Walking / mobility aid alternative to wheelchair suggestions and housing freak-out

Hi everyone, Bit of a rant/convoluted one ahead. I think I need to let off a bit of steam as well as get advice. I've never spoken with people who also have AS about this, so I'm hoping there will be some understanding and relatable things ahead! Buckle up :)

I live in the hills (Hebden Bridge ) in Yorkshire and absolutely adore where I live, but unfortunately am having to move to a different house as we have four flights of stairs and a silly steep terraced garden. I'm spending most of my time in my bedroom on the top floor as we've got a toilet, kettle and meal bars (shout out to Jimmy Joy). It's just unsustainable and too depressing for me to be constantly getting really upset at being unable to be in my garden and being unable to leave the house and enjoy our surroundings. The garden and nature gives me life and is everything to me... It is the one thing that brings me joy and I've been able to love as my independence has been eroded further and further. It's the only thing that has given me a sense of independence when that seemed to be lost tbh. My quality of life has tanked recently and it is mostly down to our house just being really unsuitable to where I'm at with my AS. In addition to AS, I also have Sjogrens Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

A bit of medical info: I tried cosentyx for a year, but had to stop due to too many issues with picking up infections. I'm currently on Rinvoq but have had to pause, and my consultant is looking at an alternative medication as it isn't working as it should. My symptoms/condition deteriorated while on cosentyx, but that was better than Rinvoq. I haven't been pain-free for over two years at this point and I am now struggling with most joints, constant lower and upper back pain and difficulty in breathing due to pain behind my chest and irritation from Sjogrens. I'm having x-rays next week as I think there's a concern of fusion in the area. Some other related things going on too but I won't go on. I don't expect to be pain free and think this is it really, but I do hope we can balance out things and reduce the pain and deterioration. I'd like to maintain the "good" days for me and hope they can outweigh the bad ones (flare ups).

I use a cane whenever I'm walking outside of the house and getting around. I used to adore hiking and I still love being able to go for small walks and being on the moors when I can.

I want to stay in Hebden, and me and my partner found a perfect house at the top of the hills. It only has one flight of steps and about eight small steps in the garden. In comparison to my current house, that seems flat! The only issue is that the car parking is about 10m from the house, and it's a gentle hill/incline. I know this is doable for me a lot of the time, but I'm aware that when I'm struggling, it's not doable at all.

Now - I'm of the mind that when I'm flaring up, I'm trapped in the house anyway. And the house and views are so beautiful, and I'd be able to access the garden even when flaring. In short - the house is my dream. I'm just aware that accessing the door to enter it might be difficult some times.

That brings me to the question of mobility aids: Wheelchairs are absolutely not for me as sitting too long causes pain. I can't ride on buses as they trigger flare ups due to jolting when seated (I never realised how much you move on UK buses until AS!) I was looking into off-road segways and realised that something like this would be PERFECT for me. And it could potentially make living in the dream house even easier. But it would be really great to use, even if we didn't live there.

So finally, my questions for you wonderfully patient readers: Is there a mobility vehicle that is like a Segway but has a fold away or optional seat? Something that could be off-road if needed and ideally I stand on and lean (leaning is so important for me!) but I could also occasionally sit if needed?

Secondly: Am I being delusional with the dream house option? I'm cool with tough love. You folx get it more than anyone else. But finding the next home is so so stressful because I'm trying to think ahead, but I also don't want to resign myself to the bungalow out of the hills yet. I just don't know how to find the right balance. Perfect area, dream house and surrounded by nature is so beneficial for my wellbeing and I know that can help me and alleviate symptoms exacerbated by stress... All the vitamin D and fresh air too!

Anyways, I won't keep on rambling. Any advice is so so appreciated. Or sharing similar experiences. And joining in on the rant is welcome - I'm here to listen too!

Big love to my AS kings, queens and icons x