In the process of trying to get outside the house I found ‘security’ in the form of a broom.  I held onto it (like a crutch) and  it made me feel a little more grounded.  So when it came to getting out of the car I was stuck, but a friend had an idea….a wheelchair.  Well one thing I had learned in therapy is it isn’t about the process (or what it takes) it is about acheiving the goal.  So the wheelchair bridged the gap.  Dr Eppler called the wheelchair the rolling broom…well yeah!!!  Soon I was going more and more places.

My son has been in a wheelchair for 25 years and I thought I had seen all the reaction there were from people….but no.  When I am out in public in my wheelchair I have become invisible.  I have had people walk into my chair, hit me with thier shopping cart, cut me off so that I have to stop fast to keep from hitting them and then if they finally ‘see’ me I usual receive a nasty glare.

Now with my anxiety I don’t do well with an audience, but surely there could be a happy medium!!!  I don’t want special treatment, just equal access to society….it took a lot of work and a long time to get back out there…I intend to stay out!!!!