I had an incident the other way I want to share with you because it got me thinking about a lot of things. Yesterday for the first time since February this year I went into the city without my cane. It has become such a usual part of my outwardly apparatus it hadn’t occurred to me until before now to not use it so much in the breaks of good weather. However I hurt my wrist some at the beginning of the week and decided for one day I would leave the house without it.
Later on in the day I made last minute arrangements to meet my other half in town and go catch something to eat. We rarely get a chance to do it so I agreed not realising it would entail that much more walking without my cane. My legs were a bit wobbly so I went to catch an elevator and I happen to be travelling with a friend from work in the same direction.
The elevator was almost full but there was enough room for us to both get on if we all ‘hunched up a bit’. I really didn’t want to have to stand for five minute until the next one came, that was worse than walking for 5 minutes. A lady with a bike behind us, that had no hope of getting in the elevator, looked at the pram, the elderly and then us two younger looking people and loudly asked ‘Do you to have a problem with walking?’ in a pushy manner. Even if we vacated they was no room for her.
When I turned around and emphatically said yes there was almost an begrudging and disbelieving tone about her. It may have of course been my paranoia, but regardless this brought something up in me. My cane is an indication to the outer world that I’m fragile and I’m a priority. I’m 30 so the second my cane isn’t beside me I look young and healthy and should ‘get back in line’.
I realise now that there is another reason I keep my cane with me, besides the fact it is a real help for my legs when moving out in the world. It signals to others my status, that I’m disabled, so they can act accordingly. Why should there have to be a requirement for me to outwardly fit a certain picture of disability in order to be considered humanely?
As it just so happened just before I had witnessed two elderly ladies with crutches on a bus being ignored by the driver even after pressing the buttons and yelling for him to stop. I know that when you take a bus when your mobility restricted you get off where it entails the least walking. Two extra stops may not seem a lot to some considering they were on the same main street, but I know it would be difficult. That’s why I’m taking the bus to avoid that strain! Poor Ladies. I hope they took the bus right back! (At least in Denmark you can do that in the city)
I offer these words for reflection…
