It’s 6:20 p.m. and I’m sitting in a wheelchair at the Bob Hope Airport, foot in one of those big boots and crutches nearby. It’s just a bad sprain, nothing broken.
Because I couldn’t walk through the scanner, I got one of those “special” pat-downs. The TSA woman was very pleasant and professional, but after that encounter I think she should buy me dinner.
And the plane is delayed. Sigh. They’re hoping it will leave at 7 p.m. (Original departure time was 4:30 p.m.)
Airport wheelchairs are as wonky as shopping carts. I can’t easily move in a straight line — unless I need to turn, in which case I seem able only to go straight. Balancing my backpack on my lap and the crutches next to me turns the whole thing into a sitcom anyway.
As I slowly zigged and zagged toward the restroom, a young man interrupted his cell-phone conversation to ask, “Can I give you a push?”
“Thank you, yes,” I said. “And avert your eyes — I need to go to the ladies’ room and there are some things you can’t un-see.”
He pushed me in as far as the sinks and then bolted. Once I got the chair into the disabled stall, I couldn’t make it turn around. A woman washing her hands said, “Is there anything I can do for you?” I took the crutches and hopped away, and she turned the chair around for me.
After washing my hands, I inched toward the exit. A couple of cleaners looked at me and one said, in Spanish, “Could I help you?”
“Yes, thank you,” I replied, also in Spanish. She wheeled me out and asked, “Where are you going?”
“A-5, over there. Thank you so much.”
My education was not wasted after all! I got to use my Spanish in the bathroom!
It’s hard to ask for help
Air travel can be a pain in the ass even if you’re healthy. I’m frustrated that I can’t move around easily during this delay, and wondering how I’ll manage during my week in Phoenix.
While I was sitting outside the hospital waiting for my ride, an older woman stopped to speak with me. I told her I was on my way to the airport to visit my daughter and son-in-law. I also said I was afraid I’d be a burden.
The woman said, “Maybe this is a chance for her to take care of you for a while.”
I guess. But it was hard enough to accept assistance from total strangers. As bizarre as it sounds, asking a family member for help is very hard for me. I’m one of those people who would rather offer help than accept it.
I’ll get over myself fairly soon. After all, people use crutches all the time. Right now I’m feeling weary and vulnerable and in need of a shower (but more than a little scared of slipping in the bathtub at Tim and Abby’s apartment).
I’m going to wheel down to what looks like a food place and see if there’s anything I can digest. All I’ve had today is a bowl of oatmeal, a tangerine, about half of a Quarter Pounder with Cheese (so would that make it an Eighth-of-a-Pounder?) and a few fries, and a handful of some dried cherries. Also two squares of Ghirardelli chocolate that Liz Weston handed me at the airport entrance. Bless her heart.
I had a friend tell me once that my death was going to be quite a long and hilarious story. You are trying to one up my story at every turn. No wait, you can’t turn in the wheelchair or could you?
I’m glad people were so nice! Hang in there and be very careful in the shower.
Ooh, does this mean you’re going to be a cameo on ipickuppennies this week?
What the heck?! You were fine when I saw you at lunch on Monday! What happened? Retribution for the paperback novel you let Liz’s dog eat while you were housesitting?
All joking aside, take the help when you can get it! I had knee surgery in 2009. I needed help with just about everything for nearly a month. Like you, I am used to being the helper, not the helpee, so this was hard for me at first. Just realize that the people around you wish they could make you better, but since they can’t, they offer assistance. And you wouldn’t want to deny them of all the good karma they will get for being such selfless and giving people, would you? (((HUGS)))
Oh, Donna. I’m so sorry! I broke my foot falling down a flight of stairs, so I feel your pain! And I had to fly shortly after the walking cast thing came off, but no crutches in the airport.
I also had to purchase a shower stool and a hand-held shower head since I couldn’t stand doing *that* either. It really does humble one.
I wish you a very speedy recovery and a wonderful visit with your family!
Looking forward to the double blogging of Survivina and Thriving and I Pick up Pennies! Sounds like it will be an event.
Before the whole TSA strip search debacle my sister flew to visit relatives. They poked and prodded, searched her wheel chair thoroughly, and took her fake leg away for a closer examination. Eventually they allowed her to board the plane.
I hope you heal quickly. I must be very careful not to get injured myself. My family members are not very nurturing. It would be like being looked after by Nurse Ratchet from One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest.
While its awful you’re having so much trouble, it really is so very nice of all of those people to help you!! Usually people see you struggling and just look the other way, I’m glad you’ve had some nice people cross your path!!
Hi Donna,
I’m glad that nothing was broken.
Cathy
Presumably you’re here by now. Hope Abby is entertaining you royally, and you’re getting over your worry about give her a chance to take care of you, for once. Wish the weather was a little warmer for you! 🙂
Hi Donna, So sorry to hear of your misfortune. But glad nothing is broken. You gave me a chuckle describing your encounter at airport security with “your new BF”…You did strike a chord with your fear in the shower. With DW and I both, it seems the older we get the more vulnerable we feel on sleppery surfaces. I fell in an ice storm this year. I fell so fast I struck the back of my head and got the wind knocked out of me. I saw “stars” for a bit and gained a new respect for slippery surfaces!
@Jestjack: Ouch! You have my sympathies. I took one fall when I was in Anchorage; there was a low wall nearby so I was able to grab it and slow down my landing, so to speak. Still felt pretty silly — and, yeah, vulnerable.
After three shower-less days I finally got one on Saturday. I felt so much better.
Thanks for migrating over to the dark side. 😉 Tell your friends!
I must have missed this post the first time around. Or maybe I am just confused. Anyway, you seem to be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat no matter what happens.!