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Four-wheeling in the city


"This is my kind of town
Chicago is my kind of town
Chicago is my kind of people too
People who smile at you and

Each time I roam
Chicago is calling me home...

Chicago is one town that won't let you down
It's my kind of town"



I have always felt this way about Chicago - the city of my birth and the city I love most. 

Until my trip last week, I would have said it was an easy city to get around in - and it still is if you're two-footing. But if you're four-wheeling and the sidewalks are snow-covered and the temps are below zero (below zero before the wind chill!!), it's a little more challenging. And I had help schlepping around the city with Delaney pushing my chair and loading it in-and-out of trunks (with the help of some interesting Lyft/taxi drivers). While queing up to enter the CIBC theatre to see Hamilton (incredible, worthy of the hype!!!) in those sub-zero temps, we met a kind couple that empathized with our plight and helped move us along so we could more easily get inside as there were several pushy patrons (say that fast three times!) making that seemingly easy task, difficult.

I'm willing to think the best of 'pushy-patrons' - that maybe they just don't see the woman in the wheelchair because they're so focused on getting inside or moving ahead. They're looking up and ahead, not down and to their side.

Delaney and I went shopping as well. A few of the stores did not have their accessible doors unlocked, because we learned that once those doors are opened the wind (it's the windy city after all!) prevented them from closing automatically. I get that and was grateful when one store clerk spotted us outside and literally ran to open the door for us. And I'm grateful to all the fellow shoppers that helped by opening or holding doors for us.

We went to a restaurant that had a lift for wheelchairs - but only one person on staff that knew how to operate it! And another restaurant with a lift that looked scary and as if it hadn't been used in awhile. Delaney and I took one look at it, looked at one another and agreed it was safer if I walked down the stairs. She then carried the chair down the stairs and I'm glad I have a lighter chair and a strong daughter!!

And that was my take-away from our recent trip. I am grateful I have a strong daughter who is willing to schlepp for and explore with me (and I'm confident Michael and Matthew would do the same) because I couldn't do it without you. Some battles or adventures are now too big for me to attempt by myself and I know that coming to that realization is HUGE for this strong-willed (not stubborn), independent woman. Admitting it does not mean I am weak, because it takes strength to ask for and accept help (especially from your children). I plan to do as much as I can for myself for as long as I can, but I will ask for help when needed. Because I'm strong!!

The Windy City may have lost some of it's allure for me, but it's still my favorite!

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