The world isn’t Made for Wheelchairs

The majority of people live in a world where they move carefree, without limitations, going from place to place without thought. They take the ease for granted and truly are never forced to look at the world from another perspective. Why would they? It doesn’t affect them. It isn’t until you are forced to live in this world in a wheelchair that you understand the world isn’t made for you.

You begin to see things you never saw before. The uneven cement on the sidewalk, the snow piles that block your path, the narrow storefront doors that are impossible to fit inside. The aisle width or even the table placement in a restaurant are now things you have to consider. Not to mention the people. The people that walk in front of you, cut you off, or stop suddenly as they stand aimlessly staring into their phones.

The planning that is involved before you simply “go to the dollar store” is surreal. You quickly learn to be flexible and patient. Everything takes longer, no more running in and out for a quick item. There is a lot of learning when in a new environment. Thoughts you are faced with include where is the elevator? Will I be able to get into the bathroom? Will my legs fit under the table so I can be pushed in to eat? Will there be an automatic door button?

One of the places we were shocked to find that wasn’t wheelchair friendly was getting onto a skytrain. We quickly learned that Julio would not be able to get on a train on his own. There is a height difference between the Skytrain platform and Skytrain. He tried all ways; at an angle, with speed, and even backwards. Each time he was abruptly stopped in his tracks as his body lunged forward. Sure if alone he could ask a stranger for help, or he could pick up the emergency phone to request a skytrain attendant to assist. However, he would just rather save the hassle and not travel alone on the Skytrain.

As we sat at the bottom of these stairs in New Westminster, we watched the many people heading up and down from the Quay. We wanted to go too! But discovered there was no elevator and would have to walk around and over some train tracks, or walk 3 blocks up the road to get to an overpass.

Again, just another example that patience is key, and wheelchair accessibility should be a priority in the world we live in.