Man, these are some strange times we are living in. I am going to be honest. When this all started, I was naive and thought this was going to be over quickly, and we’d be back to ‘normal’ really soon. I was mistaken. I’ve now been home for seven weeks. And normal is relative; only a setting on a washer.
I’m not a person who really thrives on staying home all that much. I love my little corner of the world because I am living independently, but I miss the hugs and fist bumps that I get when I’m out and about, visiting family and friends.
In a world not built for me, I notice how much I thrive on people saying “Hi” before they notice the reason I’m using a wheelchair. With iLevel, I’m sure people notice me at their level first, and the awesome Stanley Cup winning Blues design on my power wheelchair, second.
But now we are required to wear masks in public. Mine is a Blues design. But I started thinking, how can I greet people under a face covering, other than a wave? I’m a social person, just ask anyone who knows me.
I decided to smile bigger, so my smile can be seen beyond the mask when I walk my service dog. They say, smile and the world smiles with you. Except under a mask. How will you make someone happy today?
About Alison Chancellor: Alison is a friend of Quantum. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where she cheers on her beloved St. Louis Blues at hockey games. Click here to learn more about Alison.