Exciting times are upon us!
Yes, after what has seemed an endless wait, the day has finally arrived. It’s like Xmas and a birthday and possibly a Shrove Tuesday all wrapped up in one sparkly and pancake-free package.
Because tomorrow I pick up my new wheelchair!
Slow Progress
To put this in context for anyone who hasn’t had the dubious pleasure of following my blog for any length of time, this is a wheelchair that has been on order for over three months. An order that went in after my previous chair was deemed unfit for purpose, taken outside, and shot.
And thus began an ordeal.
It took some three weeks before I saw an occupational therapist to talk about a new chair.
After that brief chat, a replacement of the same make and model (think of wheelchairs like cars if that helps) was agreed and an order submitted onto ‘the system’ A month later I rang up to check progress and was told the order was still in the system, an unnecessary delay. I asked for a call back from the Occupational Therapist (who was the one person unlucky enough to have a name I remembered) and lo and behold when he checked on said system the order was under way and with the manufacturers.
The End Of The Beginning
This should have been the beginning of the end, and for my phone calls and visits, which, checking my phone records, number ten calls and two visits since the end of January (the early contacts being to get the old chair fixed. Sadly, the manufacturers in question are in Germany, meaning the thing had to be made and then shipped by who knows what means to West Yorkshire.
Now, even the ramshackle service that is Ross Care were not going to leave me completely immobile for any length of time and when the old chair was put out of its misery, they kindly lent me a chair ‘to be going on with’. Not bad, you might think, except the chair is so blatantly not designed with me in mind.
Made To Measure (Someone Else)
The seat is too short and made for someone with shorter legs. The wheels are too small and set too low to make self-propelling easy. The only way to get it in the back of my car is to completely strip it down to its constituent parts. Add in the footplate that refuses to stay locked in place, and it is some way off ideal.
The End Of The Beginning
This should have been the beginning of the end, and for my phone calls and visits, which, checking my phone records, number ten calls and two visits since the end of January (the early contacts being to get the old chair fixed. Sadly, the manufacturers in question are in Germany, meaning the thing had to be made and then shipped by who knows what means to West Yorkshire.
Now, even the ramshackle service that is Ross Care were not going to leave me completely immobile for any length of time and when the old chair was put out of its misery, they kindly lent me a chair ‘to be going on with’. Not bad, you might think, except the chair is so blatantly not designed with me in mind.
Made To Measure (Someone Else)
The seat is too short and made for someone with shorter legs. The wheels are too small and set too low to make self-propelling easy. The only way to get it in the back of my car is to completely strip it down to its constituent parts. Add in the footplate that refuses to stay locked in place, and it is some way off ideal.
So, yes, to cut a far too long story (from my perspective at least; I can’t speak for you) a little shorter, tomorrow with its doorway to easier mobility and a slightly less achy back cannot come soon enough. Assuming there’s no further delays or cock-ups, that is
What is it they say about tempting fate again?
Until next time!
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Hey, there! If you enjoyed reading any of the above, why not take a look at some of my published work? Below you’ll find links to a number of short stories I’m lucky enough to have included in anthologies. I’d love to know what you think. My debut novel, The Heart That Died, is available now as both paperback, E-book, and on Kindle Unlimited, so I’m adding the link to that, too.
Oh, and if you like what you look-see, a nice, positive review would also be most welcome.
The Heart That Died
New Tales Of Old
Death Ship
Pestilence: Drabbles 1
Reaperman: Drabbles 3
The Musketeers Vs Cthulhu
Eldritch Investigations
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