Access

Many years ago, I watched a dear friend struggle - to find handicapped parking for a wheelchair van, to find accessible restaurants, theatres, events. Passable sidewalks.

Just the other day - Chaz, Aswan and I traveled to the beach.

The 1st beach - no available accessible parking.

The 2nd beach - parking lot was too sandy for the chair.

The 3rd beach - success. I found a wheelchair van parking spot - smile.

We traveled the boardwalk towards one end - the quieter end.  Then I saw a ramp, to the beach - exuberant!

We traveled that ramp all the way to its end, where we saw wheelchair 'parking spots'. Unsure if we could use them for the day, we asked a lifeguard.

'Of course. Set up your spot. Your towels. Your umbrella. It's yours for the day.' - beyond words!

It's late summer. A favorite pastime has always been walking the beach, listening to the waves and resting in the sun.

Now we can again - together. 

We never truly understand someone's journey until we literally 'walk in their shoes, or ride in their chair'.

Karen - it's been years. I see you. Now I understand.