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