Handicapped Parking and other forms of solidarity

Now that I am injured, I notice persons with physical limitations more than ever. Often we encounter each other while parking in adjacent handicapped spots. We show concern for each other, ask how we were injured and part with wishes for a full recovery. Of course, may people are permanently disabled and a full recovery is not possible. This does not stop any and all persons from expressing their solidarity with my injury. Many times shopkeepers or shoppers will stop to ask about my injury and then recount their own tale of recovering from an ACL repair or knee replacement. Just the other day I was in the pool practicing walking when a woman on crutches came to ask if she could use my lane because it was closest to the ladder. I explained that I too was on crutches and we embarked on a ten minute discussion of her broken foot, my leg, strategies for recovery, etc. Unfortunately as we go through life we often fail to understand the experiences or perspective of other people because we are so entrenched in our own life history. Thus we are wary of or oblivious to the struggles of new immigrants, persons of different economic or political persuasions, or those with physical limitations. If there is any positive outcome of my injury it is that I now understand more than ever what it is like to lose the use of a limb for a time, or to be unable to do things we often take for granted, things like walking, jumping, riding a bike, hopping out of the car, going up or down stairs. As I struggle to get into and out of buildings that have heavy doors, no ramps, narrow passages or otherwise limited handicapped access, I think of the persons who are permanently disabled that have to deal with these issues not just for a year but for life. We exchange knowing glances as we pass one another through the day – knowing because each understands something of what the other is going through. I hope that through this blog those without such experiences can begin to know something of what it is like to experience these things, while those in the same boat will know that they are not alone. I wish that we could all overcome such barriers and open our eyes to the perspectives of others. Every human being is entitled to have an opportunity to live life to the fullest, even if physical limitations make it necessary to provide a wider doorway, a ramp, a shallow step into the pool, or slip-free flooring. We are a much better community when we include all our members.