Hi, I'm Liz and new here

[lizmay]

Hi,
My username is LIZMAY, but friends call me Liz. I've been in a wheelchair for ten years due to a syndrome called "C"hronic "I"nflammatory "D"emyelinating "P"olyneuropathy or CIDP. I belong to another forum for my syndrome, but I would like to try this forum to see if I can get advice, feedback, etc. on how I can make a better life for myself, put some FUN into an old ladies life (68).

I am stable with my syndrome (remission for seven years now), live alone and manage very well. My big big problem is TRANSPORTATION. I'll never be able to drive again and must pay a home care agency to take me out. Where I go wheelchair must go.

I want to move forward with the rest of my life.
Liz

[Pete]

Hi Liz
It's nice to meet you, and i hope you find this a nice place to chat. At times it can be a bit quiet, though i check here every day in case someone's posted.

On your question on Transportation, For me, most things are close enough that i can just roll there in my chair, For destinations further away there's the wheelchair taxi (Maxi Taxi (http://www.yellowcab.com.au/content/?id=31)), while not free, the govt pays half the cost.

[Junky]

Welcome to the group! I'm a little new here as well and have found everyone very nice and friendly.

[Gemma]

Hey Liz, a good group of people here. enjoy your stay :)

[lizmay]

Hi,
There are a few places close enough to where I live that I can get to in my JAZZY power wheelchair, but it rains heavy A LOT right now in central Florida and I value my JAZZY too much to take a chance on getting caught in a downpour. I could leave to go to a store in the sunshine and get caught in the rain before I get there. I could protect myself and the upper part of the chair with a poncho, but what protects the battery???

I am a new resident in Florida and still in the process of settling in, so I have not as yet applied for the county's accessible (lifts) buses. True, I can take a taxi, but to be truthful, that scares me. I don't know the driver, I don't know if I can get myself into a building that doesn't have automatic doors, etc, etc.

I've always been (even before wheelchair) such an introverted, inhibited, timid person and it's so hard for me to venture out when I don't know what to expect.

[Junky]

The one only time that I used a taxi was back in April. Me and 3 friends were staying
in a motel and called for a taxi to take us to a concert. We told the taxi company that
one of us was in a wheelchair, but the guy showed up in a mini-van and my three friends
had to pick me up and put me in the back seat. Glad I had them with me cause there
would have been no way that I could have done that by myself!

[Pete]

Hi Liz
I don't know the driver, I don't know if I can get myself into a building that doesn't have automatic doors, etc, etc.

I find with doors that people will open them for you if they see you wanting assistance, a smile and thank you is all it costs you.

I've always been (even before wheelchair) such an introverted, inhibited, timid person and it's so hard for me to venture out when I don't know what to expect.

Most of us are a bit like that, You just have to put your fear behind you and seize the moment, Every day you sit at home shut in, is a day of your life wasted you'll never get back. Do you have any neighbours or friends close by that would enjoy a spot of shopping or whatever with you?.