As some of you may know, I am new to using a wheelchair. I
only have to use it part time, for distances. I use it up at the college to go
to my classes. Now that the weather is getting better, I am going to start
parking in the parking lot furthest away and wheeling over to the building
where my class is.
The first bad experience I had was even before I had to use a
wheelchair with any regularity. It happened when a friend of mine and I went to
stay in a bed and breakfast. This incident happened when I was going through
the weakness issue I wrote about that was caused by the cholesterol meds.
When we got to the bed and breakfast, the stairs to the house
were VERY steep. I looked at my friend and I almost cried. How was I going to
get in there? She told me not to worry. She would go see if there was a ramp in
the back. There was a ramp, but it might as well have been two, two by fours
next to each other. Because it was so treacherous and tiring for those who had
to push me, I could only go out once a day. The only good things about that
experience were the breakfasts and the sleigh bed.
Another experience I had, just this year was in Philadelphia.
We had gone to see the play my niece had designed the costumes for. Before the
play, we went out to dinner. When we go to the restaurant, there were steep
steps out front. My sister went to ask if there was a wheelchair entrance. The
hostess said there wasn’t, so I ended up having to walk up the steps. In the
meantime, the hostess had found out there was a ramp I could have used.
Once we were seated, we were asked to let them know about 10
minutes before we were ready to leave. That way, they could set up the ramp.
When we got ready to leave, they had to move a mop bucket and a few other
things out of the way. It was a very tight space. The ramp was a rickety thing
butted up against the side of the building. We even had to steer past a couple
employees outside smoking. The good thing about the experience was that was the
best burger I have ever had! All things considered, I would go back if only
just for the burger.
I would appreciate it if
those who read this would share any experiences they have had. Thanks!
At the apartment where I live now, there is a park that I can see from my sliding door, but there is no way that I can access it without going a fair way around the park because the walkway is next to a ravine and I'm scared I'll fall in, plus they have the big garbage containers right in the way. It makes it pretty difficult when I need to take my dog out.
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ReplyDeletesorry - I'll post below. Computer demons. HA!
DeleteI'm not in a wheelchair, but I use one for my daughter when we go shopping. Anna has seizures, and while she's mobile, it's simply easier and safer to use a wheelchair in stores. Just this week, we went into Walmart and she needed to use the bathroom. I had to move two shopping carts from in front of the bathroom door while the employees at the customer service desk watched me. Then, even though the bathroom sign said wheelchair assessable, there was a pretty big bump that I had to lift the wheelchair over. So frustrating!! I can't imagine if I were the one in the wheelchair and I was by myself. I guess I would have wet my pants. SIGH ...
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