Accessibility Assignment- Comfort S.

I was not able to go on a date with someone who was disabled so I had to improvise. I asked my friend who recently got out of an arm cast to act as an amputee as we went out to dinner.  For our date, we went to dinner at Applebee’s then to my apartment to watch a movie and smoke hookah. Since he did not have the cast anymore, I tied his right hand behind him and he had to go through the whole date only using his one accessible arm (his left arm). It was very interesting.

Accessibility – We went to dinner around 10:00pm on a Sunday night so it was not crowded. I noticed that the restaurant did have close handicap parking, which was good for people. When we walked up to the restaurant he opened the door for me and tried to keep it open as he walked through but the door ended up hitting him as he walked into the restaurant. The lights where dimmed and there was music playing but it wasn't as loud as it usually is. It wasn't crowded so we were seated right away which was nice.

Activity- There was minimal activity at both the restaurant and my house. Out of the two places, I think there was more activity in the restaurant because even though we got there late, there where still some customers there. The waiter sat us towards the bar since it was late and there where only a few people there. I know Applebee’s usually has a decent crowd after 10 because of their half off appetizers but I’m guessing it was slow because we went on a Sunday. They had some upbeat music playing and about three or four flat screens so we had some entertainment even though we just sat and talked. It was a very relaxing environment overall. When we got to my house he tried to make the hookah using his one accessible hand but he almost broke it so I had to help him

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Adaptability- Apple bees has wheelchair ramps outside and inside towards the bathroom. I noticed that in order for someone that is wheelchair bound or needs the ramp would have to go all the way around the restaurant to get to the ramp if they wanted to get to the bar which was in the pit of the restaurant. At dinner, we were seated at a booth so it was a little bit convenient for him since he did not have to pull any chairs. We went ahead and ordered or food and when they brought it out he realized that he had to use his left arm to eat even though he was right handed. At first he found it hard to eat with his left hand but by the end of the date he seemed comfortable with it.

Crowding – As I mentioned previously, the restaurant was obviously more crowded than my apartment. When we got there were roughly 20 people, including the staff. If we would have gone there on a different day I’m pretty sure the It would have been more crowded. I have been to apple bees a couple times for the ½ off appetizers and the wait time is usually 20 or more minutes just to be seated.

Sensory Stimulation- There was a lot of sensory stimulation but the fact that the lights where dimmed it felt more like an intimate setting.  I think because the restaurant was pretty much empty it added to the intimate setting. There where murals of local schools and pictures of community events on some of the walls which were nice to look at. There were about 3 or 4 TV’s in the bar area but I I’m not a big baseball fan so I didn't really watch them.  

Socialization – At dinner, the only real social interaction we had was with each other and our waiter. When we got to my apartment we didn't really talk much since we were watching a movie and smoking hookah.

Comfort – Overall it was a very comfortable date. Since we already knew each other we were very comfortable even though it was an intimate setting. The most uncomfortable part would have to be when he was trying to make the hookah and he kept messing up so I had to step in. after that obstacle we just relaxed on the couch and watched the movie until I dosed off.     

Privacy- There was more privacy in my apartment since it was just us two.  Even though the restaurant was not crowded, there was still no real privacy. Our waiter kept checking on us every now and again and he made sure he did not stray far away just in case we needed something.

Overall, I learned a lot from my date. I used to find myself feeling sorry for disable people, and this date made me realize that by feeling sorry for a disabled person I’m almost dehumanizing them. I think this was a good assignment for me. I’m used to going out with able bodied people so I had to realize that even though they have to try a little harder to get things done, they still get the same satisfaction when they can do it alone.  I untied my friends hand once we had put the movie in and he proceeded to tell me how hard it was in the beginning but it got easier once he realized that he adjusted himself. Overall I had a great experience and I learned so much. 

Rolling with the punches

When I found out we had to do this assignment, I was very excited. The wheels in my head began to turn, what experience, and approach could I receive from this assignment. I don't have many people in my life with disabilities, but I wanted to truly understand the opportunity. I decided to go on a date with my spouse, with who agreed to travel in a wheelchair. Because eating in our house is one of our favorite pass times, we decided to head to Golden Corral.

 Normally for us buffets are fun and exciting, we like all get to get only what we want for a chance. When arrived getting into the restaurant was fairly easy, however the door was a bit narrow for someone in a wheelchair, especially if they were traveling alone. They have an area for lines to form that spiral around, giving more space for more to enter, however for a customer in a wheel chair this is a definite no-go. It is very inconvenient; luckily one of the workers waved us to the front of the line.

 

Having been here many times before I never noticed if there were any tables designed for customers in wheelchairs, and to my surprised there were, way over in the corner area they did a few that were right up front but that didn’t provide a lot of comfort, having people bump into you as they pass to go to the buffet. The privacy was pretty good, if you chose to sit in the corner area, but it didn't compare to the inconvenience that came along with it. The walk ways were very narrow for a wheelchair to move about comfortably, I ended up having to fix her plate, which took away from the way we would always laugh and talk with each other in the line as we got our foods. After we finally finish our dinner we headed to our next stop, getting to the door way was so much trouble, I think it was also an inconvenience for the other customers as well, with the heavy traffic flow, crowded areas, and limited space, we found ourselves saying "excuse me" quite a bit.

 

Now on to some fun times bowling and playing game at Brunswick Bowling, (formally US Play) we first arrived we found that it was only a few parking spots designated in the front for customers with a disability, four to be exact. It wasn’t at all accessible for her, I ended having to drop her off in the front and find a parking space further from the door.

 

 

We still excited about night, how could you not be when games and bowling involved, and I am the undefeated champion in bowling right now. We headed towards the game’s first, but we soon found out that it provided great legibility, there were quite a few games that she could reach from her seat, and the other games were designed for you to have sit in them in an enclosed area. We stuck to basketball; it was the only convenient and less stressful one to play. The arrangements of the game provided a lot of space to be able to move around without bumping into anyone else.  Afterwards we headed to the bowling area, for me to defend my title. I asked one of the attendants were there any areas that was accessible to someone in a wheelchair and found out that they able to add a bowling ramp for someone with a disability, it’s also very convenient for little kids as well, we found that they made it very adaptable for her to also have a great experience just as we always do, the spacing wasn’t that bad, although she did get stuck a few times, trying to maneuver to the table to rap a bit to eat and drink. We had loads of fun, and we able to be just as social with one another as were are any other time we go bowling. I am still the undefeated champion in my house for bowling.

 

After our adventurous evening out, we decided to head home for a movie and relaxation, after seeing all the places we frequent often, with new outlook and fresh experience, and new meaning of a different culture we were ready to call it a night. On the drive home as we discuss our date and the experience and knowledge we had gained it never occurred to the surprise that we would face when we go home.  We live in town home and the entrance to the front door is meet by 15 rows of steps, not at all accessible to someone in a wheelchair or perhaps on crutches. And it dawned on me what we would do if someone in our family got hurt and had to be placed in a wheelchair, we would either have to build a ramp or move to a better equipped location.  Both one would be a big and costly change for our household, and since we are renting I’m not sure if adding a ramp would be something within our control to do.

 

 

Overall I really enjoyed my experience and I am delighted that we go the opportunity to participate in the event. I am pretty sure that it will heighten my awareness of convince for individuals with disabilities as I go to different stores and venues from this point. Really great assignment.




Hikina Henderson

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Date!

Olivia Sanders

Professor Overstreet

Date Assignment
 3/19/2013

Although this assignment was extremely different from any other assignment I’ve ever been given before I did think it would be interesting as well. Since I didn’t know anyone with a disability locally, I decided to go on an “imaginary date”. I am a college student so my dates are usually pretty cheap. I decided to analyze how someone in a wheel chair might feel going to The Commons and to a campus event.  To begin with The Commons have disabled parking located right across the street which would be helpful for someone having to maneuver a wheelchair. There is good accessibility for getting into the café, there are two ramps and handrails which make it fairly easy for everyone to enter into the building, disabled or not. There are also elevators inside the café so anyone would be able to sit and enjoy their meal on the second floor or outside. Easy access to the food and drinks vary. Someone who is sitting down may have a few problems preparing foods like the salad and reaching the soda machine because of how high they are.

The activity level any day in the café during lunchtime is intense. There are people everywhere, some are sitting at the bar, and some have nudged seats in between preexisting chairs. There were tons of people who all had the same intentions…eating! Crowding for the most part is ridiculous. Someone maneuvering a wheelchair would probably have a hard time navigating through the crowds of people on the first floor. The areas where there are booths are located are less crowded because there aren’t as many tables to sit at, but someone in wheelchair would have to sit at the end of the table.

Since there where no seats away from the crowd we would have to sit right in the middle of all the commotion, which made the comfort level pretty low. I felt pretty crammed in and I didn’t have anything extra with me, I’d assume someone in a wheelchair might feel uncomfortable because they wouldn’t have the sufficient room move around to get seconds under those crowded conditions. There also isn’t much privacy in the café. The tables are really close together so people sitting at the table beside you could hear your conversation very well even when using your inside voice.

There was a fun campus event going on outside on the campus green. A fraternity was having an event to raise awareness about cancer. They had games, music, and goodies all of which provided a lot of good sensory stimulation. The sun was out, you would hear people laughing, and you could smell the aroma of the bbq on the grill. Since it was a fraternity  event the sociality level was high, members within the organization were interacting with each other, people who came up to their booths, and with their sister sorority.

There was control at the fraternity event, people were enjoying themselves, but no one behaved poorly. The members all seemed to have control of the situation, if someone needed something we knew who to ask and they did maintain order. Every now and again a couple people would become rowdy and the guys just asked them to lower their voices and they did.

I wish I could have been accompanied by an actual person, but this still was an eye opening assignment. I’ve never had any disabled friends, but I do have an aunt with schizophrenia. I know taking her on a date with me would have been a completely different experience versus someone in a wheelchair. The message I took from this assignment was to not be so self-consumed and be more acknowledgeable of others.

Bodies Museum in a Wheelchair

Rebecca and I went to the Bodies Exhibit in Atlanta. Rebecca just had foot surgery and was using crutches; however, when we arrived we asked for a wheelchair due to the length of the exhibit and luckily they had one. At first, we thought having the wheelchair would make the experience more enjoyable, when in reality, it made it more difficult.

Crowding:

            When we arrived it was extremely crowded. Each display had at least five different people looking at the exhibit. Rebecca was stepped in front of and maneuvered around and had to wait until everyone else finished to be able to see the full and complete exhibit.      

Accessibility:

            The accessibility was not easy to move through. The way the exhibit was set up was not disability friendly. Due to being in a wheelchair and maneuvering around the other visitors, it was extremely difficult to not run into someone. The pathways were not set up for someone who was wheelchair bound. Due to the inconsideration of others it made it even more difficult to get around the museum. Another discerning component to the experience was the gift shop. As long as she was in the wheelchair she could not go in. She was not able to fit into the gift shop due to the small shop, the people in the shop, and the way the shop was set up. She had to use her crutches to be able to look around the gift shop.

Adaptability:

            The people did not adapt very well to Rebecca’s disability at all. Rebecca had to adapt as best she could her surroundings. She describes it as being the “elephant in the room.” She had to maneuver around everyone else, which was hard because she was not use to the wheelchair, due to the fact the wheelchair was not her size and she was not familiar with the dynamics of maneuvering a wheelchair.

Comfort and Meaning:

            She was not comfortable at all in many different aspects. Environmentally she was not comfortable because she felt like she was in everyone’s way and they made her seem like she was. The environment itself stigmatized her because she was disabled and in a wheelchair and the people made it very obvious, from looks to whispering.

Control:

            Rebecca had no control over her space. The only territory she could claim was the wheelchair. Until people moved along she didn’t have space except for the wheelchair. Once the group of people in front of her cleared the exhibit they were looking at, she had space. That was until more people came along, then she had no space trying to move along to the next exhibit.

Privacy:

While observing Rebecca and her struggles, I noticed she never had time to herself like others who could enjoy the exhibit at their leisure and move on. There was always something going on around her. Due to the amount of time it took her to get to the exhibit, look at the exhibit, and try to move on to the next exhibit. It was more of a hassle rather than enjoyment.

Activity:

            While I observed Rebecca struggling, I was also watching the guests around her and their reactions. There was constant staring, whispering, people acting like she was invisible, and not one time did someone step aside and make it easier for her to move on to the next spot.

We were not allowed to take pictures inside the museum and we forgot to take one after we left. The first is a picture of before we left my house to start our adventure, the second is one from the Bodies Exhibit Museum's website.

Rebecca before we left:

http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/atlanta/templates/bodiesatlanta/images/bodies-2.jpg

Jennifer Fagin

My Date with Charlie Barlie

Rachel Bell

Accessible Date Assignment

Human Socialization

March 19, 2013

Me and Charlie

            First let me start off by saying that I really love this assignment and wish everyone could partake in something along these lines. I am an ABA therapist and my job involves children with Autism. With my job, we cater to the needs of the children to make it easier for them so they may learn and grow. But to take one of them out of that type of setting and see how they function, I had never done before. So thanks to this assignment I decided to go out on a “date” with Charlie, one of my kids that I used to work with. We talked and he decided that he wanted to go to Chic-fil-a and Jeronimo.

            To start off accessibility was not such a huge deal for Charlie. He is high functioning and has pretty good motor skills and can get around without any type of assistants. If I had gone out with another one of the kids from work, they would have had a much more difficult time. There was not a handicap ramp on the side we went into. This particular Chic-fil-a is really good as far as space is concerned and there is not a huge problem with crowding. Tables and chairs are spaced out pretty evenly and there’s plenty of space. Charlie does have issues with overcrowded areas and tends to shut down and not talk or socialize with those around him.

There is also a level of comfort and meaning to Chic-fil-a with Charlie because goes there quite a bit with his family and other therapists that work with him at home. So he has a familiarity with Chic-fil-a and feels very comfortable there, even if it is one that he does not necessarily go to often. I have noticed in other circumstances that if there is a level of comfort and/or meaning connected with a place he is much more relaxed and open to being social with others, especially adults. But if it is a new place, some place that he would not chose to go, he keeps to himself and does not talk with others. While we were there we talked about what all he was doing in school now and if he liked his new teachers, how he enjoyed the circus and what all were his favorite parts, and how excited he was for Jeronimo.   

Next we went to Jeronimo which is an indoor playground for kids and our activity for the day. He had been here one other time that I knew of and beyond excited to go back. Here sensory stimulation was kind of an issue, but he handled it very well. There are a lot of bright colors, tons of kids running around, and a lot to do. You've seen kids with ADD, who can’t stay with one task for too long before seeing something else, well he was kind of like this in the beginning. He would not be on one piece of equipment before he was off to the next one. But he did very well with the sociability aspect of it. He made a couple of new friends while he was there, Jessica and Michael. He was very excited about this part and even brought them over to meet me. He also was really good when it came to control. He used to not be able to be close to people he didn't know or share a lot about himself. But he was talking to his friends and telling them about himself and in close proximity to them. For me, as his teacher, this really touched my heart.

          By doing this assignment, I really got to see him in the “real world,” and see how things 
are different for him. It really made me think about how it would be if you were handicapped in 
any  way and how little things are even difficult to. Because of my job, I often wondered how life 
would be if I were to have a child who was disabled. And by doing this assignment, I got a little 
glimpse into what that kind of world would look like. 

Steaks and Weights.

As I did not know anyone in the immediate area that I could ask out for the accessible date assignment I opted to go out with a good friend of mine and survey the multiple dimensions of a few different environments in the context of how someone with a disability might interact with them. We went out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse and then hit up the gym.

This is the  friend I decided to go out with (left).  This is probably about as close as we get to a "nice" picture. Unfortunately we did not think to take any of ourselves while we were out and about on our friend date.

Accessibility:

A few of the parking places

   The parking lot at the restaurant was very accessible to anyone that might have mobility issues. There were multiple handicapped parking places and entrance ramps at either end of the walkways which lead to the restaurant entrance. However, we did note that the double french doors which are typical to most Outback Steakhouse locations might not be the most accessible. The individual doors were a bit too narrow to be easily accessible to anyone that might be in a wheel chair or on crutches, so both doors would likely need to be held open to accommodate someone. If the individual were out on a date or with friends that likely would not be an issue. However, if someone were to go out to dinner by themselves at that location they might have a little difficulty as the doors are kind of heavy, and the hosts did not really pay attention to anything going on outside of their immediate duties. That aside, the interior of the restaurant seemed quite accessible mobility wise. The aisles in between booths were very spacious allowing for easy navigation, and the handicapped stall in the restroom provided ample room and comfort.                                                   

The wide walkways

The restroom in the restaurant

I tried to think about this assignment from multiple perspectives, and I concluded that someone with difficulties of vision might have a hard time accessing this environment because even in the middle of the afternoon they kept it almost uncomfortably dim on the inside.

     The gym was also pretty accessible. It is a 24 hour gym and during unstaffed hours you have to use a key to get in but the lock on the door seems to be fairly reachable, and there was a ramp leading to the entrance. Inside the gym the equipment seemed well enough spaced out to provide enough room for easy navigation (however people did tend to leave equipment strewn about the aisles which could potentially be troublesome).                                                       

Shower and guard rails at the gym

Adaptability:

  The restaurant was fairly adaptable. I inquired the hosts there if they had any special seating arrangements for anyone that might need room for a walker or a wheel chair and they said that they had half booths with chairs that could be removed to accommodate  anyone in need. Additionally, I am sure that the lights could be turned up or the blinds opened to aid anyone with vision problems. However, when asked whether or not they had a Braille menu, the servers were unsure and had to ask a manager. The manager was also unsure. He stated that they had one in the past but were unsure where to locate it and that they would be happy to read the menu out to us. I suppose that is adaptable in a way, but it could be a bit inconvenient for someone that wished to do things independently or that wanted some privacy or personal space without a random waiter chiming off the menu in their ears. I also inquired as to whether or not the various TV’s in the restaurant could be turned up or down to benefit someone that had difficulties hearing and they said that it was possible upon request. 

The weight rack at the gym which could potentially be rearranged if needed

     The gym was also fairly adaptable. It looked as if some of the machines could be adjusted to benefit people with differing disabilities. The heights of some of the equipment could be adjusted as well as most of the weight levels on most of the machines. I am sure if someone had difficulty reaching the racked weights that other arrangements could be made ahead of time.

    

Additionally, the gym was equipped with panic buttons and AED machines in case of an emergency which could be beneficial to everyone including someone with a disability or poor health problems. Every week the gym also offers a SilverSneakers course which is specifically targeted towards older adults or people who need to take things a little slower at the gym. I thought that was pretty neat because people could have their own time at the gym, and workout at their own pace without worrying about a bunch of meat heads roiding out around them. However, there was no Braille on any of the equipment or anywhere else in the gym that I observed.

Comfort:

            The restaurant seemed pretty comfortable in our opinion as well. As I said, the quarters were spacious enough to provide ease of mobility. The accessible booths were off to the side (though not hidden away) so as to provide plenty of room to anyone using it without the worry of being in the walkways. The restrooms were also spacious and comfortable with all of the sinks and soaps being within reach. However, as I mentioned earlier the restaurant was not as accessible as to someone with vision difficulties, and likely would not be as comfortable without some adaptations made. However, with some lifted blinds, and the addition of the missing Braille menu, I think the environment could be fairly comfortable to the blind or vision impaired.  

Dim lighting at the restaurant

            In addition to the spacious floor areas and bathrooms I listed under the previous dimensions, there were also numerous fans placed around the gym that were easily reachable and adjustable. Overall the gym seemed fairly easily accessible, adaptable, and quite comfortable (you know for being a place that inherently makes you uncomfortable).

Control:

            Outback is an example of a public territory, so there is little about the environment which can be controlled or personalized and evokes no feelings of territoriality.

            The gym however, could potentially be considered a secondary territory, and therefore if someone staked a territorial claim to it it could be more personalized and controlled a bit more. People might choose a favorite machine or cubby to place their belongings in.  As people pay to use it they may feel like they can control the environment more that they actually can. They can control the gym in small ways such as adjusting the temperature, the level of difficulty of the machinery, or changing the station on one of the televisions.

Crowding:

            Crowding was not an issue in either environment though I could envision both being so during certain times and on certain days. There weren’t very many people at the restaurant or the gym when we went, and as I said things were spaced out well enough so as to not cause any claustrophobic feelings.

Privacy:

            Both environments offered us a substantial amount of privacy considering that they were public territories. The booths at the restaurant were fairly private and even if had been busier the day that we went I feel we still would have been able to hold a private conversation without too much interruption. Normally the gym is not the best place to go if you are seeking privacy. The day we opted to go there weren’t many people there at all and it was easy enough to avoid the few stragglers that were there if we wished. The gym is a 24 hour one as well, so if someone required more privacy when they worked out they could go at times when it was less crowded.

Sensory stimulation:

An example of the visual stimulation at the steakhouse

Television and bar area at the restaurant

            Both environments offered abundant sensory stimulation. The atmosphere at the restaurant was both stimulating and relaxing with interesting lighting, art on the walls, and televisions and music playing in the background. Of course there were also delicious smells and tastes surrounding us. The gym was stimulating as well, also offering televisions and music. However, the interior design of the gym was visually more neutral. But what the gym lacks in visual stimulation it makes up with the sense of touch.

Some of the various sources of stimulation that the gym has to offer

Sociality:

            While the restaurant and the gym can be fairly private, they can also be social environments if desired. Though the booths are semi private, they are still located near enough to others that one could converse with someone at a neighboring table. However, in my experience many people do not wish to be spoken to especially by strangers while they are eating. There was a bar in the restaurant which would be a better fit for someone wishing to socialize, however the bar was very high and therefore might not be accessible to someone disabled.

The gym can be a very social place as well. Though many people do not like to be disturbed at the gym there are many, if not more that are more than happy to give you suggestions, answer any questions you might have, and in some cases even help you with your workout if you so desire them to.

                                    Conclusion:

This was a very interesting assignment and it helped me to think about the role that the environment plays not only in the lives of the disabled but in everybody's in a different context. However, I did not feel like I got the full scope of the project as I was not actually able to go on a date with someone. Because of that I decided to contact a friend of mine that lives out of state and see what his thoughts were on the matter to gain a more personal understanding and a valued view point. I asked him what his dating experiences have been like as a man living with a disability and whether or not he felt that the environment somehow perpetuated some of the stereotypes and misconceptions of disability as solely a biological issue. His response touched me:

"It’s been interesting. I’m 27 and I've kissed one girl and have zero sexual experience. Half of that is due to people not looking at me as more than an asexual being, and the other half is environment and circumstance. Obviously things don’t happen in public bathrooms as often as the porn world would lead you to believe, but it’s physically very difficult to have any sort of relations. One time a friend told me that it’s a blessing in disguise that I can’t initiate things with girls because that means they’ll have to take the first step. And since the burden would be on them, it would always be wanted. That doesn't really fly though. I've learned that now. That being said, I went to university. Every week I go to a movie or a concert or something. I have the desire and the wherewithal to succeed in social settings. I was my class president. I handle things in stride."

Accessible Date

Lauren Sweeny

Human Socialization

Overstreet

Accessible Date Assignment

3/18/13

My Date with Michaela

            For my date I asked my friend Michaela to go out with me. Michaela has lupus so when it is very cold, she has to use a walker because her joints get very stiff and swell and it is painful for her. We decided that we would go to dinner at La Bamba off of Jiles road in Kennesaw. When we got to the restaurant, I immediately noticed that crowding was an issue. Since it was a Friday night, the restaurant was busy and it was difficult for Michaela to maneuver to our seat without having to say “excuse me” a few times.  Michalea is a very charismatic so she made the situation of crowding very clear to everyone, let us just say she was hungry and everyone knew it. The hostess chose a booth for us and that is when the concept of adaptability became apparent to me, there was nowhere to put Michaela’s walker without it being in the middle of the isle where people were walking through. Since the restaurant was busy, there were no available tables, where it would have been much more convenient for her to put her walker aside. The hostess put her walker against the wall by the bathrooms, Michaela seemed fine with is but I felt that it really affected her accessibility. We then ordered some queso, with jalepenos of course, and had a good time laughing and telling stories about work. I had the carnitas dinner and Michaela had the special #4, burritos and enchiladas or something like that.

            After dinner, the waitress brought Michaela her walker from where it was placed, and we headed out to go watch our friends play tennis. I drove to the tennis courts and there was already a match going on. When we got there, sociality became very involved. Our friend Becca helped Michaela get to the top of the bleachers so that she did not have to drag her walker up to the top. Everyone was very helpful to Michaela and made it known that she was not an inconvenience. Since Michalea does not always have to use her walker, she was annoyed with it at this point. Her activity showed me that she was frustrated with her joints being painful and stiff. We watched a few games of tennis and it was freezing outside so we decided to leave. Michaela has a lot going on in her family right now so she asked if we could go somewhere with privacy and talk about it.  Being her friend, of course I was willing to let her talk to me about her personal life.

            We went to my house where legibility was much easier for her then at the restaurant and tennis courts. Michalea and I sat on the couch and talked for a good few hours. She talked about how her parents are fighting a lot about money and she feels like it is partially her fault because of her illness. She was upset because lupus really breaks down her immune system and she has to get hospitalized a lot. I tried to make her feel better that it is not her fault, but then again I have never been in a situation like hers. I feel like she definitely found comfort in me when we talked about it. It was late at this point so I took Michaela home and thanked her for our good time. She is a great friend and I am lucky to have her around.

This site does great explaining muscle and joint pain from lupus