Most people are taught as kids not to take someone else’s toys—not without permission, at least. As they grow older, they are told not to steal, and by the time they reach adulthood, it becomes an expectation that they respect other people’s property.
Unfortunately, not all seem to learn the lesson. This redditor experienced it firsthand when an old lady in the store tried snatching his rollator out of his hands. Upset with not getting what she wanted, the woman even followed him to the parking lot, where she then proceeded to scream until the store manager intervened.
Scroll down to find the full story below, where you will also find Bored Panda’s interview with the OP, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions.
Walkers and rollators can significantly enhance some people’s mobility
Image credits: Rollz International / pexels (not the actual photo)
This person had to fight an old lady off after she tried stealing his rollator
Image credits: jm_video / envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: LordBaranof
For the redditor, it was the first time someone tried taking away their rollator
In an interview with Bored Panda, the OP shared that that was the first time someone tried taking his rollator. “What annoyed me the most was that she just tried to physically take it from me at first,” he said. “Even I wait and ask someone if I can use their cart.”
The redditor shared that people are generally understanding and go out of their way to accommodate him or assist him if they can. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with the woman at the store. “I think [the rollator] just looked nice and she just wanted it. I've been complimented on it before by others, just not with the level of ‘I want’ that she had.”
Image credits: RDNE Stock project / pexels (not the actual photo)
Rollators are reportedly the most commonly used type of walking aids
A person trying to steal anything can make the victim understandably upset, let alone take something that is crucial for their mobility. In the redditor’s case, it was a rollator; also known as a ‘wheeled’ or a ‘rolling’ walker, this type of mobility aid is equipped with wheels and a built-in seat that allows people with difficulty walking to stop and take some rest when needed.
According to a Walking Aids Market Analysis Report, rollators are the most common choice of mobility aids, as they reportedly comprised the largest market share—over 67% of the total market revenue—in 2021. That year, the US walking aids market was valued at close to $300,000 while the global market size reached $2.2 billion.
The report noted that more than 19 million US adults are unable to walk a quarter-mile and an additional 40 million have at least one physical function disability; that means quite a few people can benefit from rollators, walkers, and similar aids. The OP’s story only goes to prove they are necessary for many, as some individuals are even willing to grab others’ personal rollator out of their hands.
It’s unclear if the lady really thought the rollator belonged to the store or she simply wanted to make use of the OP’s walking aid, as it wasn’t “a piece of cheap white plastic”. Be that as it may, the plan she had in her mind didn’t bring the results she hoped for, and the redditor left with all of his possessions safely in the car.
Unfortunately, the OP wasn’t seemingly the only person who has had to safeguard their walking aids from others, as fellow netizens in the comments discussed encountering similar situations themselves.
The OP answered some of the redditors’ comments, sharing more details
Some people have encountered similar situations themselves
