Quality of life for the disabled: harsh climate vs. mild
I love spring! Every year when spring rolls around I am reminded just how easy life can be for people who live in a mild climate. We love winter and that’s one of many reasons why we choose to live in Alaska. We have all the necessary equipment and gear to do what we love to do while staying warm and safe all season long. But, the reality is that winter is a lot of work. Driving on icy roads is stressful, keeping your house warm and functioning in sub-zero weather is an effort, keeping children, particularly Quincy, safe and happy in bitter cold is a constant chore, and then there is keeping the driveway clear of snow, the sidewalks free from ice….
Today we are lucky to have studded tires, backup generators, polar fleece, down, Goretex, wind-stopper fabrics, leg capes, blankets, mittens, hats, balaclavas, hand and toe warmers….the list goes on. It’s a far cry from when I was kid, trying to stay warm at the bus stop in moon boots (remember those?), scratchy wool hats and gloves and snowsuits. We stay much warmer and drier with today’s fabrics and gear and therefore we have a whole lot more fun playing outside in the cold.
But spring is different. This morning my kids headed out to catch the bus with just their book bags and jackets…not a full change of outdoor gear and indoor gear, including shoes and boots, as they do in the winter. I didn’t have to plow the driveway for the bus or shovel a path for the wheelchair. Quincy wasn’t bundled up so that only her eyes showed, but instead was happy for the sunshine, the warmer air and the freedom to move her arms around any way she wanted. She was singing and talking as I loaded her on the bus ramp this morning and I know it was because she loves spring too.
Every year at this time it occurs to me how difficult life is for the disabled in Alaska. When Quincy becomes an adult I have to wonder if she wouldn’t be happier, and be able to experience more, if she were living in a place that had a milder climate. Maybe not. Maybe winter is just hard for me as her caregiver and she’s perfectly content. But, since I plan to be her primary caregiver for as long as I am physically capable, I guess this is still important to think about. Every community has it’s advantages and disadvantages and I think it’s worthwhile to at least explore the options.
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