Time to reflect on another year having gone by! Mostly on wheels and sometimes on sticks.
Like many disabled people I’m now giving up thoughts of rehabilitation – ie making progress from where I am – to think more about maintenance. That means basically staying where I am and not deteriorating. And that takes work and wheels!
I still want to do what everyone else can do so I have to make sure my old bones are as good as they can be and the wheels are working on all my mobility devices. I have two small mobility scooters because having a spare is now vital in case of breakdowns, or to lend to friends who need to try out wheels, a manual wheelchair that is only of use indoors as our pavements are too steep, complicated and broken and my arms are too weak to wheel myself far, various wheeled walking frames, and wheeled trolley thing I thought I could use and can’t….
Here’s my year on wheels:
February on holiday Tenerife I hired a big scooter to deal with long flat accessible seafronts in the busy south but I also discovered the mountainous north coast of the island where steep mountains hit the coast and the Atlantic roars. The scooter and me got there in an accessible taxi with a ramp and helpful driver. Where are they in Thanet? Thin on the ground!
And you need a fairly substantial engine to get you up steep slopes from that wild coast.
In June I found a new love of my life – the Tramper scooter! Similar to the big beast I hired in Tenerife but much more willing to tackle off road paths and rough ground.
Trampers can do footpaths, grass and farm tracks that my little scooter would weep to look at. A brave friend hired a car and three of us drove to the Lake District. Paul, the driver, lives in Amsterdam so hills are a real phenomenon – and scary! Hence the bravery, and occasional panicking …..
In 1984 my partner Norman and I went walking in the Lake District, staying in remote inns and hostels. Some of those rundown ancient inns have had makeovers and can now welcome disabled visitors! So we decided to recreate that walking experience on wheels. I can’t get the scooter up Scafell Pike but I can scoot to the bottom of it – and be grateful I don’t have to get to the top.
A real hiking enthusiast would really disapprove of the number of people trying to climb the Lakeland fells but for me it means a visitor centre, a cafe and – joy of joys – an accessible toilet! 40 years ago a tree would have sufficed and a big stone to sit on to eat our sandwiches. But now it’s fantastic that people as disabled as I am can get anywhere at all in that challenging landscape.
The highlight of the trip was going to several National Trust sites where Tramper scooters could be borrowed. They’re chunky and sturdy and will mostly go anywhere hiking boots will go, so Norman and Paul could get a good walk and I could keep pace. Even rain doesn’t bother them. I had to climb inside a kind of nylon tent when it rained – it’s the Lake District, highest rain fall in the UK so of course it’s going to rain! And you need two helpers to get you inside it. Unfortunately you look so ridiculous your helpers are helpless with laughing for the rest of the trip…
But I went through forests, along rivers and lakes and through beautiful mountain passes – on wheels!
The most difficult thing is going back to your flimsy little scooter and wondering how to persuade somewhere in Thanet to loan trampers to visitors. Quex would be ideal.
It’s not easy being unable to walk but with the right infrastructure and the right equipment we can all enjoy our environment equally.
Who would have thought that technology could have provided something so amazing it could enable me to do something I’d given up on? And not just as toys for the spoiled rich kids – like e-scooters – but provided as part of the tourist offer for our most beautiful areas.
Who’s up for a tramp on a tramper?
Smashing, Great you’re getting to do so much that you want to do. Thanks for the update x
Bravo Christine,still getting about wherever you can
“spoiled rich kids” almost every article involves an attack on someone, industry or profession. Christine projects a negative impression of disabled people, she feeds into the detractors who criticize the disabled community (wrongly). As someone who is disabled (with a blue badge and works full-time) Christine’s narrative on her experiences totally embarrasses me and I feel that her behaviours, unfortunately reflect on the rest of the disabled community. When people I engaged with from the disabled community are broadly positive in their approach to life and not full of criticism of everyone and anyone who doesn’t do what they would like! It’s really simple Christine stay at home and give the world peace.
World peace is a very worthy aim but in my experience you have to get out on the streets with placards and drums to show how you feel – not stay at home. So I might not be following your advice- well meant as I’m sure it is….
A pensioner having holidays in Tenerife and the Lake District while “campaigning” for the poor?
While the rich kids have e scooters ….
Gerard – very well constructed article regarding Mrs Tongue. My wife is disabled and has been for many years. Now recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. You never hear her moan and groan like this lady does. We stand on our own two feet and are positive every day. As for this lady banging drums and squawking loudly, she does herself and disabled no favours!
“spoiled rich kids” sent you into such a tizzy? Wisen up – we have more food banks than Maccers in the UK now and “spoiled rich kids” is the lightest possible way of describing colloquially serial tax evaders like Coca-Cola who collectively fill up our oceans with plastic more than any other company! Those who would claim to be a part of the disability community but resent poking at the giant of corporate-funded eugenicism we all live under are “damaging the broader community” infinitely more that Christine, particularly with this article as is clear for everyone to see. You embarrass yourselves, truly – Gerard Peter, B to a lesser degree. G’wan Christine! You enjoy yourself on ya wheels on those mountain trails! X
I have a hidden disability, that limits what I can do. Never just assume…
Tramper scooters are available im lots of places and have been for years, Im surprised that somebody that claims to be a disability rights campaigner has only just discovered them. Mind you if she spent a little less time complainimg and moaning about everything …
I agree with the comments made by Gerard, this woman is depressing to listen to and gives disabled people a bad name.
She needs to learn constructive critism,
Thank you for reading in spite of your obvious discomfort
Nice reply Christine. Glad you are getting out and about and you are correct to call out obstacles to disability where you see them.
All these heroic disabled types on here who never ‘moan’ about anything but are wuite happy to pop up in here and have a dig…
So an article should go unchallenged, simply because it is written by someone disabled? Not sure if that is discriminatory, patronising, or both!
Thanks for understanding!
You’re welcome.
Dogbiter – we are realistic enjoy life as best we can without becoming a bore! Even with terminal cancer, my wife is cheerful and we are very grateful for still being able to get out and about without making issues!
We all need to make every day count… and if we spread a little joy along the way (a compliment to a stranger, a generous tip to a waitress, an act of kindness), then that day has been worthwhile. Glad your wife maintains her optimism, even under such trying circumstances.
Erm no. But what exactly are you and your kind challenging, apart from your your own mental health?
Brilliant! Discriminating, patronising? Pot kettle.
There appears to be more of a personal ‘challenge’ to Christine herself rather than the actual content of her article.
“You and your kind” had me worried there for a moment haha. Spot on! Shocked that the website allows SOME of these comments. Capitals to pre-empt some idiotic “free speech” rebuttle – you (the kind mentioned, not you dogbiter <3)'re attacking a fellow disabled person putting her face, thoughts and travels out into the world because of what? a 3word quote in an article of over 700 words? Shame on you and your loved ones are embarrassed for you.
What am I challenging? The fact that she’s so bitter about other people, and her complete lack of empathy (i.e. mothers struggling onto buses with young children and prams). Also, she never campaigns on local disability issues (toilets closed in winter, broken lifts to beaches) unless it affects her personally. Additionally, she’s too biased politically to see objectively. Someone who’s done a lot of campaigning on behalf of the disabled is Sir Roger Gale, but Christine would rather bang on about Palestine (whilst ignoring growing anti-Semitism everywhere) than admit that.
Peter – I totally agree with your sentiments expressed in this post. My wife and I just get on with our lives without shouting and squawking about disabilities etc and jumping on political bandwagons over the years. . Mrs Tongue should be grateful she lives in UK and not Africa. My working life in war torn countries, especially Africa/Sudan, taught me to value our life in UK!
Dogbiter – what a clown you are!
🤣
Shalom to all.
The monthly Christine moan. She’s always shooting herself the foot by demanding pity.