Last week I had an incident.
With all the nicer weather days, I started feeling like a happy little bear emerging from my winter hibernation and wanting to go explore the outdoors again.
Because like a bear, winter and I do not go together.
Being in a wheelchair, I struggle even more than I do regularly. Wheeling through snow is basically a no-go. For one thing, the wheels on my wheelchair get stuck on the little apple seed or glitter bead that can be found on my kitchen floor at any given time, so you can imagine piles of snow being basically my Everest.
For another thing, since my hands do all the work, the cold steel that they are touching on the wheels causes all kinds of issues for my less than capable fingers.
But last Monday was sunny and I could see most of my driveway again under the melting snow. Plus, I hadn’t gotten my mail in two weeks. So, I hoped onto my scooter and brightly headed out the door with my boy by my side.
Only to get stuck, right on my front ramp.
Luckily my son was there or I might still be just sitting there. He brought me my manual wheelchair and helped me get through the snow back into the house. I called all of my usual contacts to help me get the scooter back inside, and my mother even panick-called her coworkers to come check on me. Which meant three different cars pulled up to my aid…
It can be quite tough living with a disability, I’m sure that goes without saying. I definitely went through long term phases of self loathing and being left out in my youth; but generally, I am well adjusted to who I am.
I have grown to embrace the unlucky hand that I was born with. I’ve seen how it has actually made me a better person by giving me a unique perspective. It has made me think with more of a creative solutions mind, and I cannot stand to see anyone left out. Always loved the underdogs, because I am definitely one. I have also learned about the little hidden benefits like better parking, bigger bathrooms, and skipping the odd line here and there.
Other days I feel so beaten down by it. I get stuck in my own driveway, I don’t get to pick up my mail, I’m too weak to do my usual chores, and I miss all of Winterfest because I can’t push myself through the snow to the arena for the activities.
All that to say, this time of year can be a little hard on me. I feel that sun peaking out more and more each day and I start itching to get back out there. Then another snowfall hits and I’m back to staring out my kitchen window like a little old lady in a hallmark movie.
I long to get back to doing our dinners at the park, or scootering out to bring cookies to my favourite Ear Falls-ers, or go for a wheel around the block before bed. And don’t even get me started on how great our beach is here.
So as the snow continues to melt away, I will be happily watching from the safety and warmth of my front window. And soon, I will be back out, enjoying our little town.
