A wheelchair vacation?

I visited my girlfriend Katie and wasn't always able to use my wheelchair. I had to travel to her school and since I had to drive in her automobile there just wasn't room for the chair. I had to use my walker, because it was obviously more convenient for our situation. The only thing was is I was so costume to using the wheelchair it became my legs. I had always used the walker to get credit in my local high school gym class. I knew I was in shape physically and I was determinate to do whatever possible to visit Katie. It had been two years since I consistently use the walker, because the wheelchair could do things much faster and more effectively. So I got in the habit of automatically turning to the wheelchair for almost everything.

I forgot what it was like to be out of the wheelchair physically, thinking I was in shape and being in shape its two different things, but I'd say I did well. More than anything. I had forgotten the difference between the wheelchair and the mobile walker. I had to adjust to different sorts of obstacles such as learning time management, because of the extra amount of time it takes me to move. I then had to learn to pace myself I got used to just relying on my wheelchair's electronic joystick, all in all I handled in well.

I would say mentally, as the most challenging, because I always had this ability to consciously see people and be able to read people's facial expressions, but I was stepping out of my comfort zone wouldn't exactly be the same?

What I found were the people that I encountered. Especially when transferring in and out of vehicles were more apt to help. I think this was because I had become less threatening in the walker. I had become more approachable and physically appeared weaker than I would have in my wheelchair, because the wheelchair has the
bigger demeanor. My wheelchair does having a much larger appearance having all the gadgets and the quicker movement can make it unpredictable to the oncoming individuals. I then became more intimidating in the wheelchair.

I would say, however, that wherever I was, whether in the wheelchair or the walker. It was just a reminder that people are still timid and threatened by my presence. The people were darting stares afraid to keep eye contact. I think being in a wheelchair I knew the looks and the wandering eyes, nor did I really care in a wheelchair I could escape them people quickly with a flick of a joystick. I now was in the walker so I had to remain in the situation longer than I wanted too. I was so used to dealing with these types of awkward looks and puzzling questions, but when I can just drive away quickly and make the situation stranger. There were always be people like this that have their preconceived notions, but being a walker I had creep past them more concentrated on people looked at me. I was there for Katie and was all about making her feel comfortable.

I would say that being in the walker opposed to the wheelchair was different because I got the same problems, the same confusing looks and I had to find away to overcome these looks, but while trying to be as normal and as supporting to Katie as possible.

This was easier overcome these looks and stares, because Katie as always was so supporting and welcoming to who I was. Katie was able to see the true package. I learned that if you have a support system like I do with Katie that it doesn’t matter what I use to aid my travel and has made us so much closer.

Thanks Sweetheart
Peace Dudes,
XLOGAN