My wheelchair experience...

As a PT student at Columbia University, I knew that I would be involved in classes that would expose me to the world of Physical Therapy. I never imagined that I would need to experience the world from the perspective of the patient too! Physical Therapy Procedures is a twice a week class with a third laboratory session that exposes us to a variety of patient mobility techniques among other skills. One assignment in this class is to experience the world, your world for one day while in a wheelchair. It is the intent of this assignment to have us sympathize with patients in wheelchairs and realize just how difficult it can be to get around when confined to a wheelchair.
I was looking forward to my day in the chair. I wanted to not only got to class, but get around the neighborhood a little to experience wheelchair life a little bit. I had no idea what I was in for....

This morning I awoke to a few inches of snow and all but one class was cancelled. Karen, my "helper" for the day pushed me to class and back to my room after the lecture.

Lots of snow for my 100m commute!



I was not the only one experiencing this today!



I then had the idea to go out into the city and really get a feel for this assignment. I recruited Travis and Candice to join Karen and I to Central Park. I wanted to take pictures of the "Gates" exhibit in the park as well as experience the travel on the subway system.

On our way!



Karen starting her workout for the day!



My three helpers!!



We went from 169th up to 175th to get the elevators to the A-train. Yes, I had to use 2 elevators to get down there.

Hitching a ride on the A-Train!



Once on the train, brakes firmly locked, we rode forever to get to 34th street.



I am sure you are wondering why we had to go from 175th to 34th to go back to 66th for the park. Well, 34th was the only station from 175th on the A/C line that had handicapped access transfers to the 1/9 line. Once on the 1/9 we went to 66th street, Lincoln Center.

Penn Station madness!





Hop on board!



Once off the train we made our way East to the park. Karen was doing a great job pushing me into every single pothole she could find, as well as every deep puddle too!





I tried pretending I was dead so Karen would stop trying to kill me, but it did not work.



The Gates exhibit at the park was.... overwhelmingly Orange! Holy orange Batman! Every 8 feet or so there was a stinking orange flag. What a large amount of time and effort to put this stuff up. I guess I am not the artist type.

















Silly Candice in the middle of the street! What was she thinking?!!?




After going into the park a bit, Candice decided to go and study, leaving me in the dangerous grips of Travis and Karen.
They would be terrible care givers, but good snowball throwers! I was pummeled by many snowballs in the head and could not get to the snow to defend myself. In addition to that people passing by were laughing at me!! I was getting rather upset.





Large chunk of snow hurling towards my head! Ouch!




After that mess we made our way across the park to a hot dog vendor. This guy was a real jerk! He served the woman in front of me and then IGNORED me until I amde a rucous about getting my food. I had no idea that people could be so rude! I almost felt like getting up and smacking him around, but there were others in the park who had disabilities and I did not want to make a scene.

Jerky hot dog guy's stand!



Apparently there were several Asian wedding parties in the park today. Karen was rather upset when we saw the limos with Hello Kitty dolls strapped to the front grates. Travis and I laughed and pointed at her. It was pretty funny!



Snowman in the wall. another art exhibit today in the park!



Travis decided to push for a while because I am a bad driver. Here he decides to take a ride downhill with me. It's pretty dangerous stuff. Don't try this at home kids!!



So dangerous that we almost had to go for a ride in the "nice police van". Travis and I 'sneak' by it here before we leave the park.



Shortly after the last photo was taken, we had a problem. Karen (crazy Asian driver) was pushing and suddenly WHAM!, the right front wheel disintegrated into pieces! It was amazing. Needless to say, my day in the chair was over. We packed it all up, got some pizza and hopped a long bus ride back to campus.







Maybe I need to go on a diet!






I certainly learned a lot from this assignment. I know more about the hardships and inaccessibility of this city to those in wheelchairs. I will take from this assignment more empathy towards those who are in wheelchairs and other assistive pieces of equipment.

See you next post!!