Hi! I was car-free for 2 years in NYC and 6 years in Oakland and SF... 6 of those years (the ones in SF/Oakland) with major chronic pain. What saved my ass were: Using a well-padded backpack, and putting the heavy stuff (cans, etc) in there instead of carrying them in my hands. Using a push cart (they are the bomb! But once I started having back pain, they were hard to get up and down stairs). Taking advantage of the lifts on buses and the elevators at train stations.
When i was using a cane this became REALLY hard. I had to use a large backpack, and do my shopping on a regular basis so that I didn't have to buy much at a time. I also bummed rides from friends a lot. I ordered some of my staples online so they'd be delivered to my house, too. When I was riding somewhere with friends, I'd ask them to let me stop somewhere to pick up a few things on the way home. There are also walkers that have rather large baskets attached, and there are these rolling things that have multiple hooks you can hang bags on - They also function a bit like a cane or walker, I think - Wish I could find the link for you! Also, some grocery stores deliver - So you can go shop, and then they'll bring it to your home.
I had a whole method towards the end of my time in Oakland: Once a month or so I'd get a ride to a grocery store (usually Trader Joe's) with a friend in their car, and I'd use that opportunity to buy all the heavy stuff - Juices, bottled stuff, canned stuff. Then once or twice a week, I'd walk or bus to a farmer's market or produce mart where I could buy a couple bags of veggies and fruit, which are lighter and more easily carried. This worked well for me.
When i was using a cane this became REALLY hard. I had to use a large backpack, and do my shopping on a regular basis so that I didn't have to buy much at a time. I also bummed rides from friends a lot. I ordered some of my staples online so they'd be delivered to my house, too. When I was riding somewhere with friends, I'd ask them to let me stop somewhere to pick up a few things on the way home. There are also walkers that have rather large baskets attached, and there are these rolling things that have multiple hooks you can hang bags on - They also function a bit like a cane or walker, I think - Wish I could find the link for you! Also, some grocery stores deliver - So you can go shop, and then they'll bring it to your home.
I had a whole method towards the end of my time in Oakland: Once a month or so I'd get a ride to a grocery store (usually Trader Joe's) with a friend in their car, and I'd use that opportunity to buy all the heavy stuff - Juices, bottled stuff, canned stuff. Then once or twice a week, I'd walk or bus to a farmer's market or produce mart where I could buy a couple bags of veggies and fruit, which are lighter and more easily carried. This worked well for me.
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