Travel back 25 years in time. Maybe a few years more. I was a Behaviour Therapist working with people with intellectual disabilities primarily in residential settings. I had been invited for dinner at one of the homes and had eagerly accepted. I wanted to just sit and be with people rather than have an agenda […]
We went to the movies the other day, to see Bohemian Rhapsody, and when I got to the door of the theatre it was being held open by an employee there with Down Syndrome. I’ve seen him before and greeted him with a quick hello and a thanks for holding the door. I entered. At […]
It comes to an end. The saga of my chair being stolen, please don’t tell me it wasn’t, from the door at the airplane is done. For better or worse, it’s done. I have letters to write, I have complaints to make, I have compliments to send, but that’s simply wrapping it up. When I […]
The first guy offered me an apology. He was there to help get me from one place to another and, after finding out what had happened, that my chair had been stolen, he understood why I was so upset. I know he wanted to do something, anything, to help my spirits, or to make a […]
A knock comes on the door. It’s room service. I am still sitting in the old wheelchair. I don’t want to get used to it. I don’t want my body to give in. The room service person is efficient and friendly. It was hard to bear. GET OUT OF THE ROOM YOU ARE THE WRONG […]
The airport wheelchair feels wrong to me. It holds me without supporting me. It has angles I’m not used to. It fulfills a function, that’s all. I ask Joe if we could go to the bar. I want to be out of the room, out where there is some noise and distraction, out where there […]
As is my habit, upon arriving at the airplane door, I spoke to the lead flight attendant. I pointed out that I was using my own chair, that it would go down to the belly of the plane and then be brought back up for me. I told her that twice before people have attempted […]
We are safe. But not yet quite sound. Yesterday morning the alarm didn’t go off, my fault, and we were then in a panicked rush to get to the airport. Finally made it through bag drop off, security and then customs. Made it to the plane just in time for boarding. Discovered a mistake on […]
When in New York City, we stayed at a hotel in Times Square. We did this for a couple of reasons, one was we love the energy of Times Square and two was that it was only a short walk to go to Ellen’s Stardust Diner. We try to go there every time we go […]
We were in Time Square in New York City just before a street show was about to start. An area had been made clear so that 5 or 6 performers had room to move. And move they did. They did a mix between gymnastics, dance and acrobatics. They had a smooth patter that was fun […]
