top of page

Lines

Writer's picture: Annie KrollAnnie Kroll
People standing in a long line with objects such as bikes and suitcases
People standing in a long line

One of the hardest things for me to do because of my HSP (Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia) is stand in a long line. Whether I am at Target trying to check out, waiting for the bathroom at a public restroom, or even am standing in one spot for too long glancing at something while I am waiting for my boyfriend to look in the gaming section, I struggle to stand for long periods of time. I can manage sitting, because I am resting and not moving. Walking can be challenging at times, but once I get momentum I tend to be okay for a few hours. Standing, on the other hand, is the hardest thing for me to do.


Standing is so challenging for me because I am in one spot for a long period of time. I don't have the momentum from walking, but I am still using my muscles so I am relying on leg strength. I get fatigued from standing pretty easily, so without accommodations some places would not be accessible for me. I don't permanently use walking aids, so I am going to list some of the ways I accommodate myself when I don't have a cane or wheelchair. I don't want to do anything that will affect my posture, or stand in ways that go against physical therapy recommendations, so it is better to ask for help instead of possibly injuring myself. Hopefully this list can help you either accommodate yourself, or help explain why someone is doing something in a store you might not understand.

 

1. Ask for a chair. For long lines like the DMV, school events, or certain store checkouts, I will explain that I have movement disability and ask for a chair. Most workers will not ask further questions and work with me.

2. Walk in place. Standing still can be challenging, so I will try to find ways to move my legs by swaying, taking tiny steps forward and backwards, or stepping left to right. This helps to alleviate pressure on my feet, and introduce movement.

3. If I can, I shop with a buddy, most commonly my boyfriend or my mom. This way I can go sit somewhere else, and then come to the front when it is my turn to pay.

4. If stores have this option, I will use the service that allows you to have your place in line held, while you sit in the chair section. This is great when it is easy to use and accessible, but this option comes with some headaches such as me not knowing when it is my turn, not trusting workers to pay attention to the line, or possible irritated patrons who don't know you were in line. I have had issues where I was standing, and others knew how this service worked and I was stressed because I was already standing for a long time. This is a great idea but it is number 4 because it is not intuitive.

5. If the store does not have options for me to sit, and stepping from side to side is not enough, my last ditch effort is to ask patrons to save my spot in line. You can ask to cut in front, but this is not a fair ask to expect a yes to because we all have things to do and places to be. But most people are nice and are willing to hold your spot in front of them or behind them if you ask really nicely and are willing to explain why. However, asking for help from store employees is preferable because they are more inclined to help you because they are getting paid to work at the establishment. Balancing accommodations and personal responsibility is very challenging.

6. If none of these options are available, using a store mobile wheelchair is an option. This is my least prefered option because I don't always need it to navigate the whole store, only for long standing periods. On days where I struggle to walk, then I use the in store wheelchairs for my entire shopping experience. However, I try to limit this because I keep my mobility through movement.

 

Hopefully this list sheds some light on how some disabled people can navigate lines, and how many situations require thinking through selecting accommodations. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to message me in the questions tab, or reach out at @Anniekrollblog on Instagram or Facebook. Thank you for reading, and see you all next week!

0 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comentários


bottom of page