By Lisa Salvatore
Some days I don’t feel disabled or handicapped. I’ll park in a distant parking spot, and confidently walk into the store or restaurant. I want to exclaim to the passersby – hey, look at me, I parked in that far-away spot, way over there!
Other days, I may appear strong and healthy, but my legs and feet tell a different story. Internally, they weigh a ton. It takes every ounce of energy to walk into the store. Add some untreated ice or snow and I’m working an obstacle course. Those days, I’m grateful for the handicap parking spots, and I hope nobody questions why I parked there.
On this particular day, I was getting a double dose of “obstacle.” Along with my potential issues from my condition, called Charcot- Marie-Tooth (CMT, a form of muscular dystrophy) my body was weighed down with chemo. It ached. My legs ached, my feet ached. It was that internal bone ache, like how you feel when you have the flu.
This is my third time going thru chemo. Actually fourth, if you count the before-surgery and after-surgery chemos separately. I knew somewhat what to expect. I had this happen before and it sucked. Exercise helped though. So, I got dressed, braved the cold and committed to going to water aerobics at Westminster Swim Center. It would do the trick. Water is healing. It would help my aching body. The class is awesome. The people in the class are awesome. I would feel awesome.
As “awesome” as it all is, there is an issue, and it’s the facility. As much as I love it, I find it can be frustrating. The handicap parking is limited. Where the main parking is located, there’s only one handicap parking spot and it’s rather far away. Off to the side there are three handicap parking spots, but they’re positioned on a slight incline, on uneven ground, and at night there’s no light.
On this day, I was going to the morning class. Daylight was not an issue. But all handicap spots were taken. I almost cried as I parked in one of the farther locations. Now, I know that can happen anywhere. The spots are taken. It just was one of those days where my legs were like lead. Laboriously, I slowly trudged through the parking lot and made it to class. They had put lots of salt down, so no obstacle course. That was good! And class totally uplifted me – physically and emotionally. It was awesome!
I’ve done both the morning and evening water aerobics classes. In the morning, the pool is warmer and the class a little less vigorous, but really you can make the exercise as easy or as hard as you want with the amount of effort and energy you put into it. They are both great exercise options.
Once class was done, I waited for the shower. This is one of the best parts, going from the cool air to warming under the hot shower. First, it reminds me of my Dad. He always took his showers at the gym. He said it saved him on hot water and the water pressure was strong. Well, that’s the case if the showers are working. Westminster always has one or two not working. On this day, three were not working, one of which was the handicap shower.
Once again, using the handicap shower for me is similar to handicap parking. Some days I need it, some days I don’t. And honestly, the handicap stall there isn’t overly helpful. There’s a seat and a hand-held shower if you want to use it, but no grab bars, which are essential. There’s a shelf someone may inadvertently use as a grab bar which is not a safe or secure option. There’s a free-standing chair, but no grab bar to help one balance or move up and down from the chair. Luckily, after class this day, I was fine to use a regular shower stall.
Don’t worry, along with this post I will be writing them an email. The fact that folks have to maneuver through uneven terrain in the dark, and up or down an incline to get into the facility, is an issue. And then, once there, you may not be able to take a shower because the handicap one isn’t working or isn’t properly equipped. Yes, these conditions are unacceptable – but on the bright side, water aerobics definitely helped to heal both my body and soul.
Finding the Ability to overcome obstacles.
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