Four days ago I was given the OK by my doctor to start walking again. I had spent 87 days in a wheel chair! My motorcycle accident has brought many learning opportunities my way. Although I would never chosen to be injured and wheel chair bound, It has been a positive life changing experience. I may very well keep reflecting on this time of my life for years to come, as it has affected me in so many ways. One effect has been a greater awareness of how difficult it is to get around in a wheel chair. Bathrooms became a big concern for me whenever I was out and about. I learned to plan on encountering difficulties when needing to use a bathroom and when I encountered difficulties so did my wife Diane, as she would often need to help me overcome the barriers preventing me from getting to the toilet! We had some adventures; some real physical challenges. We found it to be interesting and humorous at times. I am very fortunate to have a wife who can meet adversity with a positive attitude and a sense of humor. There was one particular bathroom at a city park call Chambers Grove that just about did us in due to the steep access pathway. There were the bathrooms that Diane needed to help me into because the quarters were so tight, I was unable to navigate them alone. There were toilets that I could barely get on and off ,because the hand rails were not suited for my disability. Some times I wondered if I would need to be rescued! I could go on about heavy doors that I could not open, stall doors that would not cooperate and of course able bodied people using the handicapped stall rather than the able bodied one, but why complain when I can tell you about my favorite bathroom in Duluth Minnesota.
It has assist railings on the side wall and the back wall. It had wipes for the toilet seat.
It has assist railings on the side wall and the back wall. It had wipes for the toilet seat.
