Have you ever wondered what it would be like, going to a restaurant and eating out with a disability? Will people stare at you, help you, make fun of you, pull a chair out for you, etc?
I just pulled up to Cracker Barrel in Ocala Florida and got to the door. It was so heavy that when I went to open it I barely got it open. (Did you know doors have to be a certain weight according to Americans With Disabilities Act? Otherwise they are in violation of the ADA.)
I got in the door and went through the store to the restaurant. The hostess seated my friend and I. She politely pulled out the chair so I could sit at the table in my wheelchair.
The waitress came up and took both of our orders. She took my friends order and then rather than ask my friend what I wanted, like restaurants do for some reason. Rather she turned straight to me and asked me what I wanted to eat.
We finished eating, paid and then left.
I was treated so nice and normal. I don’t know what your experience will be but please go out, then come back respond with your experience, on this blog.
Squeak, squeak, squeak!
Eating Out With A Disability
Category: Being Disabled, Disabilities, Growing Up Disabled, Living With A Disability
| Tags: accessability, dining out, disability, disabled, wheelchair
We actually went to Cracker Barrel yesterday in Fort Myers. There was a group of us with 4 service dogs. All the service dogs went under the table and laid at our feet. The waitress made sure the table was big enough and offered to remove chairs to give the dogs more room. We were certainly stared at, but most of the comments from people eating were how cute and well behaved they were. I also appreciated that the waitress did not rush my son when he placed his order and answered his questions.
One of my best friends Has been in a wheelchair since an auto accident @17. She is now 50. We have been friends for 15 years from the first day we met. She was married,had 2 children (now grown)and she is a grandmother. She has always been on disability. I was in total amazement of this woman who NEVER let show that she was ‘disabled’. I had never really been close to anyone with a disability that really effected someones life before. As fate would have it, Time had passed and our paths crossed up close again and we became room mates. Never assume anything about people till you LIVE with them. My entire outlook on people with disabilities has changed. The changes I made to help acommidate her needs was unbelievable.(NOT MADE TO! I WANTED TO!!! ) People are so very close-minded. Everything from the entrance of my home to little carpets on the kitchen and bathroom floors was an obstacle. The thermostat, the plates in the cabinets, the top on the washer. Every single thing we take for granted everyday was a change for her.(me to through her eyes). But, the one thing that really made me stop and think was a vacation my family takes every year to the beach. New Smyrna Beach,FL. She came with me for a few days. There was a ramp to get down to the ocean, But the sand was so thick ,it was impossible to get her chair through it. So we loaded up in my lil truck and Drove down to the water. Again, the tires on her wheelchair were to thin and they sank in the wet sand. DETERMINDED as I was, that we were going on a beach walk….. We drove down to the Lifeguard’s Office and Asked if they had any Ideas … Low and behold , and much to my astonishment, they had a Chair. Not just any chair, A PVC plastic pipe and big Balloon tires Chair!!!! Water proof and unsinkable and un STUCKable!!!!!! We signed it out (FREE of CHARGE) for the next couple days. I will never forget that day we walked 5 miles or more and I would stop and pick up shells she wanted and then I took her (in the Big chair) OUT in the waves!!!!!! We had a blast. She later cried to me and told me it was the best time she had ever had at the ocean!!!! She had been several but Miserable times before. She could only just sit because of the wheel chair tires and then the metal parts could not get wet because of the salt water. Imagine, only being able to sit in one spot at the beach for the entire day. Watching everyone else run and play and swim and ,you get the idea. Sometimes just the SMALLEST things we take for granted everyday can really be HELL on someone with a disability. If people just would stop and put themselves in a wheelchair for a day, an HOUR…..You can see how something so small can be something huge for a disabled person. That was the most heartfelt thank you I have ever received,and the thing about it? It really was no BIG DEAL!!!!! So, Imagine you could make someone so happy with the smallest jester. One thing I have learned from my friend is: The last thing a disabled person wants is to be made to FEEL disabled. And to be treated like everyone else. They don’t want to feel like they are putting any one out. So it is usually easier for them to just not say anything. We both laugh when we go shopping and I get out of the car and start walking like she is right there with me and for that split second she knows I do not see her as disabled. Then I turn around and go get her chair and help her out of the car. I love my friend and would do anything for her. She does not feel sorry for herself or expect anyone to to anything for her. She does everything as if she was no different than you or I. But sometimes people need to be just a little more pro active to help out, WITH OUT all the Fanfare of Helping out. You Know what I mean? Thanks for letting me post this.Just another day in the life. We ALL have the power to change even the smallest things that mean so VERY MUCH.