The Invisible

2010-01-12T07:12:00.000-08:00

I'm sure I did at one time. I'm sure I overlooked them, ignored them, was too busy talking to someone or on my cel talking to notice....or worse yet pretended to be busy so I didn't have to notice.

I am talking about the handicapped; whether they are using a walker, walking with a noticeable limp, or in a wheelchair. It's been three years since I began taking care of mom full time and seven years since she became mostly wheelchair bound, dependent on someone else pushing her around in one. When we became full-time caregivers, my youngest was a little over two years old. Hardly able to push open doors and requiring help himself to cross a parking lot and be taught to watch for cars, people carts, etc. I taught him very quickly to hold grandma's hand while I pushed her. The longer I continue to care for her, the more frustrated I become. Now before you become shocked at that, let me say that the source of my frustration does not come from her. It comes from the people I come in contact with and the lack of kindness given.

Who would have guessed that my major source of frustration would come from something as simple as a door. But let's face it, when you are pushing a wheelchair and then have to open the door, hold it open, and push the wheelchair through without pinching your fingers or running over your toes, it is no small task. The most frustrating are the people who watch me struggle with the door without bothering to help. I've had people stand behind me and watch me struggle with the door and are mad because they have to wait for me. I've had employees stand on the inside smiling at me as I struggle to get in. I've had businessmen rush through the door in front of us as I am holding the door and pushing mom in.

Now, not everyone is like this. I've had many who have walked out of their way to help me out. I had an African-American man push my full shopping cart to the car for me while I pushed mom. I had a fireman walk away from a conversation in the parking lot to hold the door for me. But it doesn't happen very often. The worst of the bunch are middle-aged businessmen and young women.

I am convinced this was my lesson to be learned for the times I may have done it to someone else. Everyone should spend a day in a wheelchair, see what it's like to be invisible.

About Me

2010-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! My name is Kelli. I have been married for almost 13 years to Rod. We have 3 beautiful children: Kaitlin - age 9, Renae - age 7, and Ryan - age 5. I worked for 10 years at Herman Miller before the economy caused me to lose my job. I now am a stay-at-home mom.

Ryan is in development kindergarden. My hope was that when he started full-time school, I could find a part-time job to supplement my husband's income. However, turn of events changed that. Almost 3 years ago, my beloved father passed away. Mom is confined to a walker around the house and outside the house she needs to be in her wheelchair. She has a stroke 7 years ago which left her left side with only partial use. So, between my siblings, husband and I it was agreed that we would sell our house and move in with her. So along with being a stay-at-home mom I am a caregiver to my handicapped mom.

We live in a rural area in west Michigan. We have about 2 -1/2 acres. I enjoy my garden and it seems to get larger every year. Along with gardening I enjoy cooking, reading, crafts, spending time with family and traveling. I also lead a teen moms ministry.

Most of my blogs will include items about teen moms, the handicapped, cooking, crafts and the trials and tribulations of being a mom. I hope you come to enjoy my blogs and will feel free to comment on anything you find of interest.

Life in Sitka

The Invisible

About Me