Accessibility is something that we all take for granted. This can mean a vast array of things - access to clean water, to jobs, to food, shelter, to a loving family, a safe place... Etc.
When it comes to being physically capable, access can become a major problem. Although I have had chronic illness for over half of my life, there are definite limitations that I have overlooked.
I have realized, in the last few years, how inaccessible this world can be.
In a large city centre, it is amazing how few handicap parking stalls there are. It may not seem like an issue, but I have always had anxiety over parking downtown, and finding parking spaces at the best of times can be a pretty grueling process. It's not like I can walk several blocks using the C-train, and cabs can be extremely expensive, so I am a little limited when it comes to driving downtown. I am VERY lucky that I do not ALWAYS need my cane or my walker. I could not imagine being incapable, 100% of the time, to access several parts of downtown. Not only is it frustrating, but it can be so daunting that it can deter someone from ever having to go downtown. It could help create a pattern of avoidance.
There is one specific limitation that is still not very well understood. It is a personal limitation that I was not really expecting, and it has become quite a problem:
Stairs.
Stairs are pretty foreboding these days. Sure I can climb a flight, maybe two, but after two flights of stairs, I am in so much pain and so worn out that I often cannot continue with my day until I have had an hour or more of rest. Stairs completely drain every little ounce of energy that I possess....
Having this particular issue has REALLY opened my eyes as to how difficult it must be just to get around and live comfortably in a large city centre. I took for granted that I used to be able to park wherever, work out, use the stairs as opposed to the elevator.. I did not have to constantly factor in stairs when making plans.
I did not realize that to watch a hockey game, not only did I need to climb stairs, but there are no railings in some sections. There are only a few spots that are handicap accessible, and since I do not have to use a wheelchair and still have the use of my legs, I would not feel comfortable taking up one of those seats often, if at all.
I also had not thought of the consequences of simply seeing a movie at the theatre, or buying tickets to attend a concert, or booking a reservation at a restaurant for dinner.... Stairs, stairs, and more stairs. Finding a seat in a theatre, finding our seats at a concert, or maybe going to the washroom - located on a different floor. Or what about being in a multi-level building while a fire alarm goes off...?
I recently realized that I could only participate in certain activities for a very short amount of time.
I have been wanting to take a mini vacation in a city few hours away. This place has an amusement park and a massive water park. I have always loved going to the water park and I was very excited to bring my man there.... For weeks and weeks I had checked for deals online to see when that hotel may have a Fall discount/deal. It had not even occurred to me that I actually would not be able to be in the water park for long, if at all. There are no ramps or elevators...
Of course, many people who have issues with mobility would likely be unable to use the waterslides... It could be dangerous to go to such an attraction if you suffer from a handicap. I, on the other hand, am in this strange little rare grey area - I would need some sort of elevator or escalator, but I could still use the waterslides (at least a few of them) without the activity being more detrimental to my health.
Overall, it is not that big of a deal. It is a very minute problem compared to so many others.... I was simply caught off-guard because I had not previously thought of or considered this particular limitation. It had not dawned on me until this past week that my body would likely prevent me from participating in such activities.
It makes me happy that I had gone to that particular water park a few years ago.
Unfortunately, it is a luxury that I took for granted, and a limitation that I had not considered when I was first experiencing issues with mobility.
You never know, maybe there is a water park that is more accessible, which I am currently unaware of.. Or maybe the right person will see this post and make a change to some existing water parks.
Swimming has always had an obstacle anyways - chlorine. I break out in hives and sometimes experience throat edema from the chlorine in the water - but a bit of Benadryl, cortisone cream, a thorough rinse right afterwards, and an emergency epi-pen on hand - just in case - chlorine was an obstacle I could work around. Stairs, on the other hand, are a little more difficult to maneuver... Looks like I will have to find a new activity that includes fewer stairs.