Seeing Sherlock

Last Friday I was in a bit of a state. The restrictions imposed upon me by the break down of my power chair were very keenly felt that day.

Gone was the gratitude I had for having a mobility option in the old scooter I have. I resented the fact that I was limited to a six or seven, at the maximum, block radius.

I could no longer use the subway which made my restriction complete.

On Friday I noticed that the Sherlock Holmes seasonal special was playing down at Yonge and Dundas, a theatre we go to often.

Or, more precisely, went to often. I haven’t been south of College Street since before Christmas.

I sat and thought about it. It was one in a string of things that I’d wanted to see there.

‘A Winter’s Tale’ was high on our list but it too was playing out of my reach. The scooter would get there, it’s downhill all the way.

The scooter would not make it back, it’s uphill all the way. Then I came up with an idea.

I could scooter down and WheelTrans back. I don’t know why this solution hadn’t occurred to me before, but, no matter, it did now.

I went on line and was easily able to book the trip.

On Saturday we headed down and when we crossed College, the outer limit for the scooter, it felt amazing.

It was like I could hear shackles drop and I could feel a great freedom fill my heart.

Those that don’t understand mobility in the same way as those of us who have been liberated by wheels will never understand that I’m not overstating the rush you feel from going further and farther and freer. It was awesome.

It had only been maybe a month since we’d been down to the theatre there, but it was wonderful going into the building.

Joe and I had planned to have lunch there and I was able to have a five spice tofu with oyster mushroom sandwich prepared with a ‘very hot’ sauce topping. It was awesome.

We sat and we chatted comfortably for a while and then headed up to see the show.

It was great.

Afterwards we went to the lobby, 15 minutes early, to wait for my ride.

Two WheelTrans buses pulled up and dropped people off, neither of them was picking me up, but third time lucky, I was in and on my way home.

I wasn’t actually as simple as that, my scooter doesn’t have the power to make it up the WheelTrans ramp when entering the back way, the driver grinned and said that he’d make sure I made it up with no problem.

I started up and suddenly manpower plus scooter power plus the power of prayer got the scooter right into place.

When I got over the scooter I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. My world was a little bit bigger than it was before.

I had adapted, come up with a strategy and, home now, I knew it was a strategy that works.

The poor driver, I turned to him and said, “I just want to tell you that you, and WheelTrans, you make a real difference to the quality of my life,” I was quite choked when I said it but I had to say it. It was true.

The emotion I felt was real. I meant every word I said. He was clearly moved by what I’d said and responded in a very personal way. What I’d said clearly meant something to him too.

So my world is a little bigger. It will need more planning and it will mean more waiting but it’s bigger and I’m thankful for that.

I continue to wait to know what happens next with my chair.

But the wait will be a little more bearable.