Playing it safe.
I’ve noticed something interesting. And in a way I’m kind of sad that I’ll have to go against it.
Because I know my family members raise these issues out of concern for my safety.
In the next few years, I’ll have the opportunity to move back into Cuyahoga County…
I love the neighborhood I live in now. It’s well kept, quiet, ..pretty darn upscale.
(it’s very atypical for housing for people with disabilities to be in upscale neighborhoods…this is a unique situation.)
But…in the part of Lorain County I live in, there is very very little in the way of accessible transportation.
Which is the biggest reason for me to accept the move back into Cuyahoga County. (The second reason is that I’d be closer to family and friends)
It appears my family (both sides) have real concerns about this move.
The conversations often go something like this:
“You know you really ought to consider staying. This is such a great place.”
or “We think you should just stay here.” “This is wonderful.”
To which, I always answer, “Would *you* live without a car?”
They, of course, say no.
Well, since I’m unable to drive…Public transit is my “car.”
And frankly, I’d like it back.
I leave home rarely, due to the difficult nature of one of my impairments, but when I do leave, I’d like to have more options than an ambulette for medical transport only. (And who knows how long Medicaid is going to keep covering medical transport in the state of Ohio?)
And, yes, I’d have to rely pretty heavily on transit to emergency grocery shop, (my home health person can do the regular shopping), get to church.. get laundry quarters,things, that since the apartment complex is literally smash up behind a strip mall, myself and the power chair can handle nicely in good weather in my present place.
The family’s perception of the neighborhood I’d be moving into is that it can be unsafe sometimes. I agree with that. I wouldn’t be going out evenings or early mornings. I’ve lived in the exact same area of Cleveland before, when I was first married, and I think I know the drill.
I do appreciate any concern for my safety. It’s welcome. But I’m not going to play it safe, I’m going to shoot for some more independence.
How is it…
That the Supercuts where I went today is completely wheelchair accessible (including the shampoo/perm/dryer alcove) and the dentist office I visited is not?
I’ve heard of a lot of nightmare experiences with Supercuts via Facebook, but mine is great with skilled folks and an amazing franchise managers.
(for anyone local in Denver it’s the one on Colorado Blvd.)
And then there’s mental health
I’ve found a completely accessible shrink’s office which is good. but a therapist? My past therapists rooms are inaccessible via wheelchair or scooter, though the building itself is. One therapist canceled me outright when she discovered (by checking after she’d been there three years,) and found there were stairs on both sides of the entrances to her building.
I have a third, which may work out…who does not take Medicare.
Do people never think that some of their patients might need fully accessible offices to access their services? I also have a partial problem with my Primary Care Physician’s offices….It just seems so illogical.
Best Accessible Event Planning list ever
is here. (more in the comments at link also.
The most ‘accessible’ inaguration in American History
First, I’ll list what I do give inagural planners a pass on:
They cannot guarantee enough accessible viewing spaces because there is no way to estimate how many people with disabilities will be attending…
That being said, there is a major difference between ‘You may be turned away because all available accessible viewing spots are full,” and, “We had to stop accomodating at some point and well, I guess you folks will be faced with several large obstacles standing between you and attending this historic event…so your best informed choice may be staying home….separate from the rest.
Word is that security concerns mean that people with impairment or disability who wish to attend the inaguration are being advised that there will be no accessible parking, closed roads and bridges, uneven grassy pavement (At the mall)...while there will be two drop off points for people with disabilities they are far from their designated seating (meaning blocks away)
Other bloggers have brought this up, and my concern is the bigger picture…
If any other minority was facing a similar type of hurdle (limited access with some features or setups actually working against them) there would be an outcry.
I hear *crickets*
One simple and innovative solution to the drop off point issue mentioned by another blogger, would be to obtain, security sweep and security clear some accessible busses to move people from the original drop off point to the accessible seating….and the answer seems to have been “its hard.”
Of *course* change of any kind is hard.
It’s what you folks campaigned on and what you are striving for.
ADA doesn’t get suspended just because *its hard.”
No one should be encouraged to stay home because ‘it’s hard.”
Midlife And Treachery 
