Special Privileges

“I shop?”

“Yes, but I don’t have that luxury. I can only reach two shelves, if I want anything on other shelves, I have to find a store person or some kind soul to get it down for me. Plus, in that store, many times there are boxes in the isles or other people shopping carts. You can and get around them or step over them. I cannot.”

“I never thought about that.”

“That’s because you didn’t have to. Now you finish your shopping, what you do?”

“What do you mean?”

“You take your merchandise to the cash register, you pay for it and you leave, right?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what I have to do to do that. I have to find some kind soul to put my merchandise on the conveyor at the at the register. Then I have to go find some kind soul to move the shopping carts so I can once again go under the shopping cart bar so I can get to the front of the register. Only then can I pay for my things and get them. Then have to find someone to hold open the doors again. When I can get outside I have to once more risk my life by going across a parking lot, because YOU are parked in the blue zone.” Now you tell me what “special” privileges I am asking for that you don’t?”

Mark was speechless, but I think he gained a better understanding that day that people in wheelchairs are not “special”, just “different”. I hope all who read this will too.

This conversation took place pre-ADA. Things have improved considerably for people in wheelchairs since ADA. ADA put us on the road to the equality we desperately needed.. We have yet to reach the end of that road, but we are much, much closer.

* By the way, should you want to read more of my writings, please check out these two websites:

http://www.triond.com/users/catherine+shimozono

This one you may have to cut and paste.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/449451/catherine_shimozono.html