The tale of three buses

Firstly, I can't take the credit for the title my best mate, deserves praise for that brainwave.

This time, I want to share with you, how a nice lunch with a friend, rapidly turned into an epic wheelchair adventure.

My friend and I arranged to meet outside a pub, we previously enjoyed a few months earlier. We walked into the pub only to discover, that all the tables that were accessible for my chair were completely full and all the tables, that have steps coming from it were totally empty (how ironic). We then, decided to relocate to the pub directly opposite, start the lunch with a clean slate.

Then, once that wrinkle of a problem had been ironed out, the afternoon began innocently enough with a lovely lunch, followed up with some pleasant conversation, which included telling stories, news updates and generally putting the world to rights. All the things you'd expect from a girly catch up, it was going so smoothly.

Before I left the pub, I paid a visit to the disabled toilet, which quite frankly looked more like a store room filled with an array of different bins, some boxed off pipework, hampering my manoeuvring and an over large sink, that restricted my movement. Once l had finished my game of toilet twister (which I've got quite good at now) we gathered up our belongs and left the pub.

Then we began mooching round town window shopping. As well as actual shopping, going from shop to shop like a bee going from flower to flower picking pollen. We then reached a bookshop,  this is where the wheelchair adventure began to unfold.

Let me set the scene, the shop had loads of large display tables piled high with the latest books, like a Jenga game (in fact, I think Jenga is sold there) which where in the middle of the room. Then, there were book cases and comfy chairs scattered everywhere. It is then expected, that a customer weaves through the thin walkways created by the tables, just to locate their favourite author.

As you may imagine, this layout is less than favourable, for trying to navigate a large power chair round the shop. I always knew this combination, can only spell trouble and result in disaster one day. This afternoon was that day, I weaved through as expected, it was impossible to judge the space, the back wheel chose that moment to have a mind of it's own and go in the opposite direction. This resulted, in colliding with one of the tables and destroying a book display.

Once it happened, I felt embarrassment that I created a scene, as well as extra work for the shop assistant. This was soon followed by, a feeling of satisfaction, because I had unintentionally demonstrated how impractical the layout was for people Iike myself. 

I automatically apologised and the shop assistant assured me it was a common problem. Going on to say, that unfortunately the staff where not responsible for the layout, explaining that someone from management had that pleasure and staff where expected to keep it like that.  Me and my friend discussed how the layout, was maybe considered a good marketing ploy. 

As you might expect,  the young employee rightfully fell silent. The shop assistant,  began to cite an example of how; on one occasion 3 mothers, with pushchairs/strollers had come in at the same time. All of them had to try and get from one end of the shop to another,  without colliding into each other or destroying the displays.  All the while, all the shop assistant could do was watch and see the incident unfold, helping as best she could along the way. During the telling of this story, I purchased a new book and me and my friend left the shop. 

In hindsight the book display incident,should have served as some sort of red light warning to me, that the rest of the  day was going to turn sour. However, I was obvious to it and continued on. Once the thought of shopping, filled us more with dread then joy, we figured it was time to go to our bus stop and head home. This is where the wheelchair adventure, really began to gather some pace.

Before I go further, it's important to point a few things. Firstly, the majority of buses are adapted to accommodate one person in a wheelchair. Secondly, there is a priority for people in wheelchair. This means, that if a person in a chair wants to use the space, there is an expectation that if someone is using it. They must change seats to allow for the other person.

I know a lot of people may find this policy extreme, but I think the thinking behind it is that people have the ability to easily choose and move from seat to seat, moving large objects on the shelving,provided on the bus. Unlike people who are in wheelchairs, who can only use the one bay provided on bus, as more often than not it's not possible to fold up the wheelchair and sit down.

Now, where was I. Oh yeah. We headed towards our bus stop, it soon dawned on us that our stop had been moved, with no indication as to where it had been relocated. So, the hunt for the bus stop ensued. As the search progressed, I was getting more and more disorientated after every turn, feeling like a hamster on a training wheel. Eventually, (thanks to my friends good sense of direction) we tracked a bus stop down. Unfortunately for us, as we were approaching the stop,  we could see the first bus leave the platform. Leaving us no option, but wait for the second one to come along.

Now initially, the thought of us waiting a while, wasn't to terrible as it gave us time to chat and reflect on the days bargain buys. As the time ticked by, it became more apparent that we were in for the usual long wait for the bus., but the question was how long. 

Well, half an hour over the expected time the bus finally arrived, a few disgruntled people started piling onto the bus.  We caught the attention of the driver, so I could get on. Now, we noticed from the window, there was two ladies with a pushchair in the disabled bay. The driver, with assistance from the conductor asked if they could move. I was too far away to hear their response but I can only assume they refused, as I could hear the driver reply with 'you know by rights, I should stop the engine and wait for you to move' These words,  clearly made little impact as  in the next second, the driver turned to me and said 'look, I'm running really behind, can you wait 10 minutes for another bus to come'

In that split second my heart sank,  I felt given the situation the best option was to say 'Yes, okay' I know people may disagree with my approach. I figured if I made a thing of it, got on the bus I'd knowing, be walking into a hostile environment as the ladies have been made to move and I've delayed people further, from going home. This kind of atmosphere, can only spell trouble and quite frankly,  I could do without it after a nice afternoon.

Anyway,  my decision was made, so the wait for the third bus commenced. A few minutes later, the bus turned the corner towards and my friend noticed that there was already a person in a wheelchair, using the space on the bus, so the bus automatically passed us. By this point, the shine of the afternoon had worn off. I did the only thing, most girls do in that situation, call the cavalry AKA dad. At least,  we could garnutee two things a) he would arrive on time, b) I would be able to get in the car. Hopefully avoiding, anymore disappointments and drawing this particular adventure to an end.