It's far, far too long since I blogged. Apologies. I had my first meeting with my PGCert portfolio supervisor so I've been spending some time writing, and a lot of time fretting that I haven't written enough. In the end I sent my supervisor the miserly 1254 words I had written, and ended up getting some good comments, although I did promise to write considerably more by the time we next meet. I'd better get to it though, as our next meeting is on 21st July, which is approaching far too quickly :o/
Now then, back in May I blogged about how I can't get into my local pharmacy because they have no disabled access. They assured me that they'd finally been given planning permission for a temporary ramp, and I speculated on what a 'temporary ramp' might be. Weeeeeeeeell, I went to the pharmacy on Friday, and was pleasantly surprised to see that they had at last had a doorbell fitted so that wheelchair users could now attract the attention of the shop keepers without having to rattle the letterbox while the door automatically closes on our faces. After pressing the new doorbell, I wasn't entirely sure that it was working because I didn't hear any tell-tale ringing, but a minute or so later one of the assistants came to the door, and then asked if I would like the ramp! Would I like the ramp?! Of course I would like the ramp! I would love not to feel like a second-class citizen waiting out on the street next to the dog that's been tied to the bollard whilst its owner has gone inside the shop. It turns out that a temporary ramp is a foldy-uppy ramp that, although apparently heavy, can be put into place when needed and then stored away inside again.
It was a real novelty to go inside the chemist shop. While I was waiting for my prescription I had a little scoot around and looked at all the things I now had access to buy ... and then decided that there wasn't really anything that I particularly wanted to buy at that time. At least I knew that for myself now. How very pleasing :o)
The ramp does look pretty heavy, and for some reason they keep it behind the counter at the far side of the shop. I rather suspect that the pharmacists and shop assistants are going to get fed up with lugging it around all the time, and if this happens they might just push management for a permanent ramp. Sooooo, my very basic plan is to go into the store as much as possible, which won't be difficult as I have to go there for my prescription very frequently, and they almost never have everything on my scripts, so I invariably have to go twice for each one.
Progress, definite progress, but my quest for equality of access isn't over yet. I'll be back into Boots tomorrow for the rest of today's prescription, so I hope the pharmacists and shop assistants have had spinach for dinner tonight ;o)
7 comments:
Boots the Chemist! One my one trip to the UK, I found that name so charming. I'm so happy to see you have posted, Becky. AND excited to see you got at least a modicum of accommodation.
Sometimes I find stores hard to get around with my scooter. Some of them like to put so much junk in their stores there's hardly room to navigate.
Write well, my friend, and often! Use that big heart of yours.
Tequila
Well done in your campaign for equality and to be treated fairly!
But is it really part of that large chain of chemist shops that you name dropped in the last paragraph? If so I am even more appalled at their lack of consideration towards disabled customers.
Hi Tequila, it has been a long, long quest to get access into the shop, so it is great to have a degree of success. Clearly there's still work to be done, though. I now know that the aisles around this store are easily wide enough for me to get around, but some can be awful, can't they? The worst I know is one of the shops in my local hospital, in which the aisles are far too narrow and they always have boxes of unpacked stock all over the floor. It's the most wheelchair un-friendly store I've ever been in. Thanks for the good luck wishes for my writing. I think I need it. Hope you're doing okay. Will catch up with your blog in a mo.
Becky.
Hi Pesky Dryad, and thanks for your comment. In response to your question, yes, it really is Boots that I've been having access problems with. It's been quite shocking really, and it's taken at least two and a half years to get this far. The earlier post that I refer to in this one ('Access') tells more of the story behind it and how my local councillor has been marvellous in helping get access into the shop. My quest is not yet over, but it's good to have made some progress.
Becky.
Does the chemist have scooters available inside for customer use?
Hi Anonymous, no, the store doesn't have scooters inside for customers to use. It's a local branch, rather than a big, city centre store.
Hi Becky! I was only thinking of you earlier today and hoping that you're okay as you've been quiet!!
Wow, talk about a special day - you actually got into Boots ;-) Seriously though, well done on your progress in equality of access!
Sending you some happy productive writing vibes
Dawn x
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