The Prague Post - Opinion - No way forward
This was the editorial that I wrote as a result of my month long stay in Prague. It was a learning experience--one that I will never forget.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Reflection
I was so upset to see that my blog was deleted. It carried my month long roller coaster of emotions and experiences that occurred in Prague. I Blogged instead of writing in my journal so I had no other detailed account of it except for my memories. I am glad after appealing with blogger that they restored it. Even though I am no longer in Prague I would like to post my ideas and thoughts on various things. I might even give some previews of some writing pieces to get feedback on. So, if you're still up for it I would love for you to continue to follow me.
I've been home awhile now and have had time to really reflect on my experiences with travel, friends and being in Prague. I hadn't traveled internationally in quite a few years. It was more difficult than I had remembered. Traveling by myself was okay--I could do it, but it would have been more enjoyable with someone else. I never felt in danger or anything--the airline assistants were more than helpful. Sitting on the plane without being able to get up was killer. Gone are the days when I could wrangle a seat with an empty one next to it and stretch out my short body over the two seats and actually get some sleep. No, they pack the plane full. The fact that the airlines had a policy that would not allow for me to have my own chair during a long lay-over was distressing. I hadn't encountered this before and was willing to fight to have this right.
On this adventure I made some memorable friends. They were there for me when I shared my frustrations with the accessibility issues in Prague. We hung out and really got to know one another in a fairly short amount of time. My friend Kate was there to encourage (and help) me write and submit an op/ed to the Prague Post sharing my frustrations with the lack of accessibility in Prague. The friends I met who were from Prague (Erik, Radek, Jakub, Tomas) were a blessing. Before, I had such a deep sorrow for the disabled people of Prague and their situation. After I met them I saw that there were people who care. They were trying to do something about the accessibility of their city. I was honored to be able to try and help them in any way I could. Being asked to be in their documentary was so ironic. Our paths just happened to cross on that day--at that certain time. It was like it was meant to be.
Now that I'm home I have to deal with the "aftermath" of my adventure. While jumping down curbs and off trams, pushing over cobblestones I developed a pressure sore. It didn't get better as I stayed there. It was impossible to stay off of it all of the time while I was there and I lacked the will power to do it. I made the best of it--still participating in school and the other activities as I could and resting more than I wanted to. I have been to the doctor and luckily I haven't developed an infection. I am giving a shot to trying to heal it but my patience with that has its limits. It's hard to lay down a month and then find out it won't heal--to me that's time wasted. I will make a decision soon about surgery. The doctor said it wouldn't be as involved as the ones I've had in the past and the recovery would be shorter. (It has usually been at least a two month ordeal) School starts in nine days and that weighs heavily on my mind also. The beginning of the year is such an important bonding time with your class--and it hurts me to think I am most likely to miss that. I guess I will find out in the next week or so what my path will be.
In looking back on my choices--I'm not sure I can say it was worth it. I enjoyed the writing classes and I hope it will improve my writing but the fact that my life and livelihood are in jeopardy makes me think twice. There are a lot of "ifs" that I think about. What if I had only stayed the two week session? What if I had used my more protective cushion? What if I had never gone to Prague in the first place? These questions circle my mind--but you can't change the past. I look toward the future. It's difficult when it's clouded with such worry. I am a strong person--that's why I was able to get through what I did. I know I will be able to get through this also.
I guess I'm now onto my next "adventure." I'm afraid my views and sights will not be grand--but my frustrations and concerns will be.
I've been home awhile now and have had time to really reflect on my experiences with travel, friends and being in Prague. I hadn't traveled internationally in quite a few years. It was more difficult than I had remembered. Traveling by myself was okay--I could do it, but it would have been more enjoyable with someone else. I never felt in danger or anything--the airline assistants were more than helpful. Sitting on the plane without being able to get up was killer. Gone are the days when I could wrangle a seat with an empty one next to it and stretch out my short body over the two seats and actually get some sleep. No, they pack the plane full. The fact that the airlines had a policy that would not allow for me to have my own chair during a long lay-over was distressing. I hadn't encountered this before and was willing to fight to have this right.
On this adventure I made some memorable friends. They were there for me when I shared my frustrations with the accessibility issues in Prague. We hung out and really got to know one another in a fairly short amount of time. My friend Kate was there to encourage (and help) me write and submit an op/ed to the Prague Post sharing my frustrations with the lack of accessibility in Prague. The friends I met who were from Prague (Erik, Radek, Jakub, Tomas) were a blessing. Before, I had such a deep sorrow for the disabled people of Prague and their situation. After I met them I saw that there were people who care. They were trying to do something about the accessibility of their city. I was honored to be able to try and help them in any way I could. Being asked to be in their documentary was so ironic. Our paths just happened to cross on that day--at that certain time. It was like it was meant to be.
Now that I'm home I have to deal with the "aftermath" of my adventure. While jumping down curbs and off trams, pushing over cobblestones I developed a pressure sore. It didn't get better as I stayed there. It was impossible to stay off of it all of the time while I was there and I lacked the will power to do it. I made the best of it--still participating in school and the other activities as I could and resting more than I wanted to. I have been to the doctor and luckily I haven't developed an infection. I am giving a shot to trying to heal it but my patience with that has its limits. It's hard to lay down a month and then find out it won't heal--to me that's time wasted. I will make a decision soon about surgery. The doctor said it wouldn't be as involved as the ones I've had in the past and the recovery would be shorter. (It has usually been at least a two month ordeal) School starts in nine days and that weighs heavily on my mind also. The beginning of the year is such an important bonding time with your class--and it hurts me to think I am most likely to miss that. I guess I will find out in the next week or so what my path will be.
In looking back on my choices--I'm not sure I can say it was worth it. I enjoyed the writing classes and I hope it will improve my writing but the fact that my life and livelihood are in jeopardy makes me think twice. There are a lot of "ifs" that I think about. What if I had only stayed the two week session? What if I had used my more protective cushion? What if I had never gone to Prague in the first place? These questions circle my mind--but you can't change the past. I look toward the future. It's difficult when it's clouded with such worry. I am a strong person--that's why I was able to get through what I did. I know I will be able to get through this also.
I guess I'm now onto my next "adventure." I'm afraid my views and sights will not be grand--but my frustrations and concerns will be.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Home Sweet Home
My trip home was a marathon. After packing late on Friday night after our closing party, I was ready to go by 9:00 to be picked up by Petr. He was going to take me on the bus to the airport. My flight wasn't until 12:15 so you'd think that would be plenty of time. I didn't see Petr and it was 9:10--so somehow I schlepped my bags down to the lobby. (one is a really heavy thing with wheels, and no easy feat to move) I was bound and determined to get home if I had to get to the airport myself. I saw Petr in the lobby--he thought I was on the 3rd floor and I'm on the 4th. So I checked out and we walked the few blocks to the bus stop for the airport. Prague's last slap in the face (or so I thought it was) was that we had to wait another 20 minutes for an accessible bus to take. When it arrived it was so jam packed with people and their luggage, I didn't think I would be able to get on. I forced myself on.
It was about a 20 minute ride to the airport. Petr said that was plenty of time, not to worry. When we got to British Airways my jaw dropped when I saw the long line of people waiting to get checked in for the flight. We found the end and waited....and waited. It took about 25 minutes to get to the check in. Once there I asked for a gate tag (a tag that tells people to bring the chair up to the the cabin and not to baggage so it can be used when you have a lay-over) for my wheelchair. I was told that it wasn't the policy of BA to allow this. I would have to use their chairs (which has small wheels and needs to be pushed by someone) for my two and a half hour lay-over I had in London. I was less that pleased with this--okay, I got mad and started asking why. I decided that I would just ask again at the gate to see if it was possible. Once I said good bye to Petr and headed to the gate I was astounded by another huge line waiting to get through security. I jumped in line there and it took another 25 or 30 minutes there. I barely had 5 or 10 minutes before they were going to start to board me. The crew did say they would try and take my chair on board but since it didn't fold up, they weren't sure. I showed them how the wheels popped off easily. I was happy that at the end of my two hour flight from Prague to London I did have my chair to use.
I got to move around freely--but didn't really seem to have too much time there before I had to board the plane for Denver. I again had to fight to get my chair at the gate instead of having it sent to baggage claim. I really think I need to write to British airways and get them to change their policy. They need to know that denying a wheelchair user their chair is akin to denying someone their legs. Why should we have to sit in a small room waiting hours and hours--relying on them to take you to the bathroom or anywhere? I guess they don't see the indignity in that. The crew, again was very gracious about trying to get the chair put on board. The flight seemed to take forever! Almost twelve hours of sitting and not moving about is pretty excruciating. I did get the bulkhead seat so it didn't feel as claustrophobic as my flight there did. When we finally touched down in Denver, I was so happy. I think I felt the same relief and happiness when returning home from Switzerland after 911 happened. I wanted to kiss the ground.
When I headed to customs I saw a long line of people waiting--but being back in America, there was a special line for the disabled and I got to go to the front and get checked right away. (what a country!) So I grabbed my luggage and headed out to wait for Ken to pick me up. I was so happy to see him--I'd really missed him and our dogs. My dogs practically knocked me out of my chair when I got home. Ken had the house all decorated with welcome home signs and balloons. I felt very welcomed!! He also had a special menu made out for me and other special touches to show me how much he had missed me.
As Ken drove us home I looked at my state with new eyes. I saw the curb cuts, and ramps and the smooth roads. I am so grateful to live in a country where it is so accessible. I will never take that for granted ever again. Czech-ing out. Cau.
It was about a 20 minute ride to the airport. Petr said that was plenty of time, not to worry. When we got to British Airways my jaw dropped when I saw the long line of people waiting to get checked in for the flight. We found the end and waited....and waited. It took about 25 minutes to get to the check in. Once there I asked for a gate tag (a tag that tells people to bring the chair up to the the cabin and not to baggage so it can be used when you have a lay-over) for my wheelchair. I was told that it wasn't the policy of BA to allow this. I would have to use their chairs (which has small wheels and needs to be pushed by someone) for my two and a half hour lay-over I had in London. I was less that pleased with this--okay, I got mad and started asking why. I decided that I would just ask again at the gate to see if it was possible. Once I said good bye to Petr and headed to the gate I was astounded by another huge line waiting to get through security. I jumped in line there and it took another 25 or 30 minutes there. I barely had 5 or 10 minutes before they were going to start to board me. The crew did say they would try and take my chair on board but since it didn't fold up, they weren't sure. I showed them how the wheels popped off easily. I was happy that at the end of my two hour flight from Prague to London I did have my chair to use.
I got to move around freely--but didn't really seem to have too much time there before I had to board the plane for Denver. I again had to fight to get my chair at the gate instead of having it sent to baggage claim. I really think I need to write to British airways and get them to change their policy. They need to know that denying a wheelchair user their chair is akin to denying someone their legs. Why should we have to sit in a small room waiting hours and hours--relying on them to take you to the bathroom or anywhere? I guess they don't see the indignity in that. The crew, again was very gracious about trying to get the chair put on board. The flight seemed to take forever! Almost twelve hours of sitting and not moving about is pretty excruciating. I did get the bulkhead seat so it didn't feel as claustrophobic as my flight there did. When we finally touched down in Denver, I was so happy. I think I felt the same relief and happiness when returning home from Switzerland after 911 happened. I wanted to kiss the ground.
When I headed to customs I saw a long line of people waiting--but being back in America, there was a special line for the disabled and I got to go to the front and get checked right away. (what a country!) So I grabbed my luggage and headed out to wait for Ken to pick me up. I was so happy to see him--I'd really missed him and our dogs. My dogs practically knocked me out of my chair when I got home. Ken had the house all decorated with welcome home signs and balloons. I felt very welcomed!! He also had a special menu made out for me and other special touches to show me how much he had missed me.
As Ken drove us home I looked at my state with new eyes. I saw the curb cuts, and ramps and the smooth roads. I am so grateful to live in a country where it is so accessible. I will never take that for granted ever again. Czech-ing out. Cau.
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