March 1st is International Wheelchair Day! A day to celebrate all the amazing things a wheelchair does for those of us who use one. For me, this week my wheelchair decided to malfunction on me and that was stressful because my chair is literally how I function and move around for every day life. My wheelchair kept being compared to a car and to some degree, yeah that’s true, but a wheelchair is so much more important. It’s how I move around my house and the world independently. My electric/power wheelchair allows me to do things independently as a quad that I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise without my wheelchair. And it’s how many others are able to move around the world independently. Wheelchairs are freedom! Wheelchairs are mobility! There’s still a long way to go with wheelchair services and making sure airlines and others are more aware of how to care and handle one’s wheelchair. We also got a long way to go with accessibility for ALL wheelchairs, not just manual wheelchairs. Yeah I said it! Buildings should be accessible for all and all should feel welcomed when entering and maneuvering around. Wheelchairs are important! Love your wheelchair! Cherish your wheelchair! Own using your wheelchair! Happy International Wheelchair Day!
