/sit down/do or take something to help it." If I felt I needed to use my scooter in order to do something with them, I would do it in a heartbeat.

As to strangers in the grocery store, I smile at them when they make eye contact. It makes them feel comfortable and they often offer to help or graciously move their carts out of my way. If someone (usually a young child) makes a comment, I ignore it and allow their parent/caregiver to have a "teachable moment" which they do. So in a way, I am helping to teach children how to become accepting of people with mobility challenges.

Best of luck to you on whatever you decide!