International Wheelchair Day!

Since being launched back in 2008, International Wheelchair Day is celebrated around the World on March 1st as a day when wheelchair users celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has on their lives.

As someone who uses a wheelchair, I often have to deal with the negative things that come with relying on wheels to get around like having to plan routes and restaurant reservations based on whether or not there will be steps and if a ramp or alternative access route is available.

Today is about focusing on the positives, being thankful that I have a wheelchair that is comfortable and gives me the necessary support whilst looking stylish and not being too heavy. It has taken a lot to get to this point though. We are lucky in the UK that the NHS has services in place to provide wheelchairs to those that need them, but unfortunately there is often long waiting lists and the chairs that are on offer are often quite bulky and heavy which actually makes getting around harder. I'm very grateful that these services are available and I know there are many countries around the world that don't have access to money or equipment so many people are left with ill-fitting chairs or no equipment at all.

I have had my disability all my life so have never known any different and people often ask me if I had the opportunity to not have my disability for a day and be able to walk around would I do it? The answer is simple, no I wouldn't. My reason for this is, my wheelchair and my disability that causes me to use it are what makes me, me. Without my wheelchair I'd be a different person experiencing life differently. My wheelchair gives me so much, it gives me freedom and the means to get out and about easily; it gives me the support I need and it gives the world a person who is determined to use their knowledge and experiences both positive and negative to make life and the world around them a better place one step at a time.

Anyone who uses a wheelchair whether permanently or periodically depending on their impairment will be able to tell you of times when people see them and make comments like "Vroom vroom" or "There's a speed limit you know" Now yes these might seem like funny little silly things to say but actually these can be difficult for someone and possibly triggering depending on personal experiences. I for one often just roll me eyes and half laugh and just carry on my day because I feel sorry for people that they are so immature they don't know what else to say. It is often teenagers or adults that leave me reacting this way, if children comment or say something I smile and explain why I use it as educating young is key. This is where a day like today is great because it is a way we can educate people to just treat anyone the same regardless of whether they use wheels to get around or not.

I was lucky enough to be asked to take part in a social media campaign today with the wonderful team at Sociability. We were asked to answer, "I love my wheelchair because..." Check out this reel below from Instagram to see what we all said

Sociability is a great app and platform that helps all people with disabilities get detailed information and find accessible places really easily from a phone or tablet. For more information check out their Facebook and Instagram pages