Someone needs to tie that neighbor’s rear-end into a wheelchair for a week. They would have a different opinion after only a day, but only if they have a brain and a heart..... Which may be asking too much.
I broke my leg a month ago. I have always had compassion for those that are handicapped. Now I have even more compassion. It is hard out there to navigate up curbs, over thresholds and go long distances. It is exhausting.
I have twisted my ankle badly enough to need crutches. It is tiresome going from one place to another in those. I can’t imagine what it’s like rolling your own wheelchair on a permanent basis.
I had a similar experience. I teach a class at my kids’ high school and one of the kids in the class is wheelchair bound with a degenerative muscluar disease that will be fatal before he’s 30. We went on a class trip in ddowntown Philadelphia, seeing various historic sights. iI’d never properly appreciated the wheelchair ramps at every corner until then.
I broke mine on July 31st. I’m sure glad I added a “utility ramp” when I built my deck ... I’ve been using it a lot lately.