Day 3: Rain, midnight rain, nothing but the wild rain. Todays update will be a bit shorter than previous ones since I spent most of the day in the flat working on my essay for tomorrow so I dont really have much in the way of things to report (unless anybody is interested in whether the industrious owe anything to the reckless or the lazy - which I assume is unlikely!). In general the week is beginning to take its toll already, my energy levels - which arent the highest by this point in term under usual circumstances - are much lower than normal. In the wheelchair everything just takes that bit more energy, both in terms of concentration and physical exertion, so its very easy to get tired. One example would be when I fancied a drink and had to wheel through to the kitchen (attempting to get out of my bathroom with a full glass of water would have been disastrous) and then wheel back again, holding the glass of water between my legs and desperately trying not to spill anything. Just a small, simple task that suddenly has become that little bit harder. On the plus side though, my largely indoors day did provide me with the opportunity to experiment with some tricks, Im now proud to say Ive been able to hold a wheelie for 5 seconds - a record Im definitely hoping to improve on! Ironically, on my two brief times venturing out today I did have a couple of new experiences of note. For one thing, I got to experience the joys of navigating through University College which (sorry guys) is by a long shot the worst college for access that Ive visited so far. The main entrance/lodge is up four large steps which is entirely unhelpful (there is a bell that one can press to get porters to come out and help you up, but its hardly the most dignified form of entry). The only accessible entrance that I could find is through Logic Lane, which could also be termed Cobbles and Other Irritants Lane. Also, the fact that the wheelchair friendly section of the lane runs out halfway up is not that great (see photos). The JCR is also up a flight of stairs and the hall has steps up into it as well (though I must admit I didnt actually try to get in so I cant be certain of how that would be dealt with). So definitely things to be worked on there, which saddens me because I love Univ *totally not pandering to all my friends from that college right now*. I also got to experience Christchurch meadows in the rain which was an interesting experience, noticing what difference variations in surface consistency makes. For those who dont know, the meadows paths are basically the equivalent of hard-packed and incredibly refined dirt, which, Ive now found, clogs up wheels and completely annihilates gloves in the rain: thats two pairs destroyed this week already! Yet another thing which would never have really occurred to me until now; it felt like I was pushing through treacle. Also learnt (belatedly) that, having a waterproof available when one leaves home is vital when youre wheelchair bound, just because it isnt raining when you leave doesnt mean it wont start, accessible forms of shelter become far less frequent, and you end up caught in the rain for a good while. Other than that its mostly been indoors working on my laptop, so not really any different from normal. I am having to remember to occasionally lift my legs onto a chair so they dont stiffen too much. All in all a quieter day today but still with a few interesting experiences (at least I hope you find them interesting). Once again thank you all for your continued interest and support, it really is helpful to know so many people are rooting for me. Please, please keep donating, just under £1,100 at the last count which Im absolutely blown away by: thanks to all whove donated through the day. Thats it from me for now; goodnight my lovelies and talk to you all again tomorrow! Andrew xx
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 00:32:19 +0000
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