Seeing things from a wheel chair
Wednesday, September 28, 2011

After my knee micro-fracture operation on August 10th, I experienced what life was like for someone who needs the wheelchair or crutches.  My conclusion is that Singapore, my beloved country is not so handicapped or elderly friendly after all and that our people are not very considerate.

The first two weeks after the operation were probably the worst in my life.  Crying secretly in the toilet, I could feel myself slipping into a very depressive state of mind.  Simple things I took for granted like going to the toilet and showering was a tedious exercise that left me sore and frustrated. I would try to hold my bladder so that I did not need to make my journey to the toilet as often.  Enjoying afternoon tea with the other TaiTai's and shopping were out of the question. Most of my time was spent lying in bed reading or sitting up watching television and ending up feeling aches and sore all over my body. Walking was painful, but so was sitting and lying around.  My Cervical Disk Replacement Operation which was a major operation 2 years ago, had a much more easier post-op recovery period.  I was going about my daily activities a few days after surgery and driving around by the third or fourth week.

Thankfully for GOD and His words, I was able to keep myself sane and not slip into depression these past few weeks.

Back to the point that Singapore is not handicap friendly enough.  During the first 2 weeks post-op, my hubby and children brought me out using a wheelchair when necessary.  It was during these outings that I was able to see the world from a wheelchair.  What we took for granted daily is really very daunting for those who need to get around in a wheelchair or crutches. I cannot complain because I will be able to walk without aid in a few more weeks, but I am sharing my point of view from a wheelchair.

For a start, although there is a ramp from the carpark to the void deck, it is not sheltered from rain.  The nearest drop off point with a shelter is the next block and you really cannot complain if you are able to walk.  However, in a wheel-chair, it becomes a nightmare because the blocks are joint by a flight of stairs with no ramp. So what if every floor is accessible by elevators; getting into your own block is a challenge most of the time.

The many curbs and drops on pavements and walkways, motorcycles parked along pedestrains walkways and void decks, prayer offerings in the middle of a walkway all add up to just making it even more miserable for wheelchair users.

In the US, supermakets have motorised wheelchair that looks like a motor scooter with a shopping basket in front, allowing the less mobile or elderly shoppers to pick up their own groceries. Here, I have been depending on my husband to do the groceries shopping on a weekly basis for the past 6 weeks. I tried going to the supermarket on my own, now that I am on crutches, but realised that I cannot push a shopping trolley nor carry a shopping basket and use my crutches at the same time.

We boast of being a first class city and offering first class public transport and housing and to our citizens but I don't think this first class feeling applies to the less mobile elderly and the handicapped.  These 6 weeks have made me realised that there is a lot of room for improvement to make Singapore more condusive for the elderly and handicapped. Now, I think I can truly understand why some elderly people choose to stay at home rather then go out even if they are bored.