"I find myself going to people younger than me, often healthier than me and yet having to carry them downstairs because their 'flu' makes them unable to walk." I found that resonating, but perhaps not the way one might think. In two of the three times I was transported by ambulance, I offered to at least climb into the ambulance (at the time I weighed 240lbs - is that 17stone?) but was told that the rules (most likely for fear of lawsuits in case of a fall - patents leaving hospital after a full night or more in a bed must be taken by wheelchair at least to the curb/kerb because of this) would not allow it.