THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, January 14, 1997             TAG: 9701140007
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A14  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   28 lines

WHEELCHAIR SHOPPING

Recently I had the experience of interacting with two friends who were wheelchair bound as a result of surgery, but who are now, thankfully, walking on their own two feet.

As a result of this, I experienced a different perspective of shopping in department stores. When on my own, I had no problem walking between racks of clothing and other merchandise. However, get into a wheelchair and it's a different story. It's OK as long as one stays in an aisle, but try to wheel to different racks of clothes off the aisle and you can forget it. There's no way that a wheelchair can navigate those areas.

We had a very pleasant experience at the Super Kmart on Military Highway. My friend was able to use its electric cart (once we figured out how to get it started) to do Christmas shopping and grocery shopping, giving her the pride of some independence after a long period of dependence.

I guess my ultimate message is to thank those businesses that plan their facilities to physically accommodate everyone, and to urge all business owners/managers to step back and see their facility from the height and mobility of a wheelchair. It sure opened my eyes.

ELIZABETH LEE MORRISON

Virginia Beach, Jan. 9, 1997