Screw nature. (TM 193)
193: Forest photo prompt.

A lot of people on my friends list this week have been talking about this picture of a forest. I guess it's some kind of meme, or something.

A couple years ago, I would've looked at that photo and thought it looked like a beautiful, peaceful place. I would've thought it looked like a nice place to go hiking, or camping. I used to like hiking and camping.

Now do you know what I see when I look at that photo? What I think? I think, 'Huh. Nice picture.' And I get pissed off.

I was going to end this entry there, but maybe, for once, I'll elaborate.


Let's say you want to go hiking in the woods. Maybe camp out overnight. And you're an average guy, six foot two, healthy. No big deal, right?

Now, sit down. Take away that height and reach. Add about forty pounds. Go hiking. Have fun.

Just a few things to keep in mind:

If the ground's wet, your wheels are going to sink in, and you could get stuck. Rough terrain is impossible to navigate. Rocks and holes in the path could make you tip over. If there's a log or something across the path, in your way, you're stuck. Your hands are going to get filthy if it's muddy because, you know, using a wheelchair is like wiping your palms on the soles of your shoes after every step.

Want to wade in the brook? Well. Aside from the problem of not being able to walk out into it, even if you wanted to wrestle yourself (and your useless legs) out of the chair and onto the ground and drag yourself to the bank (nice mental image, right?) and then lift your legs with your hands, tug your shoes off, and put your feet into the nice, cold water...

Right. You can't feel it. Enjoy watching it, though, and remembering what you don't have, anymore. That's fun.

Oh. And if you stay in there too long, you're running a risk of hypothermia. Because it's freezing, and you can't feel it.

Now. Want to go camping? See if you can pitch a tent while seated, without leaning over too far, because you can't feel your lower back or your ass, and your balance is crap. You can build a fire, but have fun gathering the wood to do it. See how long that takes.

Let's assume, for a minute, that you manage to pitch a tent and build a fire and get something to eat and drink. Now, you've been out in the woods for several hours. Have you pissed yourself yet? Would you know it if you had?

Figure out a way to pee in the woods when you can't move your legs. I dare you. I can think of two, because yes, I have thought ahead and planned for emergencies, but I hope I never have to do either. Or, you know, you could cath yourself. That's not humiliating. Not at all.

Can you transfer from a wheelchair to a flimsy cot without you and the cot (and probably the chair) tipping over onto the ground? How long does it take to get yourself into a sleeping bag? Oh, and by the way, how have you carried all your camping gear? Did you have a thirty-pound backpack on the back of the forty-pound chair that you're using your arms to push through the forest?

I could go on, but I've said enough. More than enough. I'll take my fresh air and sunshine through a window, thanks. Or out on the sidewalk. On a paved path through the park.

Now do me a favor and don't comment on this. I said when I got this blog that I wasn't going to lock entries to private, but I wrote this one for myself. I don't need pity, or sympathy, or reassurance. This is just how it is, and unless you have a damn good reason, unless you get it, sorry, but I don't need to hear it.

Peace. Out.

Logan Cale/ Eyes Only
Dark Angel
720 words