Written by Elizabeth McCormick
Less than a week after getting my new power chair, I had a day trip to New York City planned. Though it was slightly nerve-wracking because I was still adjusting to my chair, I saw it as a great opportunity to practice using new features.
I live close enough to NYC that we were able to take the Amtrak train. My chair was great at handling the sharp corners to get onto the train and fitting into the wheelchair space, even leaving some leg room for my mom who was accompanying me! Once we got into the city, I had a fun time showing off my new wheels, and even got a few compliments, especially on the color (I love the pink!).
Having iLevel came in handy on multiple occasions. We had plans to see a Broadway show, so we spent most of our time in the densely populated Times Square area. Elevation helped me see over the crowd of people and made it easier to tell where I was going. Turns out, navigation is a lot easier when you’re not looking at a bunch of people’s backs. We had brunch reservations before the show, and a high-top table was no problem for me with iLevel.
During the show, I stayed in my wheelchair and was able to adjust my seating position to ensure maximum comfort, making sure to be still respectful to those sitting around me. One of the biggest complaints about traditional seating in Broadway theaters is that it is very small and cramped – Being able to recline in a chair that fits my measurements was a huge plus!
Traveling to new and unfamiliar places can be stressful, and I was thankful accessibility features like table height were one less thing I had to worry about. With a backup camera, I had an easier time backing into elevators and could see if my group was still behind me in a large crowd. Having a power wheelchair greatly improved my life in general, but it was these small additional features that made my day in New York City the best it could be. I am looking forward to my next trip to the city because I know I’ll be able to tackle it like a pro!