Time for a quick rant - all justified if you don't mind...
Here are some of the things in life which I consider to be my own nemesis:
Gravel.
In any form.
I don't care how pretty and convenient and cheap it is.
It moves. Under all 4 of my feet. Particularly my crutches. And it gets stuck in the 'feet' of the crutches and the minute I'm back on a flat surface the sticking out bits of gravel make me slide and skid - and risk ending up on my back with all 4 legs spread about... And that's just rude. So please, people, bag up your gravel paths, driveways and other foot-fall byways, and get a proper floor covering.
And whilst we're on the subject of unhelpful and potentially dangerous flooring -
Marble.
I mean, why?
Firstly, it looks slippery. And for those of us with a dubious sense of balance and co-ordination, the appearance of a slippery surface is enough in itself to make us seek out a big detour.
Second, it gets slippery to easily, and there's nothing to absorb any liquid spilt/walked onto it. So now it looks and is slippery. And I've got 4 legs (count them, 4) to potentially skid on the floor. So do me a favour, and get a carpet.
Buffet.
Everywhere I go, there's a Buffet.
Let's do the maths - plate, one hand; glass, one hand. Crutches x 2, 2 hands. So now I'm up to 4 hands. No, no, no.
And it's not humbling to say to some willing and lovely person, "I say, would you mind carrying my food please?".
No my friends - it's humiliating. I can't carry my own food, or drink.
I can't stand around with said food and drink chatting lightly about this and that. I apparently need to trail around after you like a small child with you deciding what and how much I should eat. Having stood awkwardly in a queue for the privilege.
Thanks, but no thanks. I'll ring for a pizza ta.
And finally - for the minute.....!
No Handrails...
Have you ever used crutches?
They're not designed to weight-bear. Legs are.
So now I've got a leg that works, and leg that should but doesn't, and 2 long poles which are ok on the flat (except for on Marble or Gravel...). And when I meet steps and stairs that have no handrails, I have to control 3 variable 'limbs' but up a sequence of trip hazards and against gravity, with no additional support?
Thanks.
The most insulting scenario is a staircase with a handrail that stops half way.... WHY? That's just sticking 2 fingers up and saying, "thus far and no further - get legs..."
