Live Love Laugh with Carol
Contact Carol
  • Home
  • Love Story
  • ALS
  • Blog
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Gallery
  • Travel
  • Media
  • Calendar
  • DONATE

Revelations in a Wheelchair

2/15/2019

1 Comment

 
I found this to be a thought provoking article in the New York Times sharing the perspective of a wheelchair user.
Picture
A doctor examining the feet of the author. A lack of sensation can lead to injuries.CreditCreditPhotographs by Nolan Ryan Trowe
New York Times Article Link
Picture
Picture
Picture
At the West Fourth Street basketball courts in Greenwich Village.
Picture
Picture
Waiting for an elevator at a subway station.
Picture
Washington Square Park.
Picture
Picture
Police officers carrying the author’s wheelchair at the Utica Avenue station on the A line, where the elevator was out of service.
Picture
Picture
Union Square subway station.
Picture
Picture
A car too crowded for a wheelchair.
Picture
The view from a wheelchair on a full train.
Picture
Inside the elevator at the Utica Avenue subway station.
Picture
Picture
Picture
A passenger holding the door of the elevator open at the 34th Street-Penn Station subway stop.
Picture

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
If you are ever at a cocktail party with someone in a wheelchair, find some chairs to place around them so people can sit and chat.  I can't tell you how much it hurts my neck to look up at people!

It seems obvious, but hold doors open (and if you have a friend, two doors open are easier to navigate through over one door).

Don't look at your phone while walking.  People often walk right into me because I have no height!  Especially in crowds.

If you have children, make sure they don't run into our chair, kids often aren't paying attention and when running around don't look and I don't want to crush little feet!

Don't be afraid to offer help, I'm often too shy to ask, but if you see me struggling, I am so grateful to accept your offer!

If you own or attend a business with one or two steps out front (or don't own it but frequent the establishment and want to point it out to management), there are inexpensive portable wheelchair ramps that can be brought out when needed.
​Just a few ideas off the cuff, please send me your ideas or questions!
1 Comment
Heather
2/22/2019 03:58:33 am

Interesting perspective (literally AND visually), thank you for sharing the article. This made me think of access issues you've experienced in different cities and how San Francisco - despite its hills! - was such a treat, even the oldest, densest, most urban neighborhoods had curbed sidewalks and accessibility consciousness. Proof positive that any city (and anyone) can help wheelchair users navigate as easily as others (although in the case of the NY subway, I can certainly empathize that, even with all the suggested improvements, it's likely not ever going to be a *pleasant* experience...!).

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Carol Jean Skinner (née Sharman)
    born October 19
    lives in Ottawa, Canada

    Archives

    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013

    RSS Feed

carol skinner  - rolyskinner@gmail.com
travis skinner - skinnertravis@gmail.com