Down

Feeling down. Multiple causes include politics, the twisting of the facts by politicians, the chaos caused by the current president, the unbelievable corruption and conflict of interest promoted by the president and his cronies that no one seems to question. 

I've been in the US since 1994. I've been a US citizen since 2000. There are some things I do not like about American values and lifestyle: obsession with sports, obsession with wealth, Disney, fast food, awful bread, awful produce that has no flavor - strawberries, I'm looking at  you!

There are some things I love about the US: accessibility, opportunities, freedom to express ideas, freedom to pursue your passion, diversity, medical care (not talking about the cost, just the quality and what's available), dental care (again, just talking about quality and what's available), opportunities for scientific research in academia, toilet paper in public bathrooms, soap (or hand sanitizer) in public bathrooms, well-maintained parks.

Accessibility in the US is amazing. Buildings have elevators. There are access ramps. Public transportation is accessible to wheelchairs. Crosswalk signals have voice-over. We take these things for granted. If you have a couple of hours - read White on Black by Ruben Gallego. It's short. 

Soon after we moved into our current home, I went shopping at a nearby produce market with 3 very young kids. When I pulled into the parking lot, I saw a minivan parked diagonally across multiple parking spots. My initial thought - "what a jerk!" As I was getting the kids out of the car seats and strapping the youngest one to myself (the good old days of Ergobaby), I saw one of the doors of the minivan slide open. I wanted to see who had the nerve to take up 3 spots, so I stood there to gawk. 

Like I said - the minivan door slid open. A ramp slid down. All automatic, with no person in sight. Then, there was a lady half-reclined in a motorized wheelchair, zooming out of the store, groceries in the basket of her chair. I barely had time to register the whole thing - but it looked like she only was able to use one of her hands. She zoomed - there is no other way to describe it - through the parking lot, and up the ramp. A minute later, the minivan pulled out and drove away.

I stood there and felt so happy. 

My initial annoyance turned to understanding - she needed to park that way, or there would not have been enough room for the ramp.

Most of us are happy to help someone in a wheelchair, or with limited eyesight, or anyone who clearly needs a bit of extra help to make it in the world that's often not designed to meet their needs.

But oh boy, was I happy to see that lady needing absolutely no help whatsoever. In fact, I suspect if I was  to offer my assistance, under those circumstances, I would have been run over.

Yes, we all need some help sometimes, and yes, it is important to be able to ask for help and receive it. But most of us value our independence, our ability to get things done, our autonomy.

Food for thought: If our current administration dismantles diversity, inclusivity, etc - what's going to happen to accessibility? What's going to happen to the right to human dignity?