Last April 21 I had lunch at a restaurant in downtown Belfast. I should add
that I have been an electric wheelchair user for many years.
I had a pleasant lunch with a friend and it was a lovely warm sunny day. We
separated afterwards and my friend returned to her office. I set off for my
flat in Wellington Park.
Imagine my horror when the footplate on my chair collapsed. I found it
almost impossible to stay on the ramped footpaths and the chair was making a
noise similar to a car which has dropped its exhaust.
A few people offered help, including one man who phoned a taxi, but this was
no good because of the nature of damage to the footplate.
I decided there was only one thing to do and that was to keep going until I
reached Queen's University Students' Union.
A few hundred yards before the union I met Andy (19), and his girlfriend
Marie (17), who offered to help.
Andy is a car mechanic and he kindly pushed me up a lot of footpath ramps
with the wheelchair in gear, which was not easy.
As we reached the Students' Union I had become very thirsty (I am diabetic)
and Andy got me a bottle of water which he refused to let me pay for.
After a further 30 minutes we made it successfully to my flat.
The reason I have written this letter is to say that, in this ever
increasingly selfish world, it was a pleasant surprise to meet such a
selfless pair of kids. Without them I do not see how I could have made it
home. These days, when so many young people get a bad Press, I was reminded
of The Who's Sixties hit, The Kids are Alright. Thanks Andy and Marie.
Hi: 17°C / Lw: 13°C
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