Update on Sidewalks Are Disabling- Running with HSP
About a year ago, I wrote a blog about the importance of accessible sidewalks for wheelchair users. Now, I am experiencing sidewalk inaccessibility differently as a disabled runner. This week, I want to revisit the importance of maintaining accessible sidewalks.
I run about 3 times a week: one long run and two shorter runs. I am usually outside because I feel like a hamster on a treadmill, so I run on the sidewalk in my town pretty frequently. Now that I am outside much more often, I have become more aware of how inaccessible the sidewalks are around me. As a recap, examples of sidewalk hazards can include uneven sidewalks, unmaintained curbs, and other unmaintained elements of a sidewalk that impact a person's ability to walk on the sidewalk safely (Leiter, 2015). When I run, I notice bumpy sidewalks and uneven sidewalks. One of my symptoms of HSP is that when I start to get tired, I struggle to pick my feet up as high as I would without tired muscles. On an even, clean paved sidewalk, this would not be noticeable. However, on uneven sidewalks, I have tripped many times. When I'm lucky, I just stumble and continue on my way. When I am unlucky, I fall. (If you have seen me fall while out running, let's pretend you didn't because I feel embarrassed). I have many running bruises from falling on uneven sidewalks and even on grates like the one in the main image of this blog. I am doing a lot of work in physical therapy to avoid running injuries, and certainly did not factor in inaccessible sidewalks into my treatment plan.
If I'm having issues, that means it is also inaccessible for people in wheelchairs or strollers. Now, I could run on the asphalt in the bike lane to avoid the uneven sidewalk, but that isn't safe. I could run on a treadmill, but that doesn't prepare me for running outside for my half marathon in February. As a citizen of my town, I feel like I deserve to access the features, like sidewalks, like everyone else. Disability is often nuanced- I can run but struggle to lift my feet and I can walk but struggle to stand for long periods of time. While I probably don't appear disabled when I'm out running, I am making note of the accessibility of the trails I run on whenever I pick a route.
If, like me, you want to know what to do besides complain (I love a good rant, but I also like an action item), there are steps you can take. First, you can report the inaccessibility to your local public works department. You can also call the local maintenance hotline if you, unlike me, actually enjoy talking on the phone. Lastly, you can go in person to your local city hall to file a request. Some of these suggestions might vary by town, but these are places to start. Hopefully, with community support, we can start to see more accessible sidewalks for everyone who uses them.
Thank you for reading about my update on the accessibility of sidewalks. If you have any questions or comments, please comment on the blog, reach out at @Anniekrollblog on Instagram or Facebook, or email me at Anniekrollblog@gmail.com. I hope to see you next week!
Citation: Leiter, V. (2015). A bricolage of urban sidewalks: Observing locations of inequality. 13-28.
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