Living in England

Living in England

Maryam Mehanna
Third Year


England is one of the most historical lands all over the world. It is a beautiful dream for many people to live in it. I would like to share with you my baby experience which I had there. In England, I can walk, run, play and at last I can feel that I am a real human being. There, I can enjoy the simplest rights which I cannot here. There, I can totally depend on my own; I can take a bus or a taxi or even a train. The best thing that I liked there is that I can walk freely without any difficulties, because the pavements are within ramps (slopes). There, I can fly over the clouds, smile and say: “I am a precious and valuable person.” But, here, I can say: “I am a figural person without any rights at all.”

Concerning disabled people, there, the great facilities which they have, give them the opportunities to live, participate and achieve their potential in an active society. There is a sort of an interaction between the society and those people, for society depends on and cares for people’s mentality, regardless of their physical appearances. Because of the facilities they have, they can be productive people who can help their country rather than bring an extra burden to the process of development.

I would like to take you on a tour around the wonderful facilities which can be found there. Let’s begin with Heathrow Airport which is the busiest airport in the world. If you are a wheelchair-user, you will enjoy your way until you leave this huge place. After landing, you will find your assistant with a nice smile at the aeroplane’s door. On your way, you will have a nice chat with your assistant till you go to the passport-checkers. You have your own special lane, so you have no need to wait for a long time. At the end, you will pick up your bags and leave this fascinating place.

After leaving the airport and wandering around the organised streets, you will be very touched, and if you are a disabled person, you will have conflicting feelings which are too hard to be expressed. Why am I saying all that? Well, because the pavements are very well-organised for anyone, especially for the old, the disabled and people with babies and push-chairs. At every end of any pavement there is a ramp. The ramps can be found at the roads as well as the streets. One day, I had decided to have a long walk ALONE without any help from others – in Egypt, I need help to go on the VERY high pavements. I walked and walked…and crossed the roads – something I have never done in Egypt because of the chaotic cars!!! Suddenly, I stopped and said: “Oh…what’s that? What am I doing? I can do it alone by my own.” Really, I cannot express my exact feelings and sense of joy…

There is something that I have never done here and I won’t ever, but I did it there. I used the bus as a means of transportation; it was great to use it. Almost all the buses have “Easy Access”; this facility means that there is a ramp that folds from the bus to the pavement. This helps disabled people to get easily on the bus. There is a special place for the wheelchair-user, where there are no seats and he/she uses the wheelchair as a seat. Isn’t it amazing?!

Traveling by train was my first time while I was there. Definitely, the disabled service is magnificent. When I booked the ticket, I informed them that I needed that service. I went on time and I found the service-man waiting for me with a portable ramp. It is used because there is a gap between the train’s steps and the ground. This ramp would facilitate the process of getting on the train. The man told me that he would call his colleague in the other station – which was my destination – to inform him to wait and also he would give him my platform number to be at the exact place – look at how that man had all this authority to use in my favour. When I took my seat, I found that also there is a special seat for the wheelchair-users; there is a red button if s/he needs any aid. When I arrived at my destination, I found the service-man with the portable ramp and everything was done in the most perfect manner. Imagine…All these services are for no charge!!! Really, I was about to cry…

Going to the most favourable place for women and girls is where the Shopping Centre is. The shops are very well-organised for the wheelchair-users; there are not any steps in front of the shops – unlike Egypt!!! Inside any shop, the wheelchair-user can move around easily because there is quite a wide space between the clothes’ stands. If a shop consists of more than one level, there should be a lift, not only stairs and it is very rare to find that it is not working. In addition, there are escalators (electric steps) for those who prefer them. Among the fitting-rooms, there is a special one for the wheelchair-user. This room is large to be easily entered with the wheelchair. There are many supporting arms to help the person to stand up if s/he cannot do it alone. There is also a red button for calling an assistant for help. Doesn't it sound excellent?!

There, they become enabled people and not disabled ones any more. The word “Disability” is removed by now from their dictionaries and “Ability’’ is placed instead of it. In reality, these fascinating facilities help their life to be lived more efficiently and more happily. However, there is a very important aspect that is missing in England. Here, we can find cordiality and cooperation shared by all people. This cordiality gives hope in developing our life conditions. People would love to offer you help all throughout, but the question to be raised now is: “Are good intentions and cordiality enough for the disabled to lead a sort of average, normal life in our loved EGYPT?????” That is a question to be answered by the future.