irma

Irma Y. Goode

02/04/05

Written for English 104

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.

My Wheelchair

Over time my wheelchair has formed a mold to my body. I've been one with this chair for around 35 years. It was born in Illinois. This old chair has feeling. It has taken me from Chicago to LA. We've traveled on airplanes (unfortunately it had to go into cargo for the flight), beats, trains, vans and buses. We've done Las Vegas together. It's taken me to the edge of a cliff to bungie jump mid to Big Bear for skiing. I went to my mom's funeral in this chair and somehow this chair was able to comfort me.

I can push myself around my apartment with my left foot. I go backwards and it takes quite awhile, but I usually get to where I want to be this old chair has a broken foot rest (looks like a missing leg). The foot rests work as a barrier to keep me from hitting my knees. I don't rest my feet on them. When I'm tired m y chair cuddles me. When I type at the computer, it fits up against the table (I have a beam that lines up with a special computer program).

I've been told to replace this chair. It does look old, but it has character. I know a new chair would look better. Many well meaning people have tied to get me to use a new chair. I even have a new chair, but it's just not the same. This old chair has history and has been with me through all the major events in my adult life. Just like a favorite pair of old shoes, or a piece of clothing that has history, this chair brings memories with it. I am glad it can't talk. At one time I had a beautiful, state of the art, custom chair. The "form" process was fascinating. Using wax beads and pressurized air, a form was made of the back of my body. Amazingly this process is very similar to the bronze sculpting process; using forms, air and molds. It was sleek, cold, hard and lacked personality. It was kind of like a super model; but it felt like new shoes that were really too tight. It was outfitted with dainty small wheels that couldn't roll on anything but smooth surfaces. I tried and tried to fit into that chair. Bat it was inflexible, really heavy and would not co operate. It was rejecting me. When I got my AA degree, I was stuck in that chair for the ceremony and dinner afterward. I was in such agony, one of my friends went home and got my old chair so I could be comfortable and continue the weekend with a trip to Palm Springs. So much for beauty. I needed my old chair for that ceremony.

I also tried my hand (or mouth) at a motorized chair. It was controlled with a computerized straw that I blew or sipped air with. I must admit I did have fun in that chair. It was my first experience with a motorized chair and, I almost flipped it over three times. I used this chair when I went to Citrus College in 1995. It was kind of like an ATV (all terrain vehicle) on the sidewalk. I maneuvered in and out of the van, doorways, around desks, etc. I got around in that chair for a number of years (in addition to my old chair). My staff eventually stopped “running" around with me in that chair. Unfortunately, like a car, it started to fall apart. It was eventually retired to a rehab organization and parted out. So much for speed.

Last year a "dress" chair came into my life. I use it to go out, primarily for church, school and social events. The "dress" chair is relatively comfortable don't tend to slide down in it too much It actually has velcro strips on the seat. That’s a good idea to keep me in it but hard on my clothes. The chair is a bit more flexible than some of the others. The wheels are big enough to go off the sidewalk and onto the grass, but don't get caught on my feet. It is even starting to cuddle me a little bit. This chair has some real potential, however it is heavy and the handles are too low for pushing. It is ideal for short people or tall people with long arms.

Over the years I've experimented with a variety of chairs at the urging of health care professionals. Many people are concerned about my posture, mobility and appearance. While they mean well, it's the overall comfort that has become important. Nothing feels as good as this old chair. It adapts to the ever changing me. I see myself having it repaired, refurbished and renewed for the rest of my life I see myself much the same way.

I truly appreciate the people in my life who try very hard to understand and assist me. They do have my best interests at heart. The reality is, that try as they might, they can only observe me. Life from where I sit is different. Life from where they stand is different. My chair is my life support and I am not going to give it up.

christy continued