From Where I Sit

I’ve been in my wheelchair for 20 yrs, during that time I have certainly gotten used to the minor and major inconveniences of sitting all of the time. I take things for granted. By this I mean that I take for granted things I cannot do. I take for granted that when I’m in a crowd of people, I will not be able to see ahead of the crowd. My vision is limited to the back pockets, legs, purses, and yes…butts ahead of me. I take for granted that most of the handicapped spots will be filled at Wal-Mart, not by others using wheelchairs and lift-vans but by people who are walking who may or may not be deserving of the handicapped placard hanging on their visor.

But I could go on and on about all of the disadvantages of being in a wheelchair. That’s not really my purpose today. I know some walking people see me as rude and pushy, but truthfully folks I really have to be in order to see anything when shopping, at concerts or other event. But as the twenty years have passed, I find myself accepting more and more, sometimes to the point of skipping things I care about, passing up a store, artist booth, or concert. It’s often too much for me to have to constantly struggle just to see what’s going on in front of me. This leaves me emotionally spent and angry, not a good way to spend my time.
I have a video camera and really want to start using it to tape things as seen from my point of view. Time is precious to me and I will sincerely try to make time for this in 2008. The wheelchair allows me to tape pretty much jiggle free, sort of like having a video dolly on the set of a movie.