Rolling Forward: A Small Victory With a Big Impact
How one day out in my wheelchair gave me a glimpse of freedom I thought I’d lost
On Thursday, I did something I haven’t done in a very long time…
I went out with my family, and not once did I feel like I needed to compromise.
This is no small triumph. I haven’t felt this way for years. Until now, my disability had always got in the way. I was too tired, foggy-brained, and in pain to enjoy those trips out.
It wasn’t always doom and gloom — we’ve had plenty of fun together along the way. But my disability has always, in some way, marked me out as different, as someone needing extra support.
That all changed on Thursday.
I think I’ve been preparing for a day like that for the past few months. I’ve felt ready to try and re-engage with society and reclaim some of the freedom I’ve lost. A key part of that has been using mobility aids.
However, it’s not as easy as simply choosing one and getting on with life.
Choosing the right mobility aid is a process of trial and error. You have to find the money first, then do an enormous amount of research because everything is so damn expensive. And even when you finally have what you need, it can take months of use before you feel confident enough for that aid to truly make a difference.
And it’s not just the physical side. Mentally, I’ve had to come to terms with being disabled and with the stigma attached to using mobility aids in public. You get treated differently. And you also have to adapt to the unpredictability of life — a dropped kerb or some unexpected roadworks can really ruin your day.
Thursday felt like the first time when everything came together.
My mobility aid of choice was my wheelchair. I’ve learnt how to plan ahead, so I booked British Rail assistance just in case I needed ramps to get off the train.
We were heading to Norwich for a day of shopping — something that would normally fill me with dread, as I imagined narrow aisles and grumpy shoppers.
But this time, things went well right from the moment we stepped onto the platform.
I’d booked assistance, but it turned out I didn’t need it — the train had flashy ramps that electronically engaged from the carriage. Even so, the staff went out of their way on both journeys to make sure I was comfortable. And I was very comfortable in my Whill C2 wheelchair. I can only describe it as being in my armchair for the day.
Thanks to the Whill’s snazzy front wheels, I could turn 360 degrees in shops without taking out the displays (mostly).
The biggest advantage of the C2 is that, unlike my other mobility aids, it sits high. This unexpected bonus allowed me to chat to my family at eye level as we moved through town. That might sound like a small thing, but I’ve really missed just being able to talk to people on their level whilst we moved.
The only time I had to leave the wheelchair was at the restaurant where we ate. Even then, I felt much more confident — I simply parked it in the buggy area and joined my family.
It was a fantastic day — the only downside being that I managed to spend a little too much money!
If you’re battling with mobility aids or trying to come to terms with using them, stick with it.
I can assure you: things will come together. And when they do, you’ll be able to spend the day with your loved ones and almost forget about your disability.
– Paul