My first wheelchair trip

When I was at my doctor's office last week, I casually asked about shopping and getting out with a wheelchair, where I recieved much to my delight, approval.

Luckily, my parents were here this weekend to help out with some things around the house and to escort me on my maiden voyage. We left Matt at home for a much needed rest and my dad at the Sears outlet.

This first trip was suitably to Babies-r-us. With my mother and Addison in tow, we head to the baby superstore with my list of yet needed baby items my Grandmother's old traveling wheelchair that has been in my parents attic for decades.

My sweet mother has this idea that I can't stand, much less take a few steps, so when we shut down the engine and I begin to get out of the van,I jolt to her frantic scream  "Don't move!" She jumps out of the car, runs to the back to get out the wheelchair and brings it right up to my door. I can now fall into the seat, my feet never touching the ground!

Addison is soo tired she can't even walk, she HAS to sit on my lap. We arrive at the doors with my tiny mother trying to navigate our teetering wheelchair stacked to the brim with bodies.

Once we get inside, we start to get a cart and then look from cart, to wheelchair, cart to wheelchair. How is my mother going to push me AND the cart? We think and ponder and finally come up with the great idea that I will push the cart and she can push me! Genious! We put Addison in the base of the cart, so she can sleep. The Harris train begins it's journey, Addison and the cart first, me and my wheelchair second and my Mom heading up the back, pushing us all.

Many isles and stares later, we come to the conclusion that this is not working, we are too big, we are getting nothing done but navigation techniques, and Addie can't make up her mind between the cart, my lap or clinging to Grandma.

After hours of shopping for a meager 6 items, We checkout, get to the car, unload our packages, load up the wheelchair and are half way out of the parking lot, where I realize that we forgot to use my coupons! Close to $20 bucks worth, definately worth it. My mom runs in to the crowded store and braves the customer service line for half and hour. She comes out, reciept in hand, with the exhausted look of triumph on her face. My poor mom, she took a nap on the way home.

We did it. Our first outing with the wheelchair. Ask me, it was totally worth it. Ask my mom? I may not see her again until the baby is born. :)