Word of the Week -Bus

This weeks word of the week is Bus.
Not a strange word, in fact I’ve caught many a bus in my lifetime. Long journeys, short journeys, single deckers, double deckers, even the odd open topped tour bus.

The reason I’ve chosen bus this week is because my experience was something new and completely different. This week I caught the bus for the first time in wheelchair.

I didn’t want to do it. I couldn’t explain why. Maybe it was the thought of being facing everyone else on the bus? Maybe I thought people would look at me, and perhaps even pity me! Not things I feel comfortable with.
I was concerned there wouldn’t be room on the bus for my chair, that it would be full of pushchairs or old people.
I was worried about getting on and off the bus. I know they have ramps for wheelchairs, but what a lot of faffle just for me. I hate creating faffle. (Is that even a word, faffle?)

I tried to get out of it, I really did. I called everyone I knew who had a car to see if they could take us but no-one could. It was an important appointment at the hospital. Not for me, but for Star. We had been waiting many months for this appointment we couldn’t miss it. I suppose Star could have gone with just her Dad, but I felt I needed to be there. I wanted to be there, I’d been waiting so long.

I picked the journey where we would only have to catch one bus. Normally, we’d pick the easier route of two (or even three) buses, but taking one bus meant a fairly long walk for Dad and Star, and Dad had to push me all the way. Just for added strain, it was pouring with rain. But I just couldn’t face getting on and off more than one bus.

We got to the bus stop. The driver jumped out to put down his ramp. A lady with a pushchair immediately moved from the wheelchair space (thankfully she had another spot to go to.) We managed to get the chair into the spot without too much hassle. My nerves dissipated and the journey was not too bad. I didn’t even feel sick, like I have done in cars since I came out of hospital. We made it safely to our destination and I decided it wasn’t so bad after all. In fact, I agreed to taking the two bus ride home so there was less walking to do.

I’m not sure it’s something I want to do often, but at least I know it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe one day I will be able to drive again, I’ve already been looking into adapted cars for those who cannot use their legs. My Other Half is taking driving lessons again so if I don’t get behind the wheel again, at least he will be able to one day.

For now, I’ll take the bus!

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