After breaking seven bones in his foot, Derek Williams needed a mobility aid that would make everyday life easier and enable him to keep rocking as a stage-performing musician. Thanks to a friend, he found the Nitro rollator. Derek shares his experience with the Nitro before and after major foot surgery.
“I Broke Seven Bones In My Foot”
It was Christmas Eve, and I was at my local church, rehearsing for Christmas Eve services (all four of them!). The sanctuary was dark as the staff moved around, quietly making preparations. The rehearsal had just wrapped up, and the tech team turned off the bright stage lights.
My eyes had not adjusted to the dimness as I made my way to the stairs, and it was all it took for a split second; I misjudged the steps and walked right off the edge of the 3-foot stage, falling straight onto the concrete floor below.
I was in instant, blinding pain. The impact effectively crushed my foot.
I figured, right off the bat, that my foot was broken, but since it was Christmas Eve, I played 3 of the four services until I couldn’t take the pain anymore. As they say, “the show must go on”.
Having performed professionally on stages at Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Bowl and even Fenway Park, this was the first time I had fallen off a stage, and I was determined to continue despite my injury.
When I did finally make it to the hospital for X-rays, the day after Christmas, they told me I had what’s called a Lisfranc injury and had broken seven bones in my foot. It would require surgery – pins, screws, the whole shebang.
My first thoughts were, what on earth am I going to do? I have never had to deal with mobility issues of such magnitude, and my band had shows coming up – I am a working musician who spends a lot of time on stage and in the studio teaching guitar.
How the Nitro Rollator let me Rock On
I borrowed a pair of crutches from a friend, but that was slow going and painful in its own right. Every jarring step I took on crutches sent shooting pains through my foot and leg.
That’s when my good friend, Michael, offered to let me use the Drive Medical Nitro rollator. I wasn’t super excited about using a “walker,” but when I went to pick it up, I had to laugh—it was the absolute hotrod of Rollators!
Sleek and Ferrari Red, it had a very comfortable seat, which was low enough to prop my knee on and comfortable enough for me to use as a chair on stage and in the studio for long periods. It has a backrest too, which was a lovely feature. (The video above is a clip of me on stage with the Nitro)
The Nitro Rollator Walker made everything easier during my surgery and recovery. I played several concerts using it to help me get around backstage and as a place to sit on stage, since I was completely non-weight-bearing for several months.
I received a considerable number of compliments and questions about it while I used it, as many people had never seen a “walker” with so much style and functionality. Most people opt for a knee scooter, but with this injury, I was glad to have a device with more functionality and features.
I can’t speak highly enough about the Nitro Rollator Walker. It’s lightweight and folds up so slim it fits inside my small hatchback SUV. It really defined my mobility for months, while I was waiting for and then recovering from surgery.
It rolls super smoothly, with four heavy-duty rubber wheels and locking handbrakes (instead of the hazardous two wheels and tennis balls setup that some other walkers have), and it’s small enough that I could even use it inside my limited-space home. It has perfect clearance for passing through doorways.
Nitro Rollator Walker – Support When I Needed It
As I began to recover and start bearing some light weight on my foot, the Nitro Rollator Walker provided stability and balance when I walked. The hand brakes were a great feature, especially on ramps and uneven terrain.
The locking feature on the brakes is a fantastic help, too, providing security and assurance that no one will accidentally lose control and roll away (or fall) while sitting on it.
I know I’m not your typical Nitro Rollator Walker candidate, but I can tell you the Nitro is versatile enough for many people with a wide range of mobility needs. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to use it over the past months.
Lastly, I’ll admit that I gave this thing hell; I did not baby it at all—it can take a licking and keep on ticking. 5 stars from this satisfied user!
Next Steps: Check out the “hotrod” Drive Medical Nitro Rollator Walker
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Guest contributor: Derek Williams is an online marketing expert who plays a LOT of guitar on the side. He’s played for over 90 bands in Nashville, including performing on stage with major-label artists like Thomas Rhett, Mike Posner, Jake Owen, Florida Georgia Line, LeAnn Rimes, and more. He’s also performed at Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and at the Country Music Awards. He currently plays in the band Precious Byrd and teaches guitar lessons in Bend, Oregon, where he lives with his wife and two kids.
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