Through Rose Colored Glasses: The Supposed Perks of Being in a Wheelchair

There is an ignorance that comes along with being uneducated; the awareness of what it is like to have a disability is very low. When talking to people who do not have a disability, I have noticed that many will says things like, "Oh, you get to park in the close parking spots," or "You're so lucky that you do not have to walk around all day." Other comments include, "You're in a wheelchair, does that mean you can cut lines at Disneyland?" and "You can get into any college you want and there are so many scholarships available for you, I'm jealous!"
Even though it is nice that people are trying to hold a conversation with me (as many people will not), I do not appreciate the blanket, uneducated statements. About handicap parking spots, they are not as special as people make them out to be. For starters, the law states that for every 25 parking spots, there must be one handicap spot, and for every ten handicap spots, there must be one handicap van parking spot. Now, even though there are less people with disabilities than able bodied people, the 25:1 ratio does not fit anymore as more and more people are acquiring handicap placards and the ratio of parking spots to regular parking spots has not gone up. So, many people who do not need their placard anymore still have them, as those who had a broken foot are able to renew theirs even though they don't need it and others with elderly grandparents abuse theirs by using it when grandma isn't in the car. Another sad thing about handicap parking occurs more than it should. I see cars, without a handicap placard or plates, parking in the designated handicapped spots all the time. I do not understand why they cannot just take a "normal" spot. One time at Fred Meyer, my mom asked a boy why he was parked in the handicap spot and his response was, "What, this is a handicap spot? I had no idea!" He was standing right in front of the handicapped sign. Well, my question is should he be driving? By law, all handicapped spots are clearly marked with a sign. Also, the handicapped symbol is painted in the middle of the parking lines; even a legally blind girl like me can see that they are clearly marked! There are so many times that I have had to park in a non-handicapped spot. This entails only pulling half way into the spot so there is enough room to lower the ramp. Then, I have to get out of the van behind another parked car so the van can be pulled the rest of the way into the spot. During this process there are many disgruntled people as some think we are leaving and others are just grumpy that we are in the way. Another downfall about handicap spots is, the van handicap spot is usually the closest handicap spot to the door so, it is almost always the first to be filled. The problem with this is it is usually taken by people who do not need to lower a ramp. Not all handicapped spots are wide enough to accommodate a ramp. It would be nice if other handicapped spots were available so that those who did not need the van spot would not take it. More and more people are buying handicapped vans so there is a need for more van accessible parking spots than 10 years ago. I wish people would stop abusing their freedom to do what they want to do and start paying attention to what they should do.
Not only are people ignorant and selfish when it comes to handicap parking spots, people are just as mind boggling when it comes to lines at Disneyland. I have been told so many times that I am super lucky that I do not have to wait in lines at theme parks. At some places this is the case and this privilege I have to admit is nice. However, this privilege is slowly disappearing due to so many people taking advantage of this compensation. I say it is a compensation because most rides are not handicapped accessible and discriminate against the disabled person desiring to ride the ride. The main reason rides are not accessible is because when entering the ride a rider enters from one side of the track and then when the ride is over, they exit on the other side of the track. A wheelchair is not going to be able to cross the tracks to get to the other side, so when a person in a wheelchair rides, they enter from the exit. This is why we do not have to wait; there really is not a line for us. However, this is changing as people are abusing the "non-lines." I have witnessed people at Disneyland SPRINTING to the section of wheelchairs to rent them so they too can access the "non-lines." Now, for most rides, fast passes are used for everyone, but people in wheelchairs still have to enter from the exit.
With regards to not having to walk around all day, I would be happy to trade with anyone who desires to sit all the time. I have learned to adapt to my life style but, I would think that no one would really want to be confined to a wheelchair. I know that this comment is one of those things people say to those of us in wheelchairs because they have no idea what to say; I guess it probably is a conversation starter. My tip to everyone is this is not the best statement to start with. If you want to talk to someone in a wheelchair, maybe start the conversation the same way you would with anyone else.
Another misconception about those of us in wheelchairs is that if we are mentally capable of going to school, that I can go where ever I want and that I will practically just be given scholarships. Well, to begin with, this does not make me feel that great. I want to be judged by me, Kyann, not as a person in a wheelchair that colleges and scholarship foundations feel sorry for. I want to be looked at on the same scale as any other person going to college. Another thing is, there are not as many scholarships for disabled people as some may think. When I looked, I had to search hard for the couple that actually applied to me. There were so many that just applied to handicapped students in a certain school district or state. Others want the disabled person to become they spokesperson/poster child and travel all over the county. What is the point of going to college if you are never there?
Do not be afraid to talk to handicapped people, most of us like talking to people and are capable of doing so. The one thing I ask is do not make blanket statements, just talk to us as you would any other person. You may be surprised at what you find!

My Toilet Paper: Bathroom Adventures and Awareness

This past season, Squalicum High School hosted the Sub-Distrct 2A track meet at Civic Field. On Wednesday, I went to use the bathroom about 45 minutes before the meet was to begin. So, not all the schools had arrived and not many spectators were at the stadium yet. When I went in the bathroom, all the stalls were open except for the handicap stall. There were seven others wide open and it was very unlikely that seven girls had just finished, as the bathroom was empty except for the Blaine athlete and my mom and I. If other stalls are open, I would appreciate it if others would not take the handicap stall.
I am thankful that Civic has a handicap stall on both the away and home sides. However, on the away side, I am not able to fit my wheelchair into the so-called handicap stall. My mom or whoever else is helping me has to carry me inside the stall. Even is my chair does not fit, it is still nicer to have a little bigger stall, as it gives more room for two people.

Having handicap stalls that I am not able to fit into happens more that it should and even worse than that, I find bathrooms that do not even have a handicap stall and this happens more often than not. Going to the bathroom, something that the average person takes for granted, has turned into an adventure. Looking on the bright side and keeping humor in difficult situations that cannot be controlled, can be a great way to get through these obstacles. 

I can remember back in Middle School when one of my friends came to take me to the bathroom. I used the bathroom in the nurse's room as most of the bathrooms were always locked and the only one that was always unlocked, I was not able to fit into. However, I did not fit much better in the nurse's bathroom. Well, as two girls squished in the corner of the bathroom, we started laughing. We decided that one day I should write down all my adventurous bathroom stories. Here I am, almost six years later saying that going to the bathroom just can be "that funny."
Another bathroom situation happened with the same friend when we went to church camp. She was taking care of me and when she would take me to the bathroom, she kept smacking herself on the toilet paper dispenser. I felt bad, but every time she would laugh and say it was her fault. That same weekend, her sister also took me to the bathroom and almost planted my foot in the toilet! Good memories! 

Another funny bathroom experience was during my last year at MDA camp. Now I know this does not have anything to do with the size of the bathroom because this bathroom was a nice size and we both easily fit. However, it was funny and is a situation someone who does not need assistance would ever experience. On my old power chair, I had a bike horn bolted onto the side and each time my counselor would squat down to pick me up, she would non-intentionally squeak it. We would laugh and then she would have a hard time holding onto me, which just made the situation even funnier. This was definitely one of the highlights of the week.

So, switching gears to a little more serious aspect to a few places I can think of that do not have a handicap accessible bathroom stall. On Western's campus, the main bathrooms in Arntzen Hall do not have a handicap stall, I do not even know if there is a handicap stall somewhere else in the building. It's the same in the Humanities building; the main bathrooms are in the basement and the elevator does not even go down there. In the Viking Union, all the handicap stalls are barely big enough for me to fit nevertheless, someone else having to fit in along with me. The most hilarious bathroom set up is in Old Main. Right next to the handicap entrance is the bathroom which does not have a handicap stall. Then, over by the main entrance (with the stairs), the handicap bathroom will be found. However, in Bond Hall, supply closets on each floor have been converted into spacious bathrooms. The only problem with this is everyone wants to use them instead of the normal stalls. It is so nice for my mom's knees to not be squished up against my chair and her butt against the wall.

Squalicum High School has a similar problem as does the Viking Union. All the student bathrooms on one side of the school are too small and the bathrooms on the other side of the school are not much bigger, so I ended up using the teacher bathrooms. At first, I was told to use the nurse's bathroom, however, if I was across the school, it could take me five minutes to get to the bathroom. When I approached the issue, the school had no problem with telling me to just use the teacher bathrooms. However as a student, it was odd to use these bathrooms as they were off limits to every other student. I am glad I could use them, but being segregated out is not that special.

Fortunately, not every place has this problem. Thank you to Adagio Cafe, Prospect Cafe, Mallards, Bellingham Fred Meyer, The Market and Costco, Barkley Starbucks, Sehome Starbucks and Haggen, Woods Coffee, and Bellingham Hearthfire just to name a few. Thanks for having bathrooms that are large enough for a wheelchair user and their helper.  

Segregated Stadiums: Unnecessary Unaccessiblity

Track is a big part of my life; my parents coach and my sister throws the shot and discus. I have been to many different stadiums and what I have encountered is disappointing. I feel as if handicap people are not expected to watch track meets and if they are, no one thinks that they would want to sit with everyone else. Oh, another thing is, people must believe those in wheelchairs and others who cannot use the stairs, love getting wet.
Most stadiums that have a ramp, are only ramped to the very first stair level, which means, if it is raining, the cover will not prevent the rain from pouring onto the handicapped area. The other thing is the ramps lead right up to the walk way, so the place where a person in a wheelchair sits is so inconvenient. When I sit in Blaine High School and Sedro Woolley High School's stadiums, I always feel in the way. However, Lake Washington High School and Lynden High School's stadiums (on the away side), as well as Lynden Christian's stadium are even worse because I cannot sit in them at all. The one stadium that I despise the most is Marysville High School's stadium. There is a handicap section but, it is off to one side and feels super segregated in comparison to all the other seats.
Two weekends ago, 23 athletes from the Squalicum Track Team went to state. 2A State Track is held at Mt. Tahoma High School. So, I have now spent three different weekends at this high school and know it pretty well. What I have come to find is the grounds are not accessible to the point of a person in a wheelchair being able to go everywhere by themselves. I am not able to get to the discus ring as the side walk was blocked by bleachers and there is not a curb cut out at the entrance of the walk way. I have to go down the curb, cross the drive and then go up the other curb. this means I need two people to help me lower my wheelchair down to curb and up onto the curb on the other side of the drive. I also have to drive off the curb to get to the shot put ring because there is not a curb cut out. I also have not been pleased with the handicap seating for the past three years, however, it was better this year. The handicap section is blocked off to all people unless they have a disability. When a person sits in the handicap section, they have to be against the wall and can have only one person with them. The people who guard the handicap section do not appreciate it when those sitting in the handicap section want to come and go and not just stay sitting in their spot. I did not enjoy sitting in Mt. Tahoma's Stadium.
Unfortunately, Washington is not the only state to have this problem. Last weekend, we traveled to Portland, Oregon, where my sister and two of her friends competed at the Boarder Dual. I was able to get in the stadium, but just like Blaine and Sedro Wooley's stadiums, I sat in the walk way and the stadium roof was not going to keep out all the wet. Another thing about this stadium is it was built into the hill. So, the parking lot was up behind the high part of the stadium. The only way to get into the stadium from the parking lot was down the stairs or traveling down and around where the cars drive and then back across the track. I actually got to race on the track for the first time: race the races.
Even though Civic Stadium here in Bellingham has a handicap section on the away side, the ramps are very inconveniently located and the accessible area is segregated off from all the other seats. At track meets and football games, I am not able to sit with everyone else. However, there is one thing that I have leaned to appreciate about Civic Stadium is the handicap section is in the middle of the levels and is pretty covered by the roof. I also like that there are seats for other people, like family and friends, to sit by me. Snohomish high school's stadium is a lot like Civic Stadium. It has a well covered handicap area and has seats for others to sit there as well. The section is not segregated for the rest of the seats, as it is in the middle levels and is not off to one side.

This photo is of the away side at Civic Stadium in Bellingham, Wa. The handicap section is the cement area below all the seats.

This photo is of the home side at Civic Stadium here in Bellingham, Wa. The handicap section is the cement area that is right behind the seats.

I hope that in the future when stadiums are being remodeled or built that architects keep handicap accessibility and equality in mind. I love cheering on our track athletes and I would appreciate the ability to sit in the same, dry area as everyone else.

Hop on the Bus; Transportation Through the Eyes of the Lame

Here in Bellingham, being green is so important and I agree that we should take care of the planet. However, it is difficult to completely succeed when the bus system does not care about all of their customers. This leads to more people not being willing to ride the bus and falling back on their cars and in my case and many others: falling back into being less independent. I do not enjoy riding the bus even though it means I have more freedom and am being more green as I'd rather not be treated poorly by a bus driver, not be allowed to get on a bus, miss a bus, or not be picked up at all, which causes me to not get to my destination.
Twice I have been discriminated by the same bus driver. The first time, I got on the Indian Street bus that was heading up to campus and this driver completely belittled me and told me that I needed special loops for my chair. It would have been fine if he would have informed me in a professional manner and actually acted as if he was concerned for my safety and not just for his job. The next time he was the bus driver that came to my stop, he let all the other students on before me and then told me that there was no room on the bus; he said I needed to be the first in line to get on the bus before anyone else so I could fit. However on this day, there was also no room under the bus stop cover, so I was sitting out in the open, on the corner of the sidewalk, right where the ramp is always lowered. He did not lower the ramp and allowed everyone to get on and then blamed me for not getting on first. Unfortunately, he failed to notice that I needed him to lower the ramp before I could get on the bus. He told me to wait for the next bus.
The other times I could not get on a bus was when ramps were broken. This has happened to me three times in the past year. I do not enjoy the sinking feeling of having to wait for the next bus. Fortunately on campus, there is another bus that comes within three to thirty minutes depending on where it is headed.
This contrasts from every other route in Bellingham that is not on or close by to either of the campuses. It could be an hour between each pick-up at each stop, and on Sundays, the bus does not even run on many routes.
Even though the city bus has some unappreciated factors, the handicap transportation is very undesirable and I am so thankful I can ride the city bus (even though I do not like it). To ride specialized transportation an appointment has to be made 24 hours in advance, so that means no spur of the moment adventures. The other thing is specialized transportation may pick up the rider up to two hours before you need to be picked up, so this means the rider has to be ready two hours earlier than necessary. A third thing is, after an appointment or outing and the rider wants to go home, the bus cannot guarantee that it will be there in a fashionable time. A person could wait many hours for the bus to come and take them home. What wonderful service!
This scenario with regards to handicap transportation does not only occur in Bellingham, but Seattle and the Tri-Cities as well. The other down fall in Seattle about the handicap transportation is the spots fill up really fast and if the time spot that the rider wants is full, they are out of luck and have to figure out a different way to get to their destination. The city busses in the Tri-Cities are not very good and the city busses in Seattle are not much better.
On the bright side, I have been informed that the busses in Spokane are well run. A handicapped person can get to where ever they need easily and anyone can get almost anywhere until 11:00 at night. Go Spokane!