Every time we go out into the village it is an adventure. Usually ends with me ranting or in tears. If I were to go out alone, I would be taking my life into my own hands. Serious. NOT exaggerated. People have a habit of "not seeing". For many reasons. Ignorance. Bias. Selfishness. Disregard for others. Vulnerable others.
Well we bought one of those flags for the back of my wheel chair! NO EXCUSE not to see me. When we go out, both Mr B & I have to be 360 degree aware of what is going on. We have to think and see what cars, bikes, people are around us. We cannot assume everyone is alert and aware. They simply are NOT.
First of all, the contractors/designers of handicap access need to re-check the specs! Unfortunately, I think they are created out of lack of knowledge what a mature adult needs and what disabled people need. What they think should be standard simply is wrong. Usually a ramp is constructed too steep, not wide enough, a lip at the street level. Any of these miscalculations can cause a wheel chair to tip, whip into traffic or not be able to move on.
Every one who is involved with that kind of construction needs to travel in a wheel chair just once! They would have a different view of what we experience. The view and the experience when you have to use a motorized wheel chair is very different at our level. AND it just is not the streets or the ramps. It's about access to bathrooms and to stores. How many stores do not have good access? I have had my foot caught between my chair and the door jam. Painful. Bruised! DO NOT say you are wheelchair accessible unless you have sat in a chair and gone thru that door with ease! Bathrooms should be ALWAYS clean and operable. Toilet seats fixed and usable. What is wrong with City officials when they approve places that are not up to code?
The village we live in is less then 3,000 people. Many of the population are challenged in various ways: mentally, socially, physically. And the consideration we are given is minimal. We have approached several businesses when we encounter issues. What is rather humorous is even those who park (legitimately I will add) in handicap spots are guilty too. Next to each handicap parking spot is usually a handicap ramp access. Now wheelchairs can be wide and when the parking spots on either side of a ramp are encroached upon THAT PREVENTS a person in a wheelchair access to that business. It is not one sided at all. It's carelessness. Being unaware. In some cases, a feeling of entitlement by the offender.
And, it's not just small towns. It's any size of town. Recently in a city of a bit over a million where we travel to frequently. I was not able to easily access entrance nor table space. Next time we shall have a chat with the manager or the owner. I am a voice. I AM an advocate. Be aware, people! We may not be at your eyesight view BUT . . . STOP LOOK LISTEN. How would you feel if your mother, father, brother, sister or heaven forbid YOU were challenged? And, being that person can happen without a moment's notice. An accident. An illness. YOU can be that person who is now challenged. Be aware.
You are in the Studio with Mrs B.
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