Jill’s Jottings – Washington DC (Part-A)

We are staying in a University for deaf/partial hearing students. Interesting, as I do not understand sign language. So far we’ve learnt words like ‘thank-you’ and ‘you are welcome’ and carry a pen and paper for other inquiries. My room’s door ‘bell’ flashes a strobe red light in the room, no sound. Also the bedside clock has huge numbers so I don’t need glasses to read it.

I am in a disabled room which is well fitted out, and many doors slide open or have wheel chair push buttons. Unfortunately for Mary-ann the terrain is very hilly. All shuttle busses are fitted with wheelchair ramps and run to the local underground Union metro station. The metro is w/chair accessible, but has a 4 inch gap b/w platform and train w/chair entrance which is of concern as my front w/chair wheels are only 1.25 inches wide and can easily slip b/w.

My afternoon was quite an adventure; I headed off on the shuttle and was dropped at the Museum of Natural History, “downtown”. Wandered along footpaths for a while, but due to building works did not get far. Looked through the Natural History Museum which was very interesting and well laid out. Time came to ring the driver to return, so I found a phone, and someone to explain its use. The driver said he’d pick me up in 20 minutes. After waiting 40 minutes and time getting late I headed to the closest metro station and with help purchased my first metro ticket. Trains ran about every 10-15 mins so before long I was at Union Station. Took me 20 minutes to locate the University shuttle bus stop as Union Station has at 3 different street access levels. In fact the station is enormous with numerous retail outlets, eating places, a post office, souvenir shops, etc., and is very like a substantial shopping complex. By now it was 7pm, but still light, as I sat in a back street on my own. Luckily after 15 minutes a few sign language students started gathering. Phew - at least I had the correct bus stop. At 7.45pm the shuttle arrived and I knocked on Mary-ann’s door at 8pm! This was followed by a good meal at a new eating place Mary-ann had found on campus, since the other restaurant closed 7pm.

Sunday we caught the shuttle to Union Station, and then bought tickets for the sightseeing bus that has a 2 hr touring circuit and 25 stops to get off/on from over a 2 day period. All the circuit buses lowered the floor and extended a ramp, all Soooo easy. Had a 45 minute boat trip which was not accessible but OK for me to walk on & they carried my chair on. Mary-ann & I had different sights to see for the afternoon so hopped off the tour bus at different spots. I looked around the American Indian Museum and again found it well laid out for w/chairs and information. Back to the University via the tour bus & shuttle service, this time reached Mary-ann by 7pm, so am getting more proficient. I am becoming more confident travelling in a wheelchair, but have to keep resting my shoulders to avoid neck pain.

Monday morning was a bit of a worry. As I was getting out of the bath, the fire alarms went off , while drying myself I heard loud speakers saying to exit the building. As I was dressing I heard a knock on the door, but when I reached it (having to transfer to my chair and still in underwear) found the corridor empty, but also smoke/fire free. By the time I finished dressing (10 mins after first alert), the show was over and Mary-ann arrived to see how I was.

Am spending the morning typing my jottings and now off to join Mary-ann at Union Station to then catch a taxi for lunch with the local Post Polio Support group. More on Washington jottings later.

Jill Pickering