Her story
Before the accident, three years ago, I used to be a very active, sport loving person and a social animal. Now I live a bit slower life but keep trying to look on the bright side of it. My family had to change a flat, for one in a block where I can use a wheelchair, and we had to renovate the whole apartment so I could move freely. I usually get up at least half an hour earlier than I used to, because it takes a lot of time to wash and get dressed or even prepare something for breakfast. My parents try not to help me but they do when I have a bad day and do not feel like sitting on a wheelchair. I do not see borders for me in our apartments but they are in my school. Although there is no problem with getting in, I can not use the cloak room because it is in the basement. Luckily our teacher organized our schedule this way that all the lessons we have on the ground floor so I can attend them. But during the breaks someone always has to help me if I want to go to the toilet, because the crowded corridors are terrible.
I have to admit that I find it really difficult to move on my wheelchair in the streets. First of all, now I can see that Warsaw pavements are in a terrible condition. I must ask somebody to push me very often, as it is impossible to omit the holes in the sidewalks. What is more, it is often quicker for me to push my wheelchair into town than to wait for a bus, because the buses are so inaccessible. Even when buses have wheelchair facilities, depending on the level of the pavement, it may not be possible to get on board. Luckily my dad can drive me to school but I have to come back on my own. And shopping, one of my favourite activities became a nightmare. Too many people, no possibility to check what they have in stock, not mentioning about fitting rooms where I can not fit myself! So now I buy most of my clothes on internet.
And the nightlife is different when you use the wheelchair. Whenever I get together with friends we discuss if there are any lifts or satisfying facilities like downstairs toilets. It is hard to socialize, not mentioning meeting somebody new in a pub or club. I will probably never visit some of my best friends at their homes as they live in blocks of flats without lifts.
Luckily I can still do what I love, which is watching movies! I have always loved going to cinema. Although now I can not visit some of the cinemas, as they do not have lifts, special toilets or passages for wheelchairs, there are few I can go to without a problem and enjoy my passion. I am also fond of books and photography, so when I go for a walk, there is always a place for my camera and the latest volumes of my favourite writers. In my free time I attend foreign language courses, I learn Spanish and Italian. One thing I miss though. Before the accident I used to be a very active person, I did a lot of sport, especially tennis and swimming. I have recently been thinking of starting my swimming again but first I have to find a proper swimming pool and an instructor to teach me how to move in the water again. In future I would like to work as a translator. I would translate everything, from books to serious contracts. I could also teach foreign languages or write film reviews. I have always dreamt of being a traveler but I need to fit my plans to my possibilities.
wheelchair – wózek inwalidzki
border – granica
cloak room – szatnia
basement – piwnica
sidewalk/pavement – chodnik
inaccessible – niedostępny
to have in stock – mieć w magazynie