Unexpected Challenges

For the next 6-8 weeks, I am wearing a cast on my left foot because of a stress fracture. This requires that I use crutches and/or a knee scooter so that I do not put any weight on my foot. The knee scooter allows me more freedom, than crutches, to get around almost anywhere but it is not without its shortcomings.

This past weekend, I wanted to go to an early movie and then enjoy a holiday fashion show being held in the courtyard of an outdoor mall. This is a beautiful area with a wide-open courtyard, shops and restaurants. I love to sit on the veranda, in the gentle breeze, with my coffee and read a book. However, on Friday evening, the courtyard was completely blocked off in preparation for the fashion show. This made it impossible to get to the movie theater, which is located at the rear of the courtyard. I asked a security fella how I would be able to get through the stage area to the theater. He told me I would have to go around. I was dumbfounded. I soon figured out what going around really meant. It took a couple of elevator rides in and out of the stores to discover that going around meant circling the outside of building to get to the alley that lead to the theater. The beautifully tiled sidewalks were uneven and very difficult to maneuver even with my handy little scooter. The security guards while very visible were not helpful and just shrugged their shoulders when asked about my dilemma. After the movie, I retraced the path to the front of the building, where the fashion show was in full swing.  There was a very large crowd so I decided I had enough for one day and headed back to the parking ramp. By the time I reached my car I was exhausted.
 
This experience has opened my eyes to how difficult it is for people who are physically challenged to participate in a world made for physically capable people. I will spend the next 6-8 weeks trying to maneuver with my scooter but there will be a time when I will be able to walk, ride bike and move about freely again. I am now more aware than ever, that there are a vast number of people who will always be limited and restricted by their physical issues. They will have to struggle with stairs; crowds, out of the way elevators and limited accessibility to events the able-bodied people take for granted.  
 
This time has given me an opportunity to recognize how often I look over and around people who are being challenged everyday by their physical restrictions. I am totally grateful to the people who have noticed when I have struggled to open a door or have offered to carry things for me.  How about you? Are you so caught up in your life and circumstances that you do not notice the struggle of others? Do you really “see” people and their needs? This experience has opened my eyes to become more aware of people and their struggles and offer a helping hand in order to make their life easier.