A Wish for PWDs

We've been going out a lot more for errands lately and it's been hard for us. I was advised by my doctors and pulmo rehab team to use a wheelchair to get around. I can walk, but my heart and lungs are not able to cope with so much effort. I'm not supposed to overwork both since I'm due for surgery. 

The boys take care of me when we're out, but getting around is hard. Local establishments try to be PWD friendly, but I don't think they have tested their premises with PWDs. Here's a list of what they can improve on:

Fixed a week after, you can still see the area that was fixed.

• Doors - make sure they can be opened fully. The doors at some malls require 3 people. Two to hold 2 doors and one to push the wheelchair. 
• Ramps - I had a hair-raising experience in one establishment that had a ramp to the elevator. It was steep, short and cracked. I had to get off the wheelchair whenever we rode the elevator. Getting up and going back to the wheelchair drained my energy. Good thing the guard probably reported it and a week later the chipped areas were fixed, but it was still very steep. 
• Sidewalk entryways - this has always been problematic especially at parking garages. I also experienced a commercial establishment where they put a huge planter box which made it hazardous to pass through the ramp on a wheelchair. I would have probably fall if we tried it.
• Pedestrian walkways should be flat and not use uneven pavers. It's like riding a bumpy rollercoaster when you're on a wheelchair. 
• Establishments without wheelchair ramps. We went to eat at a resto which had quite a steep ramp to its doorstep, but when we got to the door there was no ramp to get in. 

An architect mentioned to me before that there is a code for making establishments PWD friendly. He explained it even goes down to the angle of the ramp. Sadly, it's just an afterthought here and it's not enforced by building officials. I'm lucky I'm still able to stand up and walk (I just can't get too far), but there are those who don't and are dependent on their wheelchair. Maybe establishments can test their premises to understand what they need to improve on.

So far, the only place that has been pretty seamless for me is the new building of the mall near us. I only get up when I want to sit on a chair if we're dining out. They need to seriously get a new elevator for their old building. It can only carry about 4 to 5 people including the elevator person.

#BeKind #StaySafe