From Where I Sit

I've been in my wheelchair for 20 yrs, during that time I have certainly gotten used to the minor and major inconveniences of sitting all of the time. I take things for granted. By this I mean that I take for granted things I cannot do. I take for granted that when I'm in a crowd of people, I will not be able to see ahead of the crowd. My vision is limited to the back pockets, legs, purses, and yes...butts ahead of me. I take for granted that most of the handicapped spots will be filled at Wal-Mart, not by others using wheelchairs and lift-vans but by people who are walking who may or may not be deserving of the handicapped placard hanging on their visor.

But I could go on and on about all of the disadvantages of being in a wheelchair. That's not really my purpose today. I would like to show you what I see on a typical day at an art show. Because it's summer, we are going to lots of art festivals, as well as participating as artists in the shows. The going as a patron can get pretty rough. I know walking people see me as rude and pushy, but truthfully folks I really have to be in order to see anything at all. But as the twenty years have passed, I find myself accepting more and more, sometimes to the point of simply not even going to these shows. It's often too much for me to have to constantly struggle just to see in the booths, damn, it's hard just to get in the booths. This leaves me emotionally spent and angry, not a good way to spend my time.

In the coming days I'll post some video shot from my chair, this might give you an idea of what I see.