Don’t get me wrong, Spain is a wonderful country but most of
the people (not all) are plain rude and it’s more noticeable from a wheelchair.
I know that I use this blog to vent my anger at various people who make my life
extra difficult but I’ve realised that the British public are what puts the ‘Great’
in Great Britain. I missed them during my holiday (even the Brits who live out
there can be a bit up themselves). There is a slight xenophobic undercurrent in
Britain but it is clear in Spain that they hate foreigners because of the
overall mannerisms and looks of distaste.
I obviously made a few observations about the treatment of
disabled people and again, I am pleased to report in a patriotic kind of way
that Britain comes out on top. I complain about kerbs and ramps at home but the
access in Spain is shocking. The dropped-kerbs are not what you’d ever imagine.
There more like inverted slopes off the pavement. Tricky to get down and
extremely uncomfortable. Sometimes, the local councils don’t even bother with
dropped kerbs. My brother had to bump me down the pavements. No way I could go
down on my own.
That brings me on to accessibility. There seemed to be steps
everywhere and shops with ramps seemed to be a minority. I had to wait outside
shops for my family but it gave me time to top up my tan. Even the ramps
weren’t adequate because they were so steep. Health and Safety is a contentious
issue but at least you wouldn’t find a ramp that is almost vertical (bit of an
exaggeration but you get the picture, ridiculous) in Britain. I think Hannah
Cockcroft would even struggle.
The whole culture is to just ignore disability which is good
in one way because everyone is treated the same. However, sometimes it’s best
to alter your behaviour when you see a disabled person. For example, it should
be universally unacceptable to barge in front and get in a lift before a
wheelchair user but that’s apparently OK in Spain. Also, at a zebra crossing.
Surely you’ll see a disabled person waiting to cross and stop. It appears being
polite to disabled people is not a Spanish thing.
It probably sounds like I had an awful time and will never
go back but that’s not true. I can cope with a few access problems if the sun
is shining and beautiful senoritas are out. I’m just being patriotic and saying that I’m
proud to be British. Although, there is no harm in popping abroad every now and
then for the weather! Saying that, it’s pretty decent now albeit I am missing
the pool.
Just to clear up, I’m not tarnishing the whole country with
one brush but I’m just sharing observations from various places I visited. So,
don’t complain.
Bye for now!
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