Access for the disabled is a difficult thing when you are going to a new place that you have not been to before where you may have to go through a side or back door to gain access to the place you wish to frequent. Whether this place be a theater or a local bar it is difficult in my opinion to stay part of the group if you are always having to investigate how to gain access to the building.

There are ways around this such as alerting the establishment that you wish to go their and phoning to find out about what the disabled facility's are like. This is great if you are like me and find it hard going out for long periods of time and need the bathroom which most places offer a bathroom key purely for disabled customers which will obtained by asking at the counter or bar.

Access for disabled people does not just end with places such as shops and bars it is also an issue in my experience getting a cab because a regular cab can not take a unfold-able chair so you have to get transport to fit your needs.

Most cab services offer a disabled option if you will where the cab has a slide out ramp which comes out of the floor of the cab itself which I find very useful and avoids having to get out of your chair and clamber in lifting each leg separately. This can take time and if you are quite weak in your legs this is very draining and in my experience embarrassing if you fall but this is all a part of coming to terms with disability and gaining knowledge on what is available to help.

It is very difficult to get used to something once insignificant like a step being a hurdle. Me having a rare form of muscular dystrophy which affects all my limbs has made it increasingly difficult to do things which I once did not think about like steps. I do not personally have the strength in my arms to push up a step in my chair which is a big inconvenience when leaving the house. I have to get help leaving the house which I find deters me from doing so.

My point to this being it is not just out and about outside but at home as well and it is up to me to accept the help on offer to me and those around me because after all disability does not just affect those who suffer from the condition ailment or injury it is the family and friends as well so what ever can help you gain better quality of life can also help your loved ones.