Today in America, approximately 3.3 million people depend on a wheelchair to help them get around. Recently, I decided to embark on an experiment to experience my school day from their perspective.
It started in the nurse’s office on a cold Monday morning, where I was equipped with the wheelchair. It was black and had a cushion, made for someone who spent long periods of time in their wheelchair. I stayed there for approximately the next seven hours.
Government presented me with my first challenge of my new routine: opening the door to get into class. I already had a friend pushing me to class, so she just held the door open as I wheeled into the classroom. First hurdle faced and handled. As soon as I got in the room I realized my success was short lived. My seat is in the third row of a tiered classroom. Searching for new options, I settled into my spot for the day in the first row. It was strange being in the front since the majority of the class sits in the back rows. Nevertheless, class proceeded like normal except for the thought that someone might be staring at the back of your head all hour.
I was determined to stick to the regular bell schedule for the day and not leave class early. I wanted to experience the halls of ALHS at their busiest, and I did just that. As the bell rang to end first hour, I faced my next big hurdle: getting to the second floor. There are elevators conveniently located in the middle of the E House and over by the music suite/pool door, so I headed to the one in the E House. Having no friends to walk with to second hour, I would have to face this challenge alone. I ventured into the crowded hallway and made it successfully to my second hour.
In some classrooms I faced the problem of my wheelchair being too wide to fit in between the rows of desks. This was the case of my second and third hours which are held in the same room. We were working on an art project that day and I had to have my seat partner retrieve supplies for me since I couldn’t fit between the rows very easily.
Normally I would stop at my locker before calculus. Since I couldn’t carry my books, I had my backpack slung over the back of my wheelchair. After the third period bell rang, I went straight to class where I would encounter yet another new seating situation. In a wheelchair, there isn’t a good way to sit at a desk with an attached chair. I had to find a new seat at a table by the door, but I was glad there was an accessible seat option for me. Luckily, this was the only class that had this kind of desk.
Throughout the day, I gained confidence in getting myself around. I was still somewhat nervous to go to a class without anyone to walk with me, however. What if there wasn’t anyone around to open the door? What if something had to be moved to get to my seat? A friend to walk to classes with was my security blanket.
The part I was most nervous about during the day was lunch. There are lots of kids from all grade levels in the same vicinity and you can’t really predict how people act. I didn’t know how my peers would react as I wheeled in since I hadn’t told many people about my experiment. I got a few looks, but I disregarded them as I went over to my table. Some chairs had to be moved in the process, but it was nice to sit down with my friends. As soon as I sat down, my mind went straight to the thought of a food fight. This seems silly, but not unreasonable since there has been some food tossed around earlier in the school year. I decided my best bet would be to grab a lunch tray and use it as a shield, since I couldn’t duck under the table like they do in the movies.
The rest of my day went by pretty smoothly as I got used to being in the wheelchair. The rest of my classes were wheelchair friendly. I thought I would make it through my afternoon classes without a hiccup, but of course I couldn’t get through the day without one big surprise.
I was winding down the last hour of my day in Publications doing some work when I heard the shriek of the fire alarm. From the publications room, the procedure is to head down the stairs and out the front door. My dear friend, senior Rhiannon Farr, realized this as quickly as I did and swooped in to push me out through the commons doors. This proved to be only the first challenge of the fire drill.
The second challenge came as soon as I needed to get out in the parking lot with the rest of the students. Let me tell you, curbs are not your friend when you’re in a wheelchair. We somehow managed to get over the first one and then were met with a sloping sidewalk. Rhiannon had to hold me back so I wouldn’t go flying down the sidewalk knocking kids over like bowling pins.
The trek back into the school was easier the second time around. We knew which curbs to be careful on and it was less chaotic on the way back in. I found this true of many things I did in the wheelchair: things tended to be easier the second time. Soon after we made the journey back into the school, the bell rang and thus concluded my day in a wheelchair.
As a very independent person, asking for help can be very difficult for me. I didn’t know how people would react to me asking them to hold the door open as I came into a room. It was nice to have friends to accompany you places, because you knew they would be the first to help you. Not to discredit my other peers, who were extremely helpful as well. I was pleasantly surprised by the kindness that my fellow classmates showed towards me; some even offering to help me before I had to ask.
In doing this experiment, I have gained a greater appreciation for my ability to walk and for people with a physical disability. Getting around ALHS in a wheelchair was not the easiest thing for me, but I was only in a wheelchair for a day. There wasn’t much time for me to develop a routine. However, I think it is safe to say that our school is wheelchair friendly.
I would like to compliment the students and staff of ALHS for the kindness shown towards me while I was in a wheelchair. I hope that this kindness is something that is standard around here.