Living on Crutches

I'm not sure how many of you beautiful readers are aware, but I am in a Illarov Frame. I had an accident back in December which turned my life upside down. If you would like to read about it, I have a separate blog here: http://externalfixatordays.blogspot.co.uk/ (Warning, might be a tad graphic).

This is how I make my cage look a tad more friendly

When my accident happened, I lived in Sheffield with my fiance and my friends but since the accident, I've had to move back to my other home in Wales so that my parents could look after me. As I rely heavily on crutches to get around, I don't get out much apart from the odd trip to the local shops and Physiotherapy/Hydro pool therapy.

As I had a hospital appointment in Sheffield, my parents suggested I could go up by train a few days early to see my fiance and my friends and I could even catch the last hockey game of the season. I'm going stark crazy being left in the house all day so I jumped at the opportunity to have some sort of independence. Trains booked and bags packed, I left home and made my way to Sheffield.

My first problem arose when we arrived at Bristol Parkway Station as the lift was out of order. Luckily, I can weight bare and slowly made my way up the three flights of stairs. We got to the top and I had a lovely hot chocolate before wanting to use the toilet. My father went to the guard to collect the disabled key when he was told "The disabled key got stolen, you'll have to get the replacement key from Bristol Council". My dad pointed out two problems with the guard's response; one, Bristol Council was god knows how many miles away and two, it was a Bank Holiday and the council would be shut. The other option was for me to go back down the stairs to use the ladies down there. Luckily for me, someone manged to magic up a key for the disabled toilets.

Drama over with, right? Wrong.

I'd booked my seats in advanced as crutches take up room and my leg needs to be stretched out. When I got on the train, I was told that reservations were not working and that there were only four carriages. This meant that I'd lost the seats I'd booked and was now perched on the edge of a seat only for my leg to be hit by every passing traveler. I told the ticket man that I needed to be moved and he just shrugged and told me nothing could be done. I also asked if I could have assistance to get off the train as I had my crutches and my bags for him to reply, "You have to book assistance in advanced. No one can help you". It took everything I had not to cry.

Eventually, at Birmingham, another four carriages were added meaning I could move and luckily, my fiance could meet me at the platform to help me get off.


Everything in Sheffield was going well except for one day. I knew it was going to be one of 'those' days when I got on the tram and no one offered me a seat leaving me to stand on crutches for twenty minutes. While I was upset and in pain, I was looking forward to shopping in Meadowhall so let it blow over.

I arrived at the MAC counter in Debenhams to find it slightly busy and perched myself at the foundation desk to wait for someone to assist me. I waited for thirty minutes, asked twice and saw five people who arrived after me get served before me.  It wasn't until I was leaving that an assistant stopped to talk to me. I was annoyed to say the least.

After Meadowhall, I came back into Sheffield city center to go to the Primark there. I managed to get around fine but I'd never knew how annoying the baskets are! The round baskets are so difficult for someone on crutches to use and continuously kept swinging against me and putting the balance of my crutches off. I found a few items and hobbled on over to the changing rooms to try them on. The assistant took my items and handed them to me. I struggled to take them and as I'd chosen a few maxi skirts, they dragged across the floor as I was unable to carry and use my crutches at the same time. I asked for help to take my items to the changing room but the girl ignored me and continued talking to her friend at the desk. I was left to go it alone.

I later paid for my items at Primark and went on over to Topshop, except I couldn't get in to Topshop. The Sheffield version has an escalator up into the shop, something which is impossible for me as they move too quickly for me to get on and off. I was really disappointed.

Ever since I had my accident, it's really opened my eyes up to how people and shops treat those who are disabled. Toilets are normally dirty and difficult to open, shops have rails and displayed fitted tightly together, staff ignore your needs and stare and people are clumsy and rude.

Of course, I have been in shops which have really helped me out and some people will offer to help if I'm struggling with something so I can't tarnish everyone with the same brush.

I will be able to walk normally again in about two months but some people are on crutches or in wheelchairs for life and I just hope that services will improve to be more disability friendly.



Thanks for reading through all this, normal blogging will resume when I'm feeling a little bit better.