Open Doors

At the end of April, I got a new contraption (called "Open Sesame") installed in my front door, so I can open and close the door by myself. It has been such a wonderful form of freedom and accessibility for me! I've gone on several walks around my neighborhood alone when the sunshine beckons, I've been able to open the door for the FedEx guy so he can leave my packages inside, and I have opened the door for friends who come to visit me and have their hands full (literally and metaphorically! #MomFriends). 

I requested this modification from Vocational Rehabilitation in March 2023. My reasons went beyond just wanting to come and go as I pleased (although, aren't basic dignity and autonomy sufficient reasons?). I also knew this was a safety factor. If something were to happen inside (like a fire), I could not get myself outside and away from the house. I could not lock and unlock my door, so if I was home alone, I had to keep the door unlocked in case I needed someone to be able to get to me. I explained these concerns when I made the request, thinking that a very practical and real urgency might make it more of a priority.

...13 months later...

I reluctantly played the role of "squeaky wheel": Any updates? Where are we with this project? Is there something I need to do or someone I need to prod? Can we name a date for completion? When someone finally responded, the answer was: "They'll get to it by mid-July!" 

Rrreeeeeaaalllllllyyyy??? 

Squeaky Wheel Chandler suddenly became Obnoxiously Squawky Chandler, insisting (in the best type-A tone I could muster) that no, this would not be done in July, it needed to be done last July and it must be done by the end of this month because there is absolutely no excuse for something this simple and this important to take nearly this long. For the record, I do not like this version of me and I did apologize later to the lady who got the brunt of it. The frustrating thing is, sometimes that is the only version of me that is heard, especially when it comes to government-funded... anything. And this is one reason why we really should not depend on the government to take care of us. (More on that later this summer.)

To bring things back to a positive note, the man who came and installed Open Sesame was incredibly kind, friendly, helpful, and thorough. He put in four different ways for me to access the door and the lock and said that if I ever have trouble with it just to call him personally. It's people like him who restore my faith in humanity. 

Now, if you will excuse me, I'm gonna go out for a walk...

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