Yo, Doug, Thanks for the Shake Up

Joe and I went to the opera and documented the trip in photos for my Facebook page, I've decided to occasionally do a series of pix with the theme 'Accessibility: the will is the way." Because, I think, if there is the will, the way follows and I wanted to demonstrate that. It was fun taking the photos and sending via phone. This is probably all old hat to you but it's all amazing trickery for me.

Also, through Facebook I found out that Celine, who is someone I met and liked a while back, was going to be at the same performance. We've kept in contact in kind of a really relaxed, semi formal way. We are going to have tea one day, by hook or crook. Anyways we managed to meet before the opera began, but only briefly because when you are seeing a five hour opera, you appreciate them starting on time. It was fun chatting with Celine because we make an odd pair. She's one of those incredibly fit people who run long distances because she likes to, I only tell you so that you know that I am comfortable with diversity.

We met again at intermission, all pretty much bleary eyed, Wagner wasn't into ACTION, so staying awake is part of the challenge. Anyways we mentioned to Celine and Doug that we arrived early to work out any kinks there would be with seating. We've had repeated problems at the Four Seasons Centre so our trust is a tad low. In fact there was a slight problem with our seating, one easily fixed, but still, come on! So when we mentioned to Doug, who does not work in the disability biz, that we have to be fairly vigilant in order to ensure that we get the seating we booked, he looked at us quizzically, and said, "But don't you just book accessible tickets with the Box Office?" Both Joe and I laughed and joked, "Oh, how naive!"

That was that.

But I've been thinking about that little interchange for a while and I'm so glad it happened. Really, really, glad in fact. You see I think I was getting used to the fact that accessibility and accessible seating was a complicated business. In fact, just before we left Joe broke my heart by saying that he'd been worried for a couple of days about what kind of problems we were going to encounter. I never wanted my accessibility issues to become part of his enjoyment of something. But I suppose that's what happens when you have had problem after problem with just getting seats for a show.

But Doug's question brought me back to reality.

Yeah, it should be that simple.

Yeah it should be that dependable.

That's exactly it.

One little remark and I managed to right myself again. My thinking had come unstuck. I began to think that because there are always problems, problems are part of the process. It comes with the territory.

No.

It doesn't.

It should be that simple.

You booked an accessible seat.

You get that seat.

Thanks Doug, glad to have made your acquaintance.

Blog Notice:

Donna Lee takes over the blog tomorrow with her thoughts on Forgiveness. Donna works on my team at Vita and I'm really pleased for you all to meet her and hear what she has to say.