The initial surveys about mobility devices (wheelchairs and scooters to the rest of the world) have been filled out and collected, and an eyeball-bending amount of stuff has been slurped off the Internet. However, this isn't all that I need to fill out the picture. About two weeks ago, as I was surfing for data, I came across the Abilities Expo website (http://www.abilitiesexpo.com/) and realized that I could actually make it to the event. Ironically, my World of Warcraft guildmate (who has been trying to replace her wheelchair FOR THE PAST YEAR (I usually say this with gritted teeth, a snarl, and a not very kindly look toward Rick Perry and Austin)) saw a billboard there in Houston and we both hopped on guild chat to babble excitedly at each other.
Such a funny synchronicity that we saw it at the same time.
So tomorrow, I set out. I'm renting a wheelchair van (so I can pick her up and take her to the event) and I've got a loaner mobility scooter for myself.
It was a decision I'm uncomfortable with, but my body will appreciate it. As I have aged, I have very recently come to think of my poor body in the same terms that St. Francis talks about his body: "brother donkey" (well, "sister donkey" in my case.) Like all the rest of us, I've been tough on Sister Donkey, spurring her on even when it wasn't all that good for her and not feeding her well. She has her flaws (scoliosis, and now obesity) but she's been pretty sturdy and reasonably agile and has taken my spirit on many adventures. I am going to start taking better care of her (just as I would take care of a cat or a dog in my care.)
And so, recognizing that the drive down will cause my back a lot of pain and that a day marching around a huge hall and asking questions and lugging equipment would put me in bed in agony for a day and a half, I will be attending the event as a "sort of" equal, in a scooter. I will be collecting brochures, taking photographs, and listening to speakers. Because none of this is covered in the Magic IRB Application (the document that gives me the right to do research involving humans) I can't actually do interviews. I can, however, ask if they've got websites where they talk about things and ask them to show me what booths they are most interested in (and see what's there) and I can (because I have permission) count the number of people at booths during the day (I'm taking photos, folks. Easier. Solid documentation.)
My friend has promised to keep me from running over people and things with the scooter. I hope we can find her a vendor for her chair, now that the finances have been approved.
So I'm going native. Or undercover.
Yeah, I like "undercover" better.