Hello from Crowborough.
The big steps refer to the quest to increase independence and start using the bus as a habit rather than adventure. Of course, wheelchair accessible buses are a relatively new thing for both me and its driver. This was my second outing as a bus passenger.
Best wishes, Steve.
Taking a spontaneous bus journey without months of military style planning. This is life on the edge.
Best wishes
Alun
Really like your article Steve. It conveys your humour and bravery!
Well done Steve, you have my total admiration!
Nice one Steve
Sonia x
Your posts always make me laugh and cheer me up. I have a mobility scooter and this summer have vowed to get on it more.
Polly x
Cheap Crime Thriller writer ayy?? Whens your next novel?
I am in awe I dont go anywhere without Heather, last summer I came out of the wheelchair less than fifty metres from home that was the last time out on my own
Made me smile about you and the hedge, have a good time when next out and about. Don
Really enjoyed your story Steve.Thank you for sharing.
Very best Boojum
Well done Steve, I’m not sure I’m brave enough to do what you have done. Fortunately I’m still relatively mobile so can get myself in and out of the car and drive to where I need to be. I’ve recently had a driving assessment for hand controls but that’s a rather long moan for another day
Great blog keep them coming.
Jan x
take my hat off to you Steve,i wouldn’t dare attempt it, you must feel so good doing it, too.
J x
l have always been a dare-devil. lnside - l have this person who keeps urging me on to tackle anything. Yes - l get into ‘trouble’ - my daughter - and neighbours- who have come to the rescue of ‘mad woman on scooter stuck in ploughed field’. Not so much now l have my Tramper – that takes me almost everywhere - including ploughing matches.
lf someone says - l will not be able to get somewhere - or do something - straightaway my ‘mad woman mode’ kicks in and off l go.
Yesterday,one of my neighbours gave me a lovely new scooter. Her OH is now in a ‘home’ - and he had bought it and not used it. So now l have back-up if ever l am without the Tramper when it gets a puncture. My OH has been taking this lady to do her shopping for some years - and has often had to get the paramedics out to them in emergencies. She is able to go and have lunch at the home where her partner now is - but she finds the taxi cost too much. So in exchange for the scooter l shall take her down and collect her a couple of times a week. Although she is 90 - she is very quick on her feet - but has almost no memory - so does need looking out for. We have tried to arrange for her to have a ‘Lifeline’ button - and she does fall - but getting her to understand what it is for is a problem. She thinks l am ‘tempting fate’ - even when l say it would enable her to be more independent and stay in her own home.
We don’t have buses - so l cannot copy your adventure Steve. And l think Sainsbury’s would be horrified at the sight of my Tramper - with all the mud on its wheels - in their cafeterier.
Steve,
You do make me laugh. Not at your expense, but with you.
What a good lad you are, going for it. I know what you mean about being a wrench leaving your sofa rut. I like nothing beter in the evening that my corner in the lounge, good tv programme and my knitting or crocheting. Sad eh?
I like your style or writing. Very enjoyable.
Keep going and keep telling us how you are doing. It gives a lot of people, including me, a nudge.
Anne
x
Thank-you, for the encouragement. (For the writing and the adventure.)
I’ve just bought a man bag so with my super fleece lined trouser with pockets in every orifice, I’ll be equipped for every eventuality. As there is no art class next week, I will get the bus to the shops and have a good old potter around the local precinct. Spacejacket, I think I’m with you on the mad adventurer level. Fancy someone trying to tell me I can’t go somewhere! Now the weather is (should be) improving. (har-de-har-har-har), I can get out via the bus and chair or the tramper. I love that tramper. Sitting on the sofa is much better when you’ve been out and earned it.
Best wishes, Steve.
Well done Steve, Another good adventure ! I prefer the trains but since the bus is free i really try to travel on them. The bus drivers in this area have had very little if any training and often if they do have a ramp on the bus they are not sure how to use it. On Monday the driver didn’t have a ramp but before he refused to take me i sent Molly on with Frazer and then he couldn’t leave me behind and had to lift my chair on, i got out of course and staggered on like a drunk holding on to anything i could. Its amazing how I’ve lost all embarrassment, it was hard the first few times, but i’m much more confident now.
Michelle x