A Day Out in a Wheelchair
Before I had mobility issues, I took my ability to get around for granted, the fact I could take steps two at a time, walk for miles without feeling the slightest bit of fatigue and shop within the hustle and bustle of people without worry. I didn’t even stop to think about what it might be like for those who didn’t have the ability to pound the streets in such a way and as such it was a shock the first time I went out in a wheelchair.
In a wheelchair I became to many people invisible, it wasn’t uncommon to have a bag to the head and in all honestly it added to my fear of going out, as not only could I not walk, but I didn’t feel safe when sat down either. Then there were the places it was impossible to get to anyway, places with steps and no ramps and oh my fear of lifts didn’t help when it came to moving from one floor to another. So when Fenetic Wellbeing got in touch and asked if I would like to take in the challenge to see how accessible my local town is, I thought why not.
We were asked to take on the challenge of shopping, going for a meal and to the cinema, now I have to be honest and Lichfield doesn’t have a cinema. So we would normally, for that, head to Burton-On-Trent as they are quite a disability friendly when it comes to parking spaces outside and comfortable seating (as well as a number of wheelchair spaces). However, although situated close to a number of restaurants, it is located in a little outlet centre, outside of the main town centre and as such makes getting to the town centre, not as easy as it could be, unless we moved the car between locations.
The other choice would be Tamworth, which while easier on the shopping side and has a restaurant next to the cinema, which is actually just across the road from the main shopping centre; I find it isn’t as disability friendly. They do offer wheelchair seating and the do have a number of larger more comfy chairs, but to access these you have to pay a premium. While the normal seating is rather, at least for me, uncomfortable making the whole experience of watching a film rather painful and a lot less enjoyable than it could be.
That’s just the cinema issues, honestly next time you’re shopping take a few moments and look around, there are some shops out there that still that don’t offer enough space for wheelchairs to fully get around. To give you a bit of an idea on what it can be like think of your favourite department stores the main aisles are a great illustration of an easy to get around space, but venture from them too far and often the distance between racks can be a little too close for comfort if you are trying to steer a chair through them.
A similar situation is repeated in many restaurants, main aisle are made, to make moving around easy, but when you get into the main seating areas, it is often impossible to get through them when you are sitting in a chair.
With all that in mind, to be honest with you, I don’t remember the last time myself and Ash went out for a day that included all three of these elements. As to really make it possible, it would be a lot of effort and energy that I really don’t have to spare sadly anymore.
So next time you are out shopping, perhaps keep an eye out for those in a wheelchair and make sure to give them room (and please don’t hit them over the head with your bag). What’s more, if you spot an aisle that perhaps needs to be cleared a little to offer more room, point it out.
Have you ever thought about how getting around your local shops might be for someone in a wheelchair?
*I received some gift vouchers to help with this post.
It’s amazing the things we take for granted. It is even more amazing how little many of us think about those who are in wheelchairs. We should always be grateful each day that we have mobility and take the time to see if those who don’t need our help
I hurt my foot a couple of years ago, and it was hard to get around. Doing simple task. Makes you appreciate being able to walk.
It really does doesn’t it – I think many of us are just so use to being able to be and do, we don’t think what it is like for others. x
Praise god for all of these disabled friends that we have right here. Very inspiring story.
I can’t believe you’ve been hit by a bag. I never look at those in a wheelchair as invisible. I think I acknowledge them more and always help in anyway I can.
It’s happened so many times and then if they do realise they have done it only a few say sorry mostly you just get a blank stare :/
I love that this makes you think about how it doesn’t come to your mind unless it affects you. I really think that there should be more awareness about this.
My folks are guilty of being completely oblivious of others when out shopping 🙁 this post has made them more aware of wheelchair users. Makes them appreciate how much they take for granted.
Thankfully I have never been in a wheel chair but I have been on crutches a few times. It can be very hard to get about and it’s a shame people are not more considerate.
This is such an interesting post. As an able-bodied person I definitely take that for granted.
I do think about it and I try to be considerate. Hold doors or help out with whatever I can. Or just get out of the way.
wow madrespect to you for posting about this and raising awareness. Thank you for sharing both your wisdom and experience in these situations. We have people in wheelchairs working next to us and I always treat them as equals, we joke we chat we interact and yes I do help them with the odd opening a door but that’s not coz they can’t do it but rather coz I would do it for anyone else.
I wish the world was more accessible for everyone. I think everyone should try this out.
It makes me sad people aren’t more considerate. 🙁 I do have to say though I am quite surprised how many places I have seen that aren’t wheelchair accessible – especially the sports parks my son plays it! It blows my mind!
It’s good to see more places are getting very accessible for wheelchair users x
Ah your have to tell me where these places are!
This is such a thought-provoking post. I always take it for granted the fact that I can walk and move around easily. In this day and age, places should be more wheel chair friendly.
It makes me angry that not enough people accommodate for wheelchair users, its disappointing that they do not take you into account.
It is so sad – I hope one day they will, I think may places are going the right way at least.
This is such an interesting post and it highlights such a big issue that a lot of wheelchair users face. I cannot relate to being in a wheelchair but I’ve been on crutches a lot and struggled getting around places.
I have thought about this before (as I was in a bad car crash when I was younger and couldn’t move for a while), but I didn’t leave the house at that time. I do take for granted being able to move around, and I really shouldn’t.
It’s weird I often wish I had run more because I don’t really remember what it is like now – it is a strange feeling. x
It’s never really crossed my mind what life would be in a wheelchair. I’ve never been injured before so I’ve never required one thankfully. Thank you for opening my eyes and let me see a different perspective.
I had a bad leg injury for 10 weeks and had to use a wheelchair and it really opened my eyes to the difficulties and how the simplest of things became almost impossible. I always used to9 offer help if I saw someone in need, and this made me do it even more
It is almost like a different world you suddenly live in, I don’t think people realise how hard it can become. x
Others should be more sensitive with people who are in wheelchairs they are struggling to go around the city as it is, it would be nice to be a little considerate. I think this is a nice challenge, although tough, I’m sure you had a great time.
I did have a wonderful time was nice to get out and actually explain to others what it is like as well. x
A thought provoking post, this. I suppose it would be a lot easier in the city where everything is paved. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be in my own rural environment. There’s only one person I know in a wheelchair (she has MS) and she doesn’t leave the house.
I’ve just moved to a village and there are parts of the pavement it just gets to thin to have a chair on. Although I wouldn’t go back to the town it’s much nicer here. x
I get so annoyed when others don’t help those in wheelchairs. So many people o see won’t even move out the the way for them and give them some extra room – so rude!
It is madness, I mean I would never suggest going up and starting to randomly push someone around but making way for them is just a must!
I often think it must be frustrating for people who travels on PT – especially around like London. I completely understand your frustrating and more need to be done to help people in wheelschair. xx
Thankfully I haven’t had to tackle public transport (yet) as I learnt to drive just before things got a lot worse o I can on the whole get myself from A-B but I can imagine it is such a nightmare!
I have often remarked to Adam how frustrating it must be to be in a wheelchair, as parents we constantly moan about the difficulties of having a pushchair… just imagine that is a constant struggle for you in a chair, not a child who will grow out of it. There isn’t enough accessibility anymore.H x
I remember my grandpop when he was in a wheelchair. I can’t imagine myself in his situation.
Doing this must really make you view the life from another perspective…
It is a real eye opener to how it is for many people day in and day out. x
I remember vividly when my mom was in a wheelchair or needed to ‘borrow’ an electric scooter after her liver transplant surgery. What we did really depended on whether the place we were going to had electric scooters and how much they’d be. Sadly, we didn’t do a whole lot- other than the zoo and the mall. But I wouldn’t trade those times for anything.
I’d love to have an electric scooter so I could propel myself but your right they are so expensive. Perhaps one day. x
I think it’s important to think about these things. I can imagine a lot of places just aren’t very accessible in wheelchairs .
No, there are so many things I used to do that I just can’t anymore and it is a shame. x
interesting post. There are a few shops in my near town that I know would be pretty difficult for a wheel chair to go through! Which is a shame.
It is really sad – I can think of so many off the top of my head. x
When my mum was in a wheelchair after operations on her ankle she found it really hard getting into places and people don’t talk to you they talk to whoever is with you which is so wrong x
It is amazing how you are just viewed differently, I’m sure I become invisible. x
Its strange that able bodied people never think of these issues, thanks for highlighting them.I for one will most certsily make more effort when out .
I just don’t think people realise – it’s the bags that get me the most, I find I avoid going out because of it tbh as it plays with my anxiety.
This is such a helpful post. In the US we really do have a disability sensitivity and requirement in our commercial spots. It’s the law. ADA.
To be honest, I’ve never thought about this before. Now I can’t stop thinking about it.
Aww sorry – I didn’t mean for it to play on peoples minds <3 x
I see your frustrations. A stroller is similar to a wheelchair and there are many places that are not easy to get in and out of with the stroller.
I find a lot of modern heavily dense built up areas are only suitable for people who walk not people in wheelchairs, people with buggies or the elderly. Planners and developers need to do better and think about everyone when they are designing places.
They really do – you would think we would be getting at making things more accessible for all not worse. x
My mum was in a wheelchair for the last five years of her life and it was an absolute nightmare going into town – mostly because people park on the pavements and you just can’t get past.
I was just talking to a friend about this – it is amazing how people don’t think how others might not be able to get around. x
I have always been very disability aware as both my parents worked in disability rights. But I first became of some of the practicalities of these issues when my friend had to start using a wheelchair (thank goodness her mobility issues have improved and this is no longer necessary) and she pointed out things I’d not have thought of like people no longer make eye contact with you. I also realised ‘wheel-based issues’ when I had my daughter and started having to get around London with a set of wheels (albeit not in the same way and with the same limitations). So I always make eye contact (when its normal to do so) with wheelchair users going by, and instead of fleeing or pretending not to notice when a wheelchair user comes on the bus, I ask if they are okay with sharing the space with my daughter’s stroller and so far they always have been and we have lovely chats. London has slowly become…better…at being disability friendly.
YES! I love this – thank you <3
This post has really got me thinking, for someone like me who doesn’t rely on a wheelchair, you’ve mentioned a lot of things I honestly wouldn’t think twice about on a day out. My previous job in retail is one example – we had a changing room for people with wheelchairs, but often just anyone would use it. Our floor wasn’t so easy to get around, with rails packed tightly together, and I remember once how dissapointed a lady was when our lift had broken and she wasn’t able to get to the second floor which is a shame. We take these things for granted so much when in reality, it doesn’t take a whole lot for a shop or a venue to make itself more accessible for wheelchair users.
I went to a farm shop the other day it was over two levels I could only go around the ground floor I actually left quite disappointed as I would have loved to have seen the things they had on offer upstairs.
I’ve never given it much thought to be honest but I bet this exercise really put things into perspective xx
I honestly don’t think many people think about it until them or someone they are with is in that situation. x
What a thought provoking read, it’s something that we can take for granted as we don’t think how it’s not as easily accessible for those who are in a wheelchair. A lot of places are now trying to make places more accessible if they have the funding etc.
It can b e hard I think so many places were made before people thought about it but hopefully slowly things will become easier. x
Really interesting piece. I used to work with children in wheelchairs and was always aghast at the lack of provisions for them at times!
When we were on holiday this year I found that when a person was kind enough to open a door for me, other people would push through to get through the door first as if they had no time or consideration for me in my wheelchair. What really gets my goat is that we have a huge chemist nearby which sells all sorts of disability aids…and has two steps to get in and not other access. I’ve not been to the cinema yet but I know our local one has room for wheelchairs. Our city centre is pretty friendly so long as you can get into a lift in the main shopping arena, it seems like no able bodied person wants to take the stairs. And my biggest bugbear, people who park their cars blocking drop kerbs. I have to say though, we were made very welcome at Pizza hut the other day, despite their being 7 people in our party and me in a wheelchair. They put an extra table at the end of a long one so I’d have room. It’s not always bad.
Some people really are just so ignorant aren’t they – all it takes is waiting a moment and letting the person pass! x
It honestly never crossed my mind…..that was until i started taking my grandma out in her wheelchair. We live in Coventry and while the outside spaces are very wheelchair friendly, getting around the shops is a nightmare! There were two shops which had enough space for wheelchairs around the racks but other than that we just couldn’t get around! As for other people….the amount of people who would push through doors when we were trying to get in and out of shops…how rude!