Happy Anniversary!

While some people celebrate wedding anniversaries or birth anniversaries, I seem to celebrate a different kind (in addition to the norm). March 26, 1986. It was 28 years ago, but yet I can remember the day like it was yesterday.

It was a Wednesday, just like today, and I was home from school for the week for Easter week. I got on my 10 speed and set off for a long ride up the San Gabriel River bike trail starting at my apartment in Seal Beach, Ca.

Towards the end of my 20 mile ride, I (like other young kids at the time) felt it necessary to get my bike registered in case it got stolen. I stopped at the police station and they said they didn't handle that, but try town hall or the fire department. Town hall didn't either and so I trekked across the street to the fire house. They registered bikes, but only on Saturdays.

This was too bad because my bike was destroyed not 2 minutes after I left. I, carelessly, pulled out from between two parked cars and rode my bike headlong into an oncoming Volkswagen Rabbit/Golf.

On this day, 28 years ago, I broke my neck and became an incomplete quadriplegic. Since then, I have become a completely different (better in my mind) person and have had many experiences that I will remember forever (some bad, most wonderful).

Needless to say, I got back on a bike and have had fun both on and off the bicycle seat. As I have aged, I find myself using 3 wheels instead of 2, but not all the time. I am ok with that as I have really enjoyed the past 28 years. And now that I have the Trekinetic K2, it has reopened all the roads I found closing up.

More snow and the mall...

So another snow day and a trip to the mall...

There was more snow on the ground than expected. Yes, we just had a foot on Tuesday, but that was cleared away. It was currently snowing and there was about an inch plus of snow and dirty, salty, sandy snow. Needless to say, I had no trouble getting through the parking lot or up the snow covered wheelchair ramp.

My main gripe, however, was almost all the stores I wanted to go into. Major fail. I mean, I know my wheelchair is wide, but c'mon. It's not that hard to organize your store better.

My first obstacle was Zumiez. There was a wire basket down low on a rack that was in my way preventing me from going further into the store. On the other side, there was a table that was too close to a column keeping me from going that way. I turned around and went out.

Next, I went into American Eagle Outfitters. Again, it was a display table that was too far into the aisle.

PacSun, I just went in and then turned right back around again.

Now, I was with one of my children so I didn't make a stink. I wonder what would've happened if I had opened my mouth...

Maybe next time I'll "stand up" for my rights.