I had my first really yucky experience trying to get Kevin into a Subway that claimed to be handicap accessible, but truly was not. I just couldn't do it. There was no way for me to hold the door open and lift his chair up the small 2 inch step at the same time. I was so relieved when a gentleman stopped his car and ran over to help me. Phew! What a struggle! And let me tell ya - I almost asked him to marry me, lol!
But seriously? That was just not fun. You just don't think about little things like half steps and doors that won't stay open while you enter. Just how do people do it that don't have help? How do people in a wheelchair open doors when they only have one arm that works and the door opens the opposite way? And how do you hold it open while wheeling past it if you only have one arm? I don't know - maybe I am just being dumb as I am still new to all of this. Maybe one night I'll be laying in bed and I'll hear that 'ding' that explains how it all works. Man, I sure hope so...
So when we left Subway (this has been a DAILY thing for over a month now. He even wanted it on Christmas Day!) I started heading home and I looked in the mirror and there was Kev already eating! He had unwrapped that sub and ate half of it while driving the three blocks to get home. I laughed so hard. And I just love it when he does things that he would have done in the past. It shows me my Kev is still in there and that maybe, just maybe, he will be all better once that cranioplasty takes place. We only have a few hours a day where he is somewhat like he was a month or so ago - before the swelling again.
And before I go I just have to say - Jody - I will give MTV a call and see if Pimp My Ride would be willing to overhaul that new van, lol. I can just see it now - neon green and pink with some spinners and when we stop at a light it can bounce up and down with screamo music blaring out the sunroof. We can have a fur steering wheel cover and a horn that plays 16 different tunes, right? Yep - sounds like a plan, hehe. Maybe Jennifer from Ride-away (the wonderful woman and company that helps people like us find vehicles) can hook up with them and do this for all the guys. What do you think, Jennifer? LOL!
First 2 from the Nov kit!
11 years ago
10 comments:
LOL. I laughed so hard when reading that bit about the van, but hey, that would be a great idea. Pimp My Ride could do a whole special for a wounded warrior and trick you guys out big time.
Also glad to hear that Kevin got right after that sub sandwich today, hehehe! He was hungry and wanted it now! That's so great to read, I think it really shows that he's 'okay' under all the trauma and he'll get better each and every day. :D
Fuzzy dice, a fur steering wheel and a hula girl on the dash...
Give Kevin a hug for me.
(The other) Leslie
Soldiers' Angel from Colorado
All Kevin has to do is get well enough to drive his own chair. I've seen chairs recently given to military guys that can handle a rocky road and even climb stairs!I saw a fellow on TV from walter Reed who has a chair that stands him up to normal size so he can reach into kitchen cabinets and the sink. With that chair they don't have to re do the house to suit a low chair and he had NO legs at all.
The rest of us in chairs are not so lucky because of the cost of these kind of chairs and the law didn't go far enough. You'll find lots of places that have great ramps to the door and no way to open the door. Like Post offices, Social Security offices, doctor offices, medical supply stores, etc. They all have good ramps and no auto doors.
You'll see people in chairs carrying a cane. The cane is for pounding on the doors so someone comes to open it..and hold it open while you get inside their store to spend your money.
You'll also find that if they repave a street, that will raise the street above the pavement ramp causing the chair to get caught in a gully, unable to get untrapped to cross the street.
The law needs to be extended to make everyone put in an auto handicapped door at the end of the ramp and force them to redo the pavement ramps when they do the streets.
The problem is there are more people like you with 2 good legs and less like Kevin & me with no leg power...so I don't think they will extend the law anytime soon.
If Kevin gets his head well enough to sit up, he'll be so much better off because they will give him a new powerful chair with big wheels and good balance for taking on 1/2 steps. Just buy him a folding cane to knocking on doors :-(
Unfortunately, the Subway was probably fully compliant with ADA regulations. The law is terribly lacking in realistic standards. When I was in college, my MD only affected my arms/hands. The building where I attended class was declared 'fully handicapped accessible'. However, if a fire alarm went off, I would have been stuck in the building if I was above the first floor because all of the stairwell doors had thumb-button style handles which I could not operate. To me, 'fully accessible' should include such things as door levers, but the law doesn't require it.
Luckily, as you discovered, there are still some very helpful people in this world. And while it's no fun to have to rely on others, in reality none of us makes it through this world alone.
Leslie,
It's always go good to hear Kevin is eating like a healthy boy should be..a good sign.
I am so thankful this blog reaches the world. The Subway experience is something everyone should think about.
Several years ago, I broke my foot. Let me tell you, Butler Walmart is HUGE from one end to the other under normal conditions and with a broken foot, is impossible; so... I placed myself in one of those motorized wheelchairs to shop. There was no other way. That lasted a while each time I had to go to Walmart.
I wish EVERY SINGLE SHOPPER could place themselves in a chair and do ALL of their shopping JUST ONCE..FROM A WHEELCHAIR !!! They would have a lot more respect for those that need to be in those chairs for life. You cannot reach the top two shelves at all. I could stand.. in pain.. to grab what I needed..but some can't stand at all. To reach a product for someone in need..may mean them going home with or without what they came for. Some simply won't ask for help but gratefully accept if someone asks them. I ask them all the time and just grabbing one can from the shelf brings a smile to their face.
My 2009 wish for everyone..take the time to care. Raise your children, by example, to not push your shopping cart quickly through the aisles so wheelchair people gets scooted aside or accidentally bumped into. Respect is such an important word.. : )
If the business owners, like the Subway, placed their own Mother or a loved one in a wheelchair and had them *test* the handicap accessibility of their business...maybe they would make things a lot easier for those who are so genuine in their need. Let's just hope things soon change.
This has been a very good post, Leslie, to hopefully open the eyes of many of your blog readers who simply would have no reason to think of these things.
God Bless and many prayers that Kevin can have the surgery he needs very soon.
May 2009 bring good health to everyone..as there are so many out there with no health insurance who need care and can't get it.
May 2009 bring love, peace and happiness..to our world.
For those who don't have enough to feed their children, who cut their medicine in half or who have already lost their homes or who face foreclosure...a year of prosperity and better things to come for their families.
The shelters are full of cats and dogs who have sadly been placed there by people who have lost their homes and can no longer keep their pets. Praying those poor creatures soon find families with a heart to take them into their loving homes. Our economy is in such a sad state, as each day you hear of someone new who has lost their job.
May God continue to give you strength, Leslie, as you are one of the strongest Mothers that I know. Without your strength, love and determination, Kevin would most certainly not be where he is today.
Thank you, Kevin, for the sacrifice you made so we would be a secure nation. It is an honor to know you, Kevin Kammerdier..our hero.
Praying for Brianna once she goes home to Pennsylvania and that things go better for you, Leslie, and Kevin down in Florida.
Very glad we can all be here to support Kevin and family and send prayers and healing thoughts. We ALL care..
STAY STRONG..
WTG Kevin, pig outs are great therapy! First they taste pretty good, second they make your mom laugh. How great is that??
Each day is a haul, and Leslie, Subway has to have a handicapped entrance,it's the Law.
Soldiers Angel Annie
Leslie,
Hi, I really like hearing about Kevin's progress and his eating habits. I have thought a lot about you over Christmas. You are an encouragement to me. I have going through some tough times, but it doesn't compare to what you are going through. Your strength is amazing. I am still going to Crisswell Bible Babtist Church and teach the Yough Group kids. It would make you cry to hear their prayers for Kevin. It amazes me how they always remember him in their prayers. THe adults pray for him, too, but there is something special about hearing the prayers of a child. You can tell that it really comes from their hearts. If there is anything specific you would like us to pray for, please let me know. Debbie Carnahan
Hey there Leslie, Kevin & Breezy!
What great posts - still laughing at Kev's thoughts about the minivan, and the pimp my ride comments were hilarious! SOOOO glad to hear that Kev's appetite is up there!! Good vittles (along with lots of love, of course!) is the best therapy on the planet. I hope that you will learn more about the "whens" of the cranioplasty soon - saying a gazillion extra prayers that it is soon and that it makes life so much better for Kev.
God bless you Leslie, Breezy & Kevin - thoughts, prayers, support and loads and loads of Angel Hugs are always coming your way!!!
Not a bad Idea with " Pimp my ride " You all would look so cool in one of them Pimped up ride ( Van )
I am glad Kevin enjoys Subway so much . Maybe you should see if they could sponser Kevin ! ( Or at least give him some free Sandwiches
< smiles >
Yeah we don't realize how bad people have it until we are in that situation. Wheelchairs should have access everywhere
Hugs
Petra
Soldiers Angel
I forgot to say this. Kevin's chair has small wheels in the front that move. The best way to go over anything that is raised even an inch, is to take him over it backwards.
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