What People Don’t Always See

As you all know, being in a wheelchair has drawbacks. Some of them you have to get over and deal with and others can be really frustrating. What do we do in response to the really frustrating stuff? We put all our stories online. Today I am joining the trend. My story isn’t about any of the things you currently read about. It’s not about a plane or being mistreated. It’s about store fitting rooms. Don’t get me wrong. I like shopping as much as the next person.
However, it becomes very difficult when I have to wait 15+ minutes for the ONLY accessible fitting room because someone else who is not in a wheelchair or has any disability to begin with is taking so long to try on a bra and one or two tops. It’s one thing for it to be the only open room. That’s understandable. But when there’s a person who needs that room because it’s the only one large enough for their wheelchair or walker? Then things get a little irritating. Especially when the people in the fitting room are doing nothing but talk to each other. This isn’t the only experience I’ve had with this but it’s the most recent and one of the more aggravating ones. In the end, we did eventually get in to try stuff on but by that point my mom was about ready to explode in the middle of an Aerie dressing room. So because of that, I decided that it was time for me to join the conversation.
I feel that when it comes to handicap accessible dressing rooms there should be more serious guidelines. First of all, let’s use some common sense here! If a person doesn’t need the accessible room don’t let them use it. I don’t care if it’s the last one open because you never know when someone who actually needs it will come in. If there’s a need for more space then the company that that store belongs to should build extra fitting rooms. That way the accessible one can stay open (hopefully) at all times. Although, I do understand that this may not happen. People don’t truly see the need because they don’t understand what life is like for someone like me. It’s a sad thing to say but it’s true. Second of all, if all an employee hears is talking or giggling and there’s a person who’s been waiting awhile and actually needs the room maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check how things are going. Chances are, they aren’t actually using the room for what it was meant for anymore.
Until someone opens their eyes, nothing will change. That’s why I’m writing this blog. Not to bash Aerie or any of the other stores where this has happened but to put the word out and get people to understand what is happening and how it effects people. I want to see something change so that in the future this is no longer an issue. Hate, anger, and irritation doesn’t get people anywhere. Communication and openness does.
Until Next Time,
Caroline:)