Another Saturday at the Library

By Linda Sisk

Once again, it was time to go to the library to return and exchange books and audio cassettes. I had just received shipment of a rollator to try out. About the same time, I also received shipment of a wheelchair, supplied to me by MSAA. I was not sure the rollator was going to work for me but was eager to find out. My intent had been to take just the rollator with me to the library, thinking it would make it easier for me to sit at the stacks and to carry any materials I chose. My friend, who was taking me there, insisted we take the wheelchair also, in case I needed it before we returned home. This was an unseasonably warm February day. An additional stop at a local park would also have been pleasant and the wheelchair might be needed. Even going shopping was not totally out of the question, though I resist shopping like a contagious disease. And, I must confess, I had not been feeling my best all week. So, I walked to the truck with the help of the rollator, which worked better than I had expected and took it with me into the library.

Having the seat, narrow though it was, allowed me to sit by the stacks and browse for a book. After browsing and walking around the library, I was overcome with exhaustion and decided it was time to start back home. Being thoughtful, my friend insisted I go ahead to the truck, while he checked out the books and tapes we had selected. Just as I sat down in the truck, I realized I needed to go to the bathroom. Again, my friend came to the rescue. He insisted I use the wheelchair to return to the library bathroom because it was a significant distance for me to walk, especially as I already felt so poorly.

Having tested the rollator, I confirmed my opinion that it would be of little use and not safe for me because of the hills at home and the narrow seat with no back support. On the other hand, I had demonstrated my need for the wheelchair. I immediately accepted it with gratitude rather than with shame and resentment. At least, I would have the option of using it at home when I was too tired and when someone took me out to a place that would be too tiring for me to walk. Of course, the manual wheelchair doesn’t support my desire for independence outside my home. It will be taken out only on the rare occasion I have an escort to push me.