16/09/2026
I traveled to NY for my "cousins" wedding. He is the son of one of my mom's best friends and I've literally known him since he was born.
I had never been to NY (well I did spend like 6 hours there when I was a teen but I don't really remember anything from that trip)
Anywayyyyy I traveled as an ambulatory wheelchair user for the first time. I've seen the crowds on TV and movies and knew if that's how it is in real life, there was no way I'd be able to wander around NY for a few days with just my cane or Rollator.
I decided it was time to buy an electric wheelchair. I bought one that weighs about 35 # so I can lift it in and out of my trunk by myself with a little oomph on the days I need it at home.
It was trial and error but I learned that if the pavement is uneven, I start to lurch forward and those little differences in height sometimes make my chair come to a complete stop. I learned that on slight inclines, it helps to have someone behind me to give a little push forward or it becomes a game of little engine that could.
I had a man tell me I was too pretty to be in a wheelchair and another told me when I apologized for being barely in his way that I had nothing to apologize for. Most people were accommodating and very helpful.
I was grateful to have my sister, brother in law, niece and nephew with me for my first major outing with it. I was glad I wasn't alone for this first trip.
As my niece was "pushing me" she told me I was going so fast and I said, "oh do you need me to slow down?" And she said "NO LOOK HOW FAST YOU SPEED PAST THESE PEOPLE!!"
I don't know why I push so hard against tools that will help make my life easier. My mobility issues from my MS will never go away. There are days I walk normally, and days I need a mobility aid and 100 things in between.
I don't need to prove to anyone what tools I require what days; much less prove it to myself.
