The Soaking Wet Wheelchair Girl

I've been journaling since I was 14-years-old. It was during my junior year of college at Western Michigan University that I began journaling online at Digital Expressions. I like to say before blogging became the cool thing to do. In this small community of bloggers, I learned how to open up about the experiences I was having with my disability. There was a freeing feeling about writing to an audience that did not know me, would not judge and accepted me through my writing.

This is an old blog, but it is one I want to share with our new readers and dedicate to my first blogger friends Rossetta (rossetta) and Pana (lovesick). Thank you for your friendship, Lucia (the rolling poet)

The Soaking Wet Wheelchair Girl
July 25, 2001

So it's raining again. Half of me is soaked and half dry. But you know what - I find it funny today.

I worked two hours at the Engineering College. As I rolled to work I noticed it was sprinkling. The sky was blue and I thought that was interesting. Once I was at work it started thundering and of course begins to pour.

The night before I had planned out the two hours I had in between work and class. I needed to go to the post office, buy a birthday card at the bookstore and thought I'd grab a bit to eat. Ha! As I was about to head out of the office my boss asked if I wanted an umbrella. I said no at first because I knew it was going to be hard to wheel, and hold the umbrella at the same time as I rolled down hill after hill. But she insisted and so I decided to take her up on the offer.

We went outside and tested it out. Of course I was right and it was very hard to hold and maneuver my chair at the same time. I was able to keep myself half dry under her watchful eye. As I began rolling I laughed. The rain was coming down hard and I had the umbrella string wrapped around my seat belt. The umbrella was leaning against my shoulder and working out so so.

I was going down this hill ... I LOST IT! Almost lost control of the chair because my hands were all wet and slippery. My wheels were just too slick!! The umbrella went back, I went forward and I stopped. I sat there staring at the umbrella on the ground as the rain came down on me. I started laughing. Only this could happen to me.

At that moment it didn't seem to matter if I was getting wet. I just got some sort of amusement out of it, a good laugh, and I smiled all the way to my destination. I ended up closing the umbrella and wheeling my fastest to the library to dry off. Forget the plans I had made. I got a couple of smiles as I raced through the doors.

So here I sit now, writing. It's still raining. The smile is still on my face and to tell you the truth the rain did feel good. I have class in an hour and a half, hopefully by then I will be a little dry. Just think - I wouldn't have any weird stories to tell if it wasn't for my chair. I wouldn't have any stories about falling out of my chair. Seeing the horror and shock on peoples faces as they see me face in the sidewalk, wheels up in the air still rolling! Running into open doors, freaky people grabbing my chair, the hills, duct tape, the squeaky wheel and oh I could go on.

xo,
the rolling poet

Current Mood: Amused

- Lucia -

Comments

[Lucia]

Thanks for the comments Brandon & Luke!

[Lucas_madden]

I totally had an experience similar to this! It was my sophomore year at Grand Valley and I was leaving for class while it was pouring. I walked out of my dorm and opened my umbrella, only to have it break in the wind. I had to walk to the opposite end of campus and I got soaked! I then had to sit through two and a half straight hours of lectures. Absolutely miserable! haha

[Brandon]

this is pure gold! i'm especially amused at your screen name (clever!) and your current mood!