BY: Susanne, 2003

Thursday June 6th

I’ve already send my email to the museum in early March. On June 3rd the museum put up a FAQ page on their website and I’ve been trying to prepare myself that I probably won’t be going to Denmark after all. I’ve been told I can forget about attending the opening and according to the FAQ the poetry reading isn’t accessible to wheelchairs. I already knew this for months but they promised to find a solution for me and now it seems they haven’t.

It’s usually more difficult for me to go to an event because of my wheelchair. I’ve learned in time that questions about accessibility have to be answered before the ticketsales start else by the time I’ve gotten an answer to my questions the tickets are likely to be sold out. Being referred to several people until I have the right person with the right info is always a hassle. They often can only be reached through phone during special hours etc. Sometimes I need to buy a “special” ticket, at other times a “normal” ticket or a “child” ticket. Things are never the same. Having the tickets is usually enough for the not disabled to get in. Not for me!

At the entrance the struggle usually starts again. “No, you can’t get in here that’s not safe”. Security people are not always nice. I’ve ended up at a closed door in some narrow alley behind a theatre with some steep staircase, I’ve gotten in through basements etc. The fun starts when other disabled people arrive. This always is a sign we have all gotten the correct info. Either someone has been there before and knows how things work, or our companions/chauffeurs make a ruckus until we get someones attention that has the decency to tell us what happens next.

Waiting in line to get in brings out the worst and the best in people. I always hate it when we don’t get in ahead of these people. People have stepped on my feet and ended up in my lap because they think they can just push themselves in front of me because I’m in a wheelchair. A cunning, desperate to get me in, pushy chauffeur is a must at this time.

So why go through all of this? That’s simple. I always try to have a small wish able to come true. When they work out these become my days of fun and this helps me to keep my life positive.

Like everyone else I’ve been waiting since my first email for news and during the last 2 days people have been offered tickets. I have visions of me crawling up those stairs. My hope is shrinking fast and my experiences of all the things that can go wrong are not helping. Dilli has given a huge list with ideas and has sadly gotten grief over it when she was only trying to help me. Germany offered to come to Denmark just to help us in and meet us. DB has bombarded me with emails to point my attention to Danes response and made a special thread for us both. Dane has been so kind to me. She has moved heaven and earth to try to find people that can get me up those stairs at the poetry reading. My brother has promised to take me there and asked for a leave from work 2 month’s ago, just in case.

I only need those &%#@§ tickets.

Friday June 7th

Almost 11.00 am WHOOOOEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I got my email with a ticket form. A DAY OF FUN!!! Oeps I’m reading my email again and again. Oh no, they did some mumbo jumbo to make it possible for me to attend the **OPENING** and are asking me to keep it a SECRET. Oh no!!! I’m so happy and I CAN’T TELL.

Okay, it’s past 7 pm and I’ve been thinking ALL DAY about how to tell you guys. I have to think of something. I can’t tell Germany and Dane the real reason why I don’t need their help anymore. I’m so sorry Ladies but I just can’t take the risk. This is killing me. DB agrees I can post I will be going to Denmark without giving the details. This way I can still share my happiness with you. Oh happy day, Oh happy day, when Jesus was, ooooh when he was. Duh, silly me :-D

Me, Dane and Dilli have had a nice chatroom party. I’m so glad I can type because I think I almost bit my tongue off. The FAQ page says all the nice people sending emails and phoning will be going to the poetry reading. Well then I’m NOT NICE …….. hahahaha if they only knew. This will be a 3 week private joke.