Accessibility - A Real Eye Opener

 Today's blog was written by Richard and transcribed by My Michelle.

This week was a real eye opener for me and my family.  It was the first time I really had to venture out into public with a wheelchair.  We were headed to the Maroon 5 concert and I didn’t think I’d be able to make it with walking, so we brought my wheelchair as a back-up.  I was lucky we did, because in the end we did need it. Traffic that day was in a gridlock and all parking lots were full no matter where we went. We anticipated we had a long walk ahead of us - so wheelchair it was. But I have to say, that it was a real eye opener from a wheelchair accessibility. This was for many reasons such as:  there was a lack of signage or special accommodation for people with mobility issues and disabilities;  the ramps were not well marked in terms of location; there was a lack of designated parking or ability to drop off and pick up at the venue for people who needed assistance. We were counting on this in order for me to be able to attend the concert.  

Luckily we had our son Josh with us who was strong enough to manage the steep inclines of the ramps (when they did exist), as well as the twists and turns and getting over curbs.  Even lifting the wheel chair in and out of the back of our vehicle was a challenge and I’m not sure Michelle could have handled it on her own.

One thing that I hadn’t considered, was the impact of a crowd of walking people and I was in a seated wheelchair.  It was quite claustrophobic as the crowds surrounded us all around and of course you had people looking down at you, cutting in front, not leaving a gap etc, although most people were certainly polite.  Certainly from my point of view in a seated position, all I could see were backs and belts, and had to always be looking up at people.  I was also worried about ramming into the heels of people in front of me. As the crowd moved through the exits - again it was an eye opener, as for crowd control they had barricades up to move and corral the crowd into several queues instead of a mass exodus.  Well as people walking, you can squeeze or easily move, but in a wheelchair, you  are what you are  in terms of taking up space.  Michelle and Sophie walked on either side (my body guards Lol) and Josh pushed from behind and we made it through, but it was a challenge.

As things go, during the concert we needed to go to the restrooms - there was an accessibility washroom, but it was in a very bad state of cleanliness - and there was only one to choose from - but what can you do?  In a time of COVID and increased hygiene measures - don’t forget the accessibility washrooms! The people who need these accommodations need and deserve clean washrooms!

All that being said, we managed to find our way into the venue, made it on time to hear Maroon 5 and it was well worth the effort!  It was non-stop hits, a great stage show, and the accessibility seats had a great view!  So glad I went!

The next day, I was experiencing a few side effects and needed to go for an ultrasound of my leg as I had some unusual swelling just on one side.  I was able to get a same day appointment at the hospital to have this sorted but again, we needed to take the wheelchair and we encountered more issues with accessibility and at the hospital.  The trek from the parking lot to the main doors, involves a steep ramp as well as several sidewalk curbs that are not well maintained and have deep ruts - which of course the wheel chair wheels sink right into.  There is also only one curb that is a wheelchair ramp in front of the door, and a car was parked right in front and blocking it.  Can you believe it?  Despite there being space on either side of it, for a car to park.  We had to go and knock on the window and ask them to move so we could get into the hospital.  We barely made it to the appointment on time - but we did make it, once again.  The Erdmanns always persevere! On the return, we had to reverse the same path, over the same curbs and a downward steep ramp - it was all Michelle could do to hold on to me.  When we got to the car - I got in OK, but Michelle could not lift the wheelchair into the back of the car.  It was too heavy and too awkward.  Luckily someone was walking by and was willing to give a helping hand.  When we got home - it stayed in the car until Josh got home and could lift it out.

I will never forget these days - some people have to deal with accessibility issues every day of their lives.  Having experienced it ourselves, our family is sensitive to the issues and look at accessibility differently. I would ask that you too consider when you might hop in that disability parking spot - just for a sec as you run in to do a quick errand, or pull up and don't "see" the ramp, that there are people who depend on this and are major inconvenienced by it.

For me and for now, I continue on our palliative care journey, trying to live my life to the fullest I can.  I have a few good days, and lots of bad days, but through it all, I’m still me. So glad I have the option of "wheels" to get around.

Richard