Blog > Thoughts > Other's Thoughts > Maria's Thoughts > Go away!
Go away!
Written by Maria on Thursday, April 27, 2006
Almost two weeks ago (Easter day to be exact), my husband I decided to take a day trip to my favorite town. It’s the kind of town that is built like an old European city. The streets are narrow and full of pedestrians (and tourists), one can traverse the entire town by foot (or wheel), and there are little local shops and restaurants everywhere you turn. The town is also on the Atlantic coast with a port and a spectacular bay.
I first visited this gorgeous paradise when I was thirteen, and every year since, I have gone back at least once. My husband and I even celebrated our honeymoon there. This is how much I love this town. However, visiting this town as a wheeler revealed another less beautiful side.
This town is completely in violation of the ADA. Literally. For everyone one doorway that is ramped, there are ten that are not. My husband had to pull me or push me up into nearly every single store and restaurant. Then once inside, it seemed there was no room to move around in the chair. Suddenly and sadly, I knew that my beautiful town was probably not so beautiful to everyone.
It was a little fun and very interesting trying to solve all of the accessibility problems, then… We spotted a little shop in an old stone house with a charming cobbled courtyard. The shop housed vintage pieces and antiques. Getting through the cobbled courtyard was not problem, just a little bumpy. And though there was a step up into the shop, it was low enough for me to get my casters on and then have my husband take my arm and pull me up.
As soon as we had stepped foot in the shop, the owner (I’m assuming) walked out from the back and starred at us. Not even saying "hello" or "good afternoon," he stood where he was and then looked around his shop. "There’s no room for you in here," he said, motioning to the store with his hands. "You might break something." He didn’t even say he was sorry. And it was Easter! My husband and I looked to each other, me half hoping my husband would saying something, and half hoping I would have the guts to say something myself. Well… we left our guts at home that day. I basically said, "Oh well," and backed out of the door and down the step. As we left the courtyard and got back onto the pedestrian strewn street, we were both in a state of incredulity. Had this guy just basically said he didn’t want us in his shop? Basically he did.
The pain of rejection didn’t last the entire day, but it still hurt. In all my time wheeling (which really hasn’t been very long), the people I meet are usually very nice. Not patronizing. Just nice. Wheeling has even almost restored my faith in humanity. Then this rude man nearly ruined all of those feelings. But only nearly. Cause for every inconsiderate person, there’s an entire continent full of people who are kind, generous, and thoughtful.
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