Shannon McCue is a mother with a disability. Her five-year-old son loves to go to the park to play on the playground. However, Shannon admits going to the playground gives her major anxiety.
“While I love the warm weather and spending time outdoors, going to the playground with my five-year-old fills me with instant anxiety.”
Shannon has a physical disability that sometimes makes walking difficult so she uses a wheelchair or cane.
“Most parks in our area are like obstacle courses for people with disabilities. Grass, mulch, rocks, sand, leaves, you name it and it’s probably on the ground just waiting for me to trip on it,” she says.
Shannon is not able to take her son to the park by herself because the parks in her area are not wheelchair accessible. In addition, Shannon’s son has Autism and has difficulties with safety awareness.
Physical barriers are not the only obstacle that gives Shannon anxiety while at the park. She states other parent’s judgemental stares also give her anxiety.
“In addition to the physical barriers that are presented on our numerous trips to the playground, there are also the judgmental stares from other parents. While I do watch my child like a hawk because I don’t have the ability to instantly run after him, I’m not able to chase him around like some of the able-bodied parents. I need to either get my husband’s attention or yell at him (my son, not husband) while hobbling along until he stops, which he usually does,” she says. However, Shannon states there are some fellow parents who will help her in chasing after her son.
Even though the playground may give her anxiety, Shannon says, “I enjoy taking my son to the park even if I can’t interact with him the way I want to, it is still a great experience to watch him having fun.”