Being Disabled in the UK: My Daily Obstacle Course

Hey there. My name's Alex and I want to give you an inside look at what it's really like trying to survive daily life as a disabled person here in the UK. Spoiler alert: it's hard. I face barriers everywhere I turn just trying to leave my house and exist in society. It shouldn't have to be this way in 2023...but it is.

Let me paint a picture for you of what my average day looks like. First up is the adventure of public transportation. As a wheelchair user, getting around by bus, train, or tube is basically a bad joke. They’re just not made for people like me in mind. Narrow doors, stairs everywhere, inaccessible stations—it sometimes makes me never want to leave home. The sheer exertion it takes just to navigate something that others take for granted is frustrating.

And trying to get the bus driver to lower the ramp for me? Awkward. They always let out an impatient sigh, as if I’m personally ruining their day. The same goes for help actually securing my wheelchair on board. I know I’m not their only passenger, but a little human kindness would be nice. I can't help that you find helping me so inconvenient.

Finding an accessible flat or house to live in? Forget it. Most places have at least one flight of stairs I can't climb. And things like narrow halls, non-adjustable countertops, and inaccessible bathrooms are the norm. Trying to find an affordable and livable home as a disabled renter feels totally hopeless most days. I'm tired of landlords saying "Sorry, you can't live here."

Venturing into shops and restaurants in town? Let the obstacle course begin. Heavy doors to open, lack of ramps, aisles too narrow for my wheelchair—it's a headache. And don't get me started on self-checkout machines and ATMs I can't reach due to their height. Just another reminder that in society's eyes, I'm an afterthought as a disabled person.

Here's another thing. Getting the basic healthcare equipment I need to have any independence? Months of bureaucracy and rejection from the NHS. No matter how many times I beg for a new wheelchair, walking aids, or hearing aids—it takes forever. I'm not asking for anything frivolous here—just tools to function!

And job hunting? Exhausting. Any mental or physical limitation gets seen as a liability by employers. They don't take the time to see my abilities and perspective. Passing me over for jobs without consideration hurts. I have skills, I have value—if only given the flexibility I need. But outdated mindsets about disability persist.

I want to make clear—being disabled doesn't have to stop me from fully participating in the world. But society erects barriers everywhere I look. I face exclusion and obstacles in my daily life that no one should have to endure. Progress happens, but agonizingly slow. I long for the day when words like "accessibility" and "inclusion" become the norm, not afterthoughts.

Patience and perseverance are tough, but needed. If enough of us speak up and advocate for better treatment for the disabled, real change can happen. My wheelchair or mental health condition doesn't make me any less human. Here's hoping for a more just society ahead where people like me aren't relegated to the sidelines. It's time.

So there you have it—a glimpse into the endless obstacle course of being disabled in the UK today. It's tiring having to constantly speak up just to be seen and accommodated. But I have to believe it can get better. Equality and human dignity should have no barriers.