Wheelchair Blues

by

Jane Royce

It happens everyday. Some jerk just has to feel that they can sit on me and pop wheelies in the hall, or race me against another wheelchair and it always ends up in the same way, it always ends up with a huge crash and I go to engineering to be repaired. Maybe I'm tired of it all, did anyone ever think of that?

When my life began, I was honored to be a wheelchair. It is a noble job, people need me and for the most part, respect me. Usually I help transport someone who is unwell to the x-ray department, or to their room if they are getting admitted to hospital. I try to keep their ride smooth, to absorb the bumps along the way. The patient should enjoy a smooth and comfortable ride, they are in enough pain already.

My favorite are the children. When they sit on me, their little legs stick straight out and can't often reach my pedals. They are so light and they feel so scared. I can tell. I can hug them when they sit on me, and this helps them, I am sure. I am happy just to be there for them.

When I am not working, I am usually folded against a wall, just taking a breather. It's peaceful during those times and during those times I take inventory of myself. If something needs to be tightened or needs some oil, I make sure to squeak a little bit louder to get the attention. I have to be in good shape for this job!

Then it will happen, that time during the day when things settle down and the staff turns to me for entertainment. Usually it's late at night but it happens during the day sometimes as well. Boredom among staff sets in and I am expected to rise to the occasion. Do they not realize that I have a more important job? That if they break me, I am not able to help others?

'Crash, bang!' Here we go again, Dr. Morton and Dr. Brackett race me and Millie and she crashes into me. Millie's fine but my right foot pedal is now bent at an odd angle. Great, that will take me out of comission for a week while I sit in engineering, waiting for attention. Nobody cares.

__________

Two weeks later

I am back on the job again, happy to be here. After waiting for my repairs and being among chairs in far worse shape, I think I have realized something. I am here for the patients, working to make them comfortable, I have an important job. I am here for the staff too, to relieve their stress. In the ER, they do see many terrible things and I suppose they horse around with me to relieve some of that pressure. I am honored to serve them, and will race a little smoother now, understand them a bit better and appreciate the attention.