Losing the physical self

Throughout the last few months there has been various little changes around our house to help Anita get around. Her bedroom has had some grab rails added so that she can practice her standing and propel herself along. One of the biggest problems has proved to be the door thresholds. Not long before Anita’s injury we installed new doors front and back. Unfortunately like many doors there is a bottom lip where the door goes deeper than the threshold. This has meant that any internal ramps fitted need to be temporary.

The rear door is very narrow but with the new ramp Anita can pull herself outside with a small struggle. At the moment she can’t get back in because there is a small 45 degree piece of wood. A longer ramp, or alterations to our decking will need to be made. The small front wheels on her chair make it difficult for her to propel herself over even the slightest rise.

The front door is a major issues because there has been a refusal to take Anita out on health and safety grounds. Hopefully this new temporary ramp inside and the one outside will mean this will soon not be a problem.

While watching South Today last night, I saw an article with Martin Skarrott complaining about able-bodied users using disabled parking spaces at supermarkets. This also annoys me, but extends beyond supermarkets to encompass all disabled parking spaces! Since my bad reaction to my operation, I have been stuck in a wheelchair and need the space around a disabled space to get out of the car. The person driving the car has to put my wheelchair alongside the car so I can transfer out. I don’t have the freedom to park elsewhere, as other parking spaces don’t have the room I need to manoeuvre.

Most able-bodied people who park in disabled bays are just thoughtless and don’t realise the inconvenience they are causing to genuinely disabled people. Even some disabled badge holders can walk very well and should ask themselves whether they really need to park in a disabled bay or can use an alternative.

If you wish to support this campaign, visit the BBC ican website.