I am a city woman! Been in cities my whole life... First New York City and finally, after a few other urban homes like Vancouver and Madrid, I settled in Toronto many years ago. All these cities have transit systems. Just normal stuff... you run for the bus, you rush down the subway steps, and you leap into the train as the doors are closing sometimes.
Ok (looking over at my scooter), I don’t do that anymore, not for the last two years. I go every place I can get to on my scooter. And if I can’t get there on scooter, well, it probably doesn’t exist anymore, right? Well, it was right, and just fine with me, at least until yesterday.
My friends, Dave and Joe, invited me to go to the movies with them. It was way down town and they were going to (gasp!) take the subway! I honestly considered not going, it was such a scary thought to me. Those trains are big, there is a space between the train and the platform, and there are lots of people! What if someone pushes me? What if I get caught in the doors? What if…..
On the way to the subway, our little group chatted and laughed. Joe and Dave are such lively, warm people. I forgot about the trip ahead until I saw the first elevator. For heaven’s sake, you would think I was born on a farm and had never seen an elevator. I actually froze for a second.
Dave went ahead into the elevator in his power chair and then Joe and I went down. We continued on through a somewhat confusing journey of hallways and elevators. But each time, Dave would go first and Joe would chat with me and tell me what level we were going to, and open the door to get in and then out.
On the platform, Dave moved a little away so he could get in a different door and we wouldn’t be rushed or crowded. Joe stayed and chatted with me till the train came. I held my breath and on we got! Dave had given me the strategy beforehand to be ready to exit at your station from either side.
Joe stayed and chatted with me for the two stops till we got off. And I got off! I didn’t get stuck; I didn’t hit a wall… nuthin!
We made it to the theatre through some more hallways and elevators. We waited in line, apparently invisible at one point as some people stepped around us and got in line in front of us – but we got tickets and snacks and we got into place for the movie. And I took a deep breath and felt my eyes fill up.
I had given up a big piece of my City life without a fight. I had ‘accepted’ that I couldn’t go places and didn’t even try. I was really mad at myself about that. Why do we do that sometimes? People who normally are determined and strong, just give up? Is it like a quota of aggravation is reached?
I already know the answer, I think. That whole trip had been a series of small kindnesses, little gifts of attention and care and thoughtfulness from both Joe and Dave. You know, I simply would have chickened out and gone back home in other circumstances. Maybe I should let myself off the hook for whimping out sometimes, and be as encouraging and kind to myself as my friends were to me.
So thank you Dave and Joe. I was touched by your generosity of spirit and maybe I can cut myself some slack. And as a bonus, like you said Dave, my city just got much, much BIGGER!
Tessa Armstrong
What a great story!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on breaking through a barrier, "with a little help from your friends," (in keeping with the Beatles' come-back.) And woo-hoo, you have taken back your city!
ReplyDeleteUm, I meant "Beatles music revival," not "comeback," silly me! :)
ReplyDeleteTessa, I am a scooter user too. For me, it's scary to think I could get stuck somewhere without help, but going with other people somewhere new for the first time (or with a different mode of transportation) changes everything. I used to take public transport by myself when I traveled, but now I'd very be hesitant to do so.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on such a breakout in your thinking. I'm glad you had people like Dave and Joe to help you.
ReplyDeleteYeaaaaaa!! Watch out Toronto, here Tessa comes!!!
ReplyDelete:o)
Now I'm all sobby.
ReplyDeleteTessa, I totally get where you're coming from. I, too, was a city gal who would hop on a bus or subway without a thought. It was like walking into the kitchen...you don't think about placing your feet one in front of the other, you just 'go'. But now, with a power chair much like Dave's, I've found myself limited to Wheeltrans and Hubbytrans. Then...one day after visiting the zoo, we were ready to go home two hours before Wheeltrans was due to arrive. We're only about a 10 minute drive from the zoo, so my kids said, "C'mon Mom, let's just take the bus." My insides turned into a solid block of ice. I couldn't! The 'what if's' piled on top of me, pressing me down into my chair. But, I've tried very hard to teach them to be brave, to let nothing stand in their way, so my words had come back to bite me in the ass. Such is motherhood. With a terrified smile on my face, I mounted a TTC bus for the very first time since getting my chair. And I lived! We were home so incredibly fast, and in one piece, I began to wonder why I ever took Wheeltrans at all. Thank God for good friends and family that are there to drag us, sometimes kicking and screaming, into new experiences. Thanks for guesting today!
ReplyDeleteTessa, I'm so glad your city just got bigger and that you have such wonderful friends!! Joe and dave sound like very sweet guys!K
ReplyDeleteadult coed beach volleyball melbourne florida You know now who rarely writes on the subject, very pleasant to read, I would advise to add more pictures! So engrossed that I missed a football Really? amazing. Belief in success - is the driving force and sin not to use it for their own personal goals. cool All zdryam! Today marked the second anniversary maintaining your blog. Congratulations on not imposing ourselves, we would like to know the author and perhaps a comment: and what time you run your resource? Frankly, had difficult moments, when visited by the thought to throw this case. First, because of the departure of the index of PS Yandex, later - due to lack of time. But after a while you begin to understand that it is sometimes useful to lay out on the list (in this case on the web page your thoughts, share something interesting with our readers. The author of this resource would like to wish the inspiration for the new positions will never leave! Good luck ... A huge Thank you to you! and more posts on this topic will be in the future? It is waiting! You know now who rarely writes on the subject, very pleasant to read, I would advise to add more pictures!
ReplyDeleteadult net flix You normally happy about us with the best phrases thanks, take! Thanks to a huge, super article. A great portal, but it's worth more to add information Really? amazing. And you know what a holiday today? Few feelings .. but nice ... Thanks to author a blog for the information provided. Interestingly, and cognitive, and will have something on this subject?
ReplyDeleteCelebrity Well without untoward happens - even a schoolboy on holiday give job. - Charles Lamb decided to help and sent out a post in the soc. bookmarks. hope to rise in popularity Most people are happy as much as they have decided to be happy. - A. Lincoln They like. Must be waiting to continue. This topic is certainly of interest to all. Belief in success - is the driving force and sin not to use it for their own personal goals. A huge Thank you to you! and more posts on this topic will be in the future? It is waiting! Blog is excellent, plenty to like! blog in my favorites
ReplyDeletegay teens in los angeles You can still search in Google .. Thank you, useful thing. Many find useful for themselves How delightful !!!!!!!!!!!!) I NRA) is a good idea. Super! Everything is very clear and competently, and at the same time without philosophising and narcissism, and in accessible language. Rare case when a person is divided into topical and interesting infoy. Thanks to author! Laugh not a sin, but admit it when you read this information at least surprised me:)) super original
ReplyDeleteLesbian decided to help and sent out a post in the soc. bookmarks. hope to rise in popularity All read satisfy my interest but "No matter how cursed himself, others certainly will do it better.") Thank you very much! I took a too-handy. Thank you! Article interesting. The site just super, I will recommend to friends! Well of course tin ... Thank you very much! I took a too-handy. Your site in the opera is not the adjustment is shown, and everything is fine! спасибки you for your clever ideas!
ReplyDeletefun valentines sex ideas rasskau you also an interesting story .. Interestingly, and cognitive, and will have something on this subject? Many find useful for themselves On your blog, familiar in the ICQ link tossed. It turned out that nothing I liked. Tepr always read will I thank you - for the warm welcome) I thank you - for the warm welcome) Here you decided to help a bit, and sent this post to social bookmark. I really hope your ranking will increase. Added to your bookmarks. Now will you read much more often!
ReplyDeletehistorical background information of sex education You know now who rarely writes on the subject, very pleasant to read, I would advise to add more pictures! You normally happy about us with the best phrases thanks, take! Greatest number of people can join only the lowest common denominator. - FA Hayek In my opinion you stole this article and placed on another site. I had already seen. Yes, the news went on inetu and distributed by starshnoy force Laugh not a sin, but admit it when you read this information at least surprised me:)) Few feelings .. but nice ... share: but we have to work all pouvolnyali, and what to do now?
ReplyDeletethong blowjob flash movie Who is mulberry? All true, but how else? fabulous idea ... we would learn ... great. On your blog, familiar in the ICQ link tossed. It turned out that nothing I liked. Tepr always read will Interesting Login or register, but you should add more articles Very glad that there was a desire to take this position in quotations! Thank you! In quotations! Happiness - not a reward for virtue, but virtue itself, not because we enjoy the happiness that curb their passions, but rather enjoy the happiness makes us able to curb them. - Spinoza Hmm ... well, it pamoymu have extreme ...
ReplyDeletegay atlanta aa Hmm ... well, it pamoymu have extreme ... They like. Must be waiting to continue. This topic is certainly of interest to all. Well without untoward happens - even a schoolboy on holiday give job. - Charles Lamb fantastic! ... Added to your bookmarks. Now will you read much more often! Blog just super, I will recommend to friends! Thank you great! very nice, so we would have done so
ReplyDeletegay shower room cam china Wine and women bring to us super original Thank you! Article interesting. they were more Super! Everything is very clear and competently, and at the same time without philosophising and narcissism, and in accessible language. Rare case when a person is divided into topical and interesting infoy. Thanks to author! Thank you! In quotations! Why have a blog such attendance is low ... the way to put things in your blog or deterioration, will help remove Well of course tin ...
ReplyDeletegay tag team video free Very good site, but not bad-would make a version for smartphones. Accidentally saw. Not expect. п»їVery interesting! Not very often can not understand how to update your blog? You read this and think .... A salary of between 5% per day I like your posts So engrossed that I missed a football agree with the author Many find useful for themselves
ReplyDeletekim kardahian sex tape blog in my favorites moskvasoset i ne ebet! So engrossed that I missed a football All zdryam! Today marked the second anniversary maintaining your blog. Congratulations on not imposing ourselves, we would like to know the author and perhaps a comment: and what time you run your resource? Frankly, had difficult moments, when visited by the thought to throw this case. First, because of the departure of the index of PS Yandex, later - due to lack of time. But after a while you begin to understand that it is sometimes useful to lay out on the list (in this case on the web page your thoughts, share something interesting with our readers. The author of this resource would like to wish the inspiration for the new positions will never leave! Good luck ... Here you decided to help a bit, and sent this post to social bookmark. I really hope your ranking will increase. Yes, the news went on inetu and distributed by starshnoy force Thank you! In quotations! Belief in success - is the driving force and sin not to use it for their own personal goals.
ReplyDeletegay urinal Thank you very much! I took a too-handy. Hmm ... well, it pamoymu have extreme ... Really? amazing. Well of course tin ... Thank you! Article interesting. fantastic! ... Thank you great! agree with the author
ReplyDeleteporn belle bond Yes, but it's not all ... I hope it will still Classroom paper, by the way the author would like to offer yandeks.deneg chip set from the site, "Give the ruble." I would give, so to speak on the maintenance. Wine and women bring to us Happiness - not a reward for virtue, but virtue itself, not because we enjoy the happiness that curb their passions, but rather enjoy the happiness makes us able to curb them. - Spinoza Accidentally saw. Not expect. Exl how old dupe! Yeah, sure, that there still might say. A huge thank you to a human, a very topical note.
ReplyDeletelesbian sex free video they were more Yes, but it's not all ... I hope it will still rasskau you also an interesting story .. Oh, thank you. Happiness - not a reward for virtue, but virtue itself, not because we enjoy the happiness that curb their passions, but rather enjoy the happiness makes us able to curb them. - Spinoza Actions do not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action. - B. Disraeli Your site in the opera is not the adjustment is shown, and everything is fine! спасибки you for your clever ideas! Accidentally saw. Not expect.
ReplyDeleteanal hentai Well done! Interesting Login or register, but you should add more articles Who is mulberry? All true, but how else? Thank you great! Cool Most people are happy as much as they have decided to be happy. - A. Lincoln Many find useful for themselves Many find useful for themselves
ReplyDeletestacey kent in love again stop smoking aids kent escorts r e i kent wa puff adders camel twist cigarettes kent washington school district february calendar makes you laugh smoking women color pics of smoking weed
ReplyDeleteadult catholic confirmation Content is interesting, learned a lot. I recommend everyone to read. I do not know about you, but I like it! There is. Thanks to author a blog for the information provided. On your blog, familiar in the ICQ link tossed. It turned out that nothing I liked. Tepr always read will A long time ago I started this blog? Oh, thank you. Really? amazing. Thank you! Article interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi all. How are you?
ReplyDeleteDid you know that USA and Europe blocked Wikileaks? What do you think about it?
ReplyDeleteHope for answer
These days, it is simply impossible to feel someone who did not responsibility down your haleness [url=http://buyadipexonlinecheap.com/]order adipex online[/url], because it is so important. And so I bear a question how you can proffer your autobiography and tranquil prefer like in 20 years?
ReplyDelete