Guess who may have your number now? The Do Not Call list needs to be updated or telemarketers may be breathing down your... er... phone. Under one email addy you can register up to 3 phone numbers.
donotcall.gov
9.23.2007
This is what happens when you have nothing to blog about
This is a short essay that I wrote for a class. Feel free to read it if you have nothing better to do.
No Walk in the Park
To say that being confined to a wheelchair limits your accessibility to the world is an understatement. And to be an able-bodied person in a wheelchair, albeit briefly, is to look into a world generally ignored and under appreciated.
I never had the illusion that being confined to a wheelchair was a cakewalk. But surely getting into, out of, and around in a brand new building built to meet ADA requirements has to be easier than the alternative... right? Wrong. Of all the things I expected to walk away from this practical assignment with-a new appreciation for my health and mobility, for example-I didn't think I would be angry.
To begin this assignment, I decided to enjoy the fresh air and exited the Math building by using the automatic doors to head over to the new Nursing building. After getting used to moving the wheelchair I was able to maneuver it through the door but it seemed fairly crowded to me. The wheelchair that I was using wasn't overly large, but I did notice that other students partaking in the same exercise were using wheelchairs wider than mine. I wonder if those wheelchairs would have fit through the same door.
After complaining at length that my arms were getting tired from pushing the wheelchair, I arrived at the new building and noticed that a door on the outside of the building had a rather large button on it to open the automatic door. This push button was located on the right side of the double door and I wheeled myself up to it to activate it. Imagine my surprise, then, when the right door started to open...toward me, blocking me in. I had to quickly maneuver the wheelchair around to the other side of the door before I got blocked in (or smacked) by it so I could enter the building (the automatic doors into the Math building open inward). Once that adventure was complete I wheeled myself further inside to explore the building as instructed. After a brief visit down the length of the first floor I retreated to find the elevator to take me to the basement. There it was... behind a set of double doors, with no easy way to access it. At first I tried to open the door by pushing the wheelchair against it from behind, with little success. It was only after someone else opened the door that I was able to enter the area and call for the elevator.
I was pleased to find that the elevator was much more accessible than the doors leading to it so I sat and enjoyed the brief trip to the basement floor. (I wonder, does the basement floor always smell like marijuana?) It was strange seeing a water fountain now at a perfect level for me ("they" got that one right). Getting back to access the elevators was much of the same experience as before. By this point I was more than mildly annoyed that a brand new building built with such amenities as automatic dimming lights wouldn't have an easy way for a person in a wheelchair to actually utilize the elevator with ease.
As I traveled from the Nursing building into the Science building I was dismayed to find that little attention was paid to the floor between the two areas. The Nursing building is an addition to the existing Science building, the outside facade a perfect blend between old and new. But inside I found that there was no smooth transition between either building and as a result the floor was rough where the two met. My wheelchair became stuck there between the two buildings and I had to build momentum to project me forward and come away from the grooves that I had become stuck in. These same grooves could trip an able bodied person, as well. I was shocked that such a simple thing could have been overlooked.
I have heard many great things about the new Nursing building, but after my first visit I have yet to be impressed.
No Walk in the Park
To say that being confined to a wheelchair limits your accessibility to the world is an understatement. And to be an able-bodied person in a wheelchair, albeit briefly, is to look into a world generally ignored and under appreciated.
I never had the illusion that being confined to a wheelchair was a cakewalk. But surely getting into, out of, and around in a brand new building built to meet ADA requirements has to be easier than the alternative... right? Wrong. Of all the things I expected to walk away from this practical assignment with-a new appreciation for my health and mobility, for example-I didn't think I would be angry.
To begin this assignment, I decided to enjoy the fresh air and exited the Math building by using the automatic doors to head over to the new Nursing building. After getting used to moving the wheelchair I was able to maneuver it through the door but it seemed fairly crowded to me. The wheelchair that I was using wasn't overly large, but I did notice that other students partaking in the same exercise were using wheelchairs wider than mine. I wonder if those wheelchairs would have fit through the same door.
After complaining at length that my arms were getting tired from pushing the wheelchair, I arrived at the new building and noticed that a door on the outside of the building had a rather large button on it to open the automatic door. This push button was located on the right side of the double door and I wheeled myself up to it to activate it. Imagine my surprise, then, when the right door started to open...toward me, blocking me in. I had to quickly maneuver the wheelchair around to the other side of the door before I got blocked in (or smacked) by it so I could enter the building (the automatic doors into the Math building open inward). Once that adventure was complete I wheeled myself further inside to explore the building as instructed. After a brief visit down the length of the first floor I retreated to find the elevator to take me to the basement. There it was... behind a set of double doors, with no easy way to access it. At first I tried to open the door by pushing the wheelchair against it from behind, with little success. It was only after someone else opened the door that I was able to enter the area and call for the elevator.
I was pleased to find that the elevator was much more accessible than the doors leading to it so I sat and enjoyed the brief trip to the basement floor. (I wonder, does the basement floor always smell like marijuana?) It was strange seeing a water fountain now at a perfect level for me ("they" got that one right). Getting back to access the elevators was much of the same experience as before. By this point I was more than mildly annoyed that a brand new building built with such amenities as automatic dimming lights wouldn't have an easy way for a person in a wheelchair to actually utilize the elevator with ease.
As I traveled from the Nursing building into the Science building I was dismayed to find that little attention was paid to the floor between the two areas. The Nursing building is an addition to the existing Science building, the outside facade a perfect blend between old and new. But inside I found that there was no smooth transition between either building and as a result the floor was rough where the two met. My wheelchair became stuck there between the two buildings and I had to build momentum to project me forward and come away from the grooves that I had become stuck in. These same grooves could trip an able bodied person, as well. I was shocked that such a simple thing could have been overlooked.
I have heard many great things about the new Nursing building, but after my first visit I have yet to be impressed.
9.16.2007
Things that have happened in the last 2 weeks
I was hired by a fitness management company to do personal training. Drop and give me twenty!!! This both excites me and terrifies me on several different levels, and ultimately it puts me one step closer to my goals. The light at the end of my tunnel is growing brighter, my friends!
Because I'm spending so much time at the gym, either working out myself or putting clients through the rigors themselves, I'm getting back where I'm wanting to be physically. No one wants a frumpy looking personal trainer. And my legs are gonna be rocking!
The trainer shirts that we get are on backorder. Silently, I'm annoyed by this. Subconsciously, I am worried that they are holding out on me in case I suck. Think good thoughts!
I took my first two exams in psychology, back to back, for which I proclaimed to the instructor that I just was aiming to pass the test. I was one of four who scored an A on the first test, and the only one to score an A on the second. Yes, I did spike the ball in the end zone, as a matter of fact. Then I did the Macarena.
I netted a 91% on my first Nutrition exam, taken last night online. Ok, so I got an A. But um, hello... it was online. Online means open book, and I carefully reviewed each question and then reference my answers. Twice. I want to know why I missed 8 questions (grrr) but I won't know until next week. I don't want to give information and advice on a 91. Just like I don't want a surgeon who scored an 85 on her final exam operating on my brain!
I received an invitation to join Phi Theta Kappa, a "international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs." The two advisors for the society from my school just happen to be my Nutrition instructor and my English teacher (I got an A in her class). I think I am gonna join up because I will then be eligible for a number of scholarships. Next years tuition could be paid for by the school!
My daughter Abby has me pegged. Yesterday we popped into Target to pick up a birthday present for a party she was going to. As we get out of the car Abby says to me, "Mama, no farting around. We go in and we get out. No looking at CD's!" She's five and a half.
After a very brief visit to Target we shuttle over to Slackers and I tell Abby that we're only going to be inside for a couple of minutes. "One minute", Abby instructs. It's at this point that I remind Abby exactly who she is talking to.
At Blockbuster last night I found Sahara in the bargain bin for $3.99. I scooped up that puppy quicker than you can say "Matthew McConaughey shirtless". Excuse me while I wipe the drool off of my chin.
Because I'm spending so much time at the gym, either working out myself or putting clients through the rigors themselves, I'm getting back where I'm wanting to be physically. No one wants a frumpy looking personal trainer. And my legs are gonna be rocking!
The trainer shirts that we get are on backorder. Silently, I'm annoyed by this. Subconsciously, I am worried that they are holding out on me in case I suck. Think good thoughts!
I took my first two exams in psychology, back to back, for which I proclaimed to the instructor that I just was aiming to pass the test. I was one of four who scored an A on the first test, and the only one to score an A on the second. Yes, I did spike the ball in the end zone, as a matter of fact. Then I did the Macarena.
I netted a 91% on my first Nutrition exam, taken last night online. Ok, so I got an A. But um, hello... it was online. Online means open book, and I carefully reviewed each question and then reference my answers. Twice. I want to know why I missed 8 questions (grrr) but I won't know until next week. I don't want to give information and advice on a 91. Just like I don't want a surgeon who scored an 85 on her final exam operating on my brain!
I received an invitation to join Phi Theta Kappa, a "international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs." The two advisors for the society from my school just happen to be my Nutrition instructor and my English teacher (I got an A in her class). I think I am gonna join up because I will then be eligible for a number of scholarships. Next years tuition could be paid for by the school!
My daughter Abby has me pegged. Yesterday we popped into Target to pick up a birthday present for a party she was going to. As we get out of the car Abby says to me, "Mama, no farting around. We go in and we get out. No looking at CD's!" She's five and a half.
After a very brief visit to Target we shuttle over to Slackers and I tell Abby that we're only going to be inside for a couple of minutes. "One minute", Abby instructs. It's at this point that I remind Abby exactly who she is talking to.
At Blockbuster last night I found Sahara in the bargain bin for $3.99. I scooped up that puppy quicker than you can say "Matthew McConaughey shirtless". Excuse me while I wipe the drool off of my chin.
9.02.2007
My husband is so fired
Tonight the family took a dip in a pool while we visited with some friends. Never missing an opportunity, I swam over to Jim and wrapped my arms around him, enjoying how great it was to float in the water together. Pretty soon I was cradled in his arms and I cooed to him, "Ah, honey! You do love me after all these years!"
Jim, never missing an opportunity, started walking towards his friends while I was still happily ensconced in his arms and announced, "Look! It's the first time in ten years that I can actually carry my wife over a threshold!"
The viewing will be held September 5th at noon, funeral to follow at 2pm.
Jim, never missing an opportunity, started walking towards his friends while I was still happily ensconced in his arms and announced, "Look! It's the first time in ten years that I can actually carry my wife over a threshold!"
The viewing will be held September 5th at noon, funeral to follow at 2pm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
