Last night, I did something I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull off - I survived a night out at the Brooklin Fair. It wasn’t without its challenges, but I made it through, and I have my cane to thank for that.
To be honest, I was disappointed - but not entirely surprised - by the lack of accessibility at the event. I had assumed the paved parking lot would be reserved for accessible parking. That would have made sense, right? Instead, it was being used by one of the fair’s sponsors to showcase their vehicles. The designated accessible parking was tucked far away from the festivities, a considerable distance to cover if you have mobility challenges. Meanwhile, event staff and fair reps had spots much closer. Unfortunately, it felt like accessibility was once again an afterthought.
It’s frustrating, but it’s something you start to expect when living with a disability. Still, I didn’t let it ruin my night. I had a good time, all things considered - and that’s largely because I made the choice to bring my cane instead of my mobility scooter.
Why the cane? Simple: my scooter doesn’t handle grassy terrain well. The ruts from tractors and natural dips in the ground can cause it to get stuck - or worse, tip over. I felt well enough, maybe thanks to a pre-fair nap, so I opted for the cane, knowing I’d have to constantly scan the ground to avoid a fall. Fortunately, I made it through without incident. The fencing around the grounds helped too - I could use it for support when needed.
We explored the animal exhibits, grabbed some food, and decided to find a good spot for the tractor pull. Here’s where I made another miscalculation. We picked the wrong side of the track. Across from us, the bleachers were filling up - but those folks had the benefit of partial shade. Meanwhile, we were directly under the blazing sun. It didn’t take long before I started overheating and feeling faint. I let my wife know and we made a beeline back to our car for some much-needed air conditioning.
Thankfully, while we were cooling off, we got a message from the friends we were meeting. They’d already found seats - on the shaded side. What a relief! We met up with them, and I immediately felt better. As the sun went down, the temperature dropped, and the rest of the evening was actually enjoyable.
Believe it or not, I had never seen a tractor pull before. It was loud - sorry to those who prefer EVs over roaring V8s - but kind of thrilling. Who knows - maybe one day we’ll see electric tractors in the competition. It’d definitely sound a lot different!
After about an hour and a half, it was time to make the long walk back to the car. My legs were tired, but I stretched, took it slow, and made it. The cooler air helped a lot. I was just so grateful to have brought the cane I keep stashed in our vehicle for days just like this.
In the end, despite the glaring issue with accessible parking, it was a good night. A fun event, new experiences, and a reminder of how small improvements in accessibility could make a big difference. If you’re attending next year and using a mobility scooter, make sure it’s built for off-road conditions. And if anyone from the fair is reading this: it wouldn’t take much to do better. Let’s hope accessibility moves up the priority list.
As for me, recovery mode is on today. Nights like yesterday come with a cost - my leg muscles are making it clear that rest isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary. Living with a disability means listening to your body, honoring its limits, and knowing that pushing through isn’t always the answer.
