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When a block is a mile and a hill is a mountain

 I love it when I'm able to surprise myself. It's kind of hard to do if you think about it - surprising yourself; it's not like you can jump out and say surprise or think something you didn't know you were thinking. You know what I mean?





Here's how the feat transpired. 

I was parked in Saugatuck at the corner of Butler and Hoffman, near the book store. I needed to get to choir rehearsal and then come back to the store, so my original thought was that I would drive the block and a half and then come back. But it was a busy Saturday and I knew that parking was at a premium, so I  debated with myself about whether I would drive or leave the car and maneuver to rehearsal. You might be thinking, what's the big deal it's only a block. Even in a wheelchair, you should be able to go a block. And I can.

But this is a block with a fairly steep hill and a fairly rutted sidewalk.

But if I drive t here may not be any parking spaces nearby and I'll end up having to park more than a block away.

I made the decision to go for it. Heck, I reasoned, I need a little extra exercise.

So started across the street and then turned the chair around and used my left foot (my left foot and leg are strong, it's the right the literally trips me up) to help propel me while I also used my arms to turn the wheels. At one point, I looked down towards my car and noticed that I'd popped open the trunk when I was debating about driving.  I thought, going back seemed like a lot of extra effort plus it's a safe small town I would close the trunk when I came back in an hour.

At about the same time as I made that decision, a woman called up asking if I needed help. I told her no, but could she close the trunk of my car. She paused a moment and asked "You sure?" It was a beautiful sunny day, I was sure.

I then stood, about halfway up that Hoffman Hill and decided to push the chair the rest the way.

Atop that hill, feeling joyful at making it to the top, I was greeted by four stairs in the sidewalk that I couldn't do. I wasn't going to let a stupid design flaw stop me now, so I opted to make my along Griffith street in the street until I made it to the First Congregational Church where we have out rehearsals. There I found the accessible entrance locked. I sat down, exasperated and nearly wept. Seriously, why does a 'simple' task have to be so complicated. Why are there so many roadblocks? I didn't want to get stuck in a pity party after how far I had come. Hell, it was like I climbed a damn mountain! So, instead I called one of my fellow choristers to come get me. She greeted me with a smile and a hug and her joyful presence.

We had a fun short rehearsal.

Greatly relieved and a little exhausted, I was grateful that the return trip was downhill.



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