www.StayInPlace.org
DAASE
  • Welcome
  • News & Views
  • About
    • Mission + Vision
    • Code Of Ethics
    • Basics
    • Leadership
    • Need More Info?
  • Hire A DAASE Member
  • Welcome New Members
  • For Members Only
  • Big Picture Ideas

Life Is About The Choices We Make

8/29/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
I’ve been thinking over the past several weeks about the choices we make and how our choices can affect our lives over a period of time.

I recently had the opportunity to interview a baby boomer who was using a wheel chair at a public event.  As an interior designer interested in baby boomers and aging in place, I was anxious to gain the insight he had to offer me based on his personal experience. 

He told me that he can get up out of his chair and has limited mobility, but with tremendous pain.  He first began using a cane, and then went to a walker.  He decided to quit the use of a walker when he realized that his comfort was worth more than what other people thought; that his comfort was worth more than his own vanity. 

I asked him how it was to be in a public space using a wheel chair and he said it’s great.  People are actually nicer to him and more helpful to him since he began using the wheel chair over the cane.  In fact, he said he and his wife just returned from a plane trip to Dollywood where everyone was very helpful and each place they visited had a wheel chair for him to use and each place was easily accessible.

I marveled at this man’s choices.  In fact, he inspired me to continue to keep active, to continue to age well and to make positive choices for my future.  

What choices will you make for your own future?

~ Cheryl Urrutia, Allied ASID
Treasurer / The Design Alliance For Accessible Sustainable Environments

2 Comments
Brenda B
8/29/2013 12:06:52 pm

Cheryl... wonderful post. I was told by someone that 50% of who we become is from the choices made in life. Thank you for this. I enjoyed reading it. I know I am choosing to stay in place.

-Brenda

Reply
John Taylor James
8/29/2013 12:21:34 pm

It's great to hear about your connection and conversation. As one who is disabled, I understand the man's point of view. Sometimes, in my own home, I forget that I must have my walker to cross the room but it is there, I need it and it is just a part of me now. I could choose to crawl but so much better to have the tools that keep me independent. I choose to remain at home so I have grab bars here and there. Don't like the way they look but I'd rather have them than be falling. It is a choice.

And when I choose to go out, I always look for places to shop and eat that welcomes me in my condition. And just because of the ADA doesn't mean that places can easily accommodate me. So I choose to spend my money where I am appreciated. I expect no extra favors, no cutting in line, just companies that provide me access.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    About DAASE

    We are a passionate group of people who believe that staying in place, in a home of one's own choosing is the best place to be.

    Archives

    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All
    Aging In Place
    StayInPlace.org
    Sustainable Design
    Universal Design

    RSS Feed

www.StayInPlace.org
© 2017 Design Alliance For Accessible Sustainable Environments
Visit Us On Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/StayInPlace/