If you’re anything like me, walking is something you rarely give a second thought. Yet there are many people in Croydon, Bromley and the surrounding areas who don’t have this luxury, and after an accident in July, I spent eight weeks seeing the world from their perspective.
Of course, nobody wants to be in a wheelchair; yet on the few occasions when I needed to go out in one, I found it much harder than I thought. People would stare at me, only to look away guiltily as they met my eyes, despite the seemingly obvious plaster cast covering my leg. This made me feel not only slightly ostracized, but guilty - because I knew, had I been one of those walking around, I wouldn’t have been able to meet my gaze. I know that for the fully mobile there is always the worry that you are staring or appearing too sympathetic; however, I, along with, I’m sure, every other person confined to a wheelchair, felt the need to be treated like a normal human being, rather than something to be wary of. Having said that, there were some who found themselves able to talk to me; this minority managed to ease the difficulty of going out in a wheelchair.
Getting around was, of course, an issue, and I soon found myself wondering how people with permanent disabilities manage. Certainly, as I was wheeling myself through cafes and camera shops, I found a new respect for them, and certainly became aware that, although my summer did not go as I had expected, I was lucky in that I would get better. One thing that did surprise me was the difficulty of managing even small steps; and though people may sometimes wonder whether or not they are worth the money or space, I was incredibly grateful for any ramps available, whether I was in the wheelchair or on crutches. I’m sure you will agree that it is incredibly important to make as many places as possible wheelchair accessible - certainly, in the future I will always be looking out for ways of helping the mobility impaired to get to places easily, and urge you to do the same - whether it’s writing to your local MP or simply helping someone who is in difficulty.
My leg’s almost healed now and I’ve once again become one of the lucky majority who can get around on their own two legs. However, if my summer taught me anything, it was not to take anything for granted - because you never know what’s going to happen.
