<as requested …. essay in progress me thinks –J>

I say all this by way of introduction. When I roll down many Sydney streets and dodge people and concrete slabs gone awry and people staring at their <insert 20th century handheld device here>, I’m the one that ends up feeling like I’m in the wrong. It’s more surprise than annoyance with me per se I’m sure. But, there is a glare left often which intended or not, I’m left to deal with.

I’m reminded of a curious event in my 2nd year at University and beyond.
There was a  law student I lived in the same residential college as. We
were also both affiliated with the same social society led by John who
was a 50’s something youth orientated cleric, who thought himself much
funnier (on this incident at least) than he actually was.

Both Andrew (the blind law student with cane) and I were going in
opposite directions around a corner without an easy kerb ramp.. We are
both necessarily wide loads. I could see the impending collision
between man with cane and woman in wheelchair. I called out but to no
avail. I stopped moving in the hope of either attracting his attention
or at least minimising the “impact”.  I could not have reversed far
enough or fast enough to the nearest safe ramp.

Sure enough – impact was indeed made. Thankfully, no one was injured
or in the blind friend’s  case even shaken it seemed. As far as
appearances were doing. I too was doing fine. Appearances can deceive.
I was already guilt ridden, despite any contary expressions. I had been
well taught to be a good driver and stay out of the way of others. I
failed. In rather spectacular fashion.

I was teased excessively about it by the co-ordinator of the group
to which we both belonged; a man in his 50′s who i now think of as more of a butterfly befriender. This teasing eontined everytime he saw me up untill i left uni 2 years later. To the point where I would attempt to avoid him.

I started to play the incident over in my head
regularly, from that night , onwards. Yes,  even  last night I
struggled with the memory. In my struggles, I adjust my speed, my angle
around the corner, whether or not I’m even wearing sunglasses even. I
put myself, in my mind’s on the road. Indeed that’s what I ended up
doing for the vast majority of my time at uni. Sticking to the roads.

This then carries with it a new set of embarrassments, challenges
and annoyances and yes; risks. Probably some of these shared with the
drivers of cars and such who no doubt look at me askance or even with
anger. The roads are not designed for headstrong independent females in
motorised chairs. This I know. This indeed I understand.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Rubbing the tummy of the person with disability
• A card carrying bone fide
• the voice Australia has a vision of loveliness
• Doing the limbo
• The email I wrote for international day last year