Just a thought re needing assistance in public ...

[MichaelOM]

I belong to a playwright's group at Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago which is part of their Access Project which is focused on maximizing public accessibility for disabled persons. (Thank them, and others like them, the next time you need to use an automatic door opener.)

As such, many of our members and, when we have an event, much of our audience are themselves disabled in some way. Many of these people require assistance, be it a cane, a wheelchair, or a personal assistant to navigate in public. Most are cautious and shy in public, waiting their turn and staying out of the way so as to avoid being tripped over or having to listen to the impatient clucks and sighs of the more able-bodied people around them.

However, at our last event there was a blind woman who took an opposite approach. I just happened to be looking her way when an ala carte dessert table was brought out. As the room became aware of this many started to stir. However, most of the disabled hung back or accepted offers from others to bring something back for them.

Not this lady.

She stood up, stuck out her cane and demanded, "WHERE'S THE CAKE! LEAD ME TO THE CAKE!" And, sweeping the space in front of her, she marched forward, shouting, "I WANT SOME CAKE! AM I GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? WHERE'S THE CAKE?"

Well, as you might expect she got her cake, and while there were many others who had cake brought to them, others still didn't get any or had to wait for the dregs.

I guess her behavior could be considered obnoxious, but I also imagine she endured many missed opportunities in her life before she adopted this approach.

Now, I'm not sure I will ever use this strategy for cake, but I have been "off" in public before and once found myself staggering up to a Dunkin' Donuts counter in the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago to buy a cup of coffee to wash down my meds,

This particular day I hadn't shaved in a while and forgot my cane, so I think I was looking more intoxicated and/or homeless than disabled as I staggered to the front of the line. I remember the barista was surprised I had a $20 bill in my pocket.

I think, if I ever find myself in this position again, I will stop at the end of the line and shout, "EXCUSE ME, BUT I HAVE PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND AM, AT THE MOMENT IN NEED OF SOME ASSISTANCE ..."

I'll let you know how it turns out.

[Carrigan]

What a story can relate to some of what you described but only as a carer. good luck keep striving the bit about the forgetting the cane, my hubby does not need a cane ( walking stick hear in yorkshire england) when his meds working so he does consequently leave them in variouse places. We have a colletion now. My hubby enjoyed a pint or two before Pd but now even on a cola people I know observe and judge him as having too many , such is life. The very best to you and your and take care.

[MichaelOM]

Thanks C. Thanks for writing. I love Yorkshire. Have been twice before (1975 and 1983 fall terms for me and then my sister at Leeds Poly). Doubt there'll be a third visit, unfortunately. Tell hubby, damn their judgements and have pint o' bitter for me!

[PatV]

Love this!

[Parkie35]

LOVE it too! It's one thing I'm learning quickly is if I need help I need to ask for it and be upfront about it! ESPECIALLY when it comes to me being so darn brain dead!

[Koko]

I really enjoyed your story. THanks !

[CJ49]

Your story reinforces the need to educate "John-Q-Public" about Parkinsons . I tell them it is an "incurable, cronic, neurological condition.....I never call it a "disease" because it can not be spread by contact. (As soon as you say disease....that's the usual look they give you.)

Thank you for the post!

[jillannf6]

hi

i agree]

the public do need eduacating about partkinsons and related illnesses

lol Jill