成人快手

bbc.co.uk
成人快手
TV
Radio
Talk
Where I Live
A-Z Index


Accessibility help
Text only
Ouch! ... it's a disability thing

成人快手 成人快手page
» Ouch! 成人快手

About
News
Features
Columnists
Podcast
Q&A
Close Up
Weblog
Life Files
Play
YourSpace
TV & Radio
Messageboard

 

Contact Us

Send it to a friend!

 

Ouch weblog: individual blog entry

30 Jun 07, 10:01 PM - On buses, front wheel drive and American TV drama

Posted by Nicola

I like to buy stuff; shiny stuff, indulgent stuff, deeply unnecessary stuff, occasionally useful stuff, all of it good. Yesterday I ventured into town having heard that a boxset of a US TV series involving a British comedian pretending to be an American cripple was on sale at a considerably discounted price. I鈥檒l give you a clue, it rhymes with Mouse. Less than a year ago if you鈥檇 asked me which of Laurie and Fry was disabled I would have said 鈥淲hy, it鈥檚 my second favourite manic depressive in the whole wide world, Stephen Fry.鈥 It still is. Hugh Laurie, as his character Dr House, is only pretending. Even in my walking days I was never one for the straightforward limp, limping was accompanied by flailing arms and the inability to stop. Hence I am not the one to comment on the authenticity of Laurie鈥檚 chosen brand of crippledness, although I would like to know how the hell he can ride a motorbike. Answers in the comments section please. I would be one of those women simpering to Heat magazine that I had a 鈥榳eird crush鈥 on House but then I would have to admit that crush actually started when I saw him in Blackadder when I was 11. And that just ain鈥檛 right. Nor is it remotely to do with disability. I digress鈥

I鈥檝e recently borrowed my boyfriend鈥檚 old powerchair, it is several leagues above my own. Never have I spent an impulsive shopping trip gliding so smoothly over the cobbles, paving stones, tram lines and loitering Goths. But steering through a busy shopping street still requires concentration, whatever your turning circle.

On my way back to the bus station I realised I had to lower my seat. Knowing that if I stopped dead I risked some innocent soul crashing into me, possibly a goth with many delicate peircings, I had to pick my spot. A stall selling scarves was one possibility, but what if he thought I wanted to buy a scarf? I don鈥檛 want a scarf. Or do I? I might, I didn鈥檛 really like the shape of my neck that day. After much deliberation I stopped, lowered the seat and eventually emerged from the bus station subway, bewildered and scarf-less. Worse was to come, because when I go to the bus station it鈥檚 mostly because I want to catch a bus. In a wheelchair I had driven for less than a week. The bus company could combat sexism and disablism combined if they would just design a wheelchair space that was a. easy to steer into b. therefore didn鈥檛 invite quite so many 鈥榳oman driver鈥 jokes. I know I should be happy accessible buses exist at all. For a freakishly long time I was, I still get the adrenaline rush and the beaming smile to this day, but that could just be exhaust fumes. But as it was, on this bus I got the back wheel caught on the helpfully placed yellow pole, nearly crippling an old woman wearing a headscarf and a terrified expression. If I'd hit her she could always get tips from Hugh Laurie. Like I said, it鈥檚 all about concentration.

Comment on this entry | Link to this entry | Personal

< Previous | Main | Next >

Comment

At 10:36 PM on 30 Jun 2007, wrote:

When he buys the bike, the seller says something to the effect of "It only affects your right leg? There's nothing wrong with your left leg? You'll have no problem riding then."

I know nothing about motorbike riding, but I'm guessing that means you don't use your right leg, much like one doesn't use ones left leg when driving an automatic car?

Complain about this post

Post a complaint

Please note that your name and email address are required, but that your email address will not be displayed.

Required
Required (not displayed)
 

Comment

At 12:28 PM on 01 Jul 2007, Wilma wrote:

There's a whole counterbalancing thing with motorbikes though, innit? I mean, limpy people tend not to be great at counterbalance, unless that's just me?

Complain about this post

Post a complaint

Please note that your name and email address are required, but that your email address will not be displayed.

Required
Required (not displayed)
 

Comment

At 03:18 PM on 01 Jul 2007, Andrew Bogle wrote:

Class read - even though you're now part of the machine - LOL

Complain about this post

Post a complaint

Please note that your name and email address are required, but that your email address will not be displayed.

Required
Required (not displayed)
 

Comment on this entry

Please note that your name and email address are required, but that your email address will not be displayed.

Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this weblog until the author has approved them.

Required
Required
 

Ouch may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all will be published.

 

  

Blogroll

Some of our favourite blogs by disabled people. Tell us about your weblog!

Messageboard

Join in with the discussion on Ouch's lively messageboard.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our free newsletter to receive regular Ouch! updates.

Disclaimer

The 成人快手 is not responsible for the content of external sites.

The opinions of guest bloggers are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of Ouch or the 成人快手.



About the 成人快手 | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy