WORKING ON WHEELS

October 16, 2026October 18, 2026 | Jen

When I became a power chair user, I had to make changes – both at home and work. I was working at the National Air and Space Museum in DC when I became a power chair user. Thankfully, the museum was mostly ADA-compliant, and when obstacles arose, I embraced adaptation. Just like at home, I found solutions that helped me continue to perform my duties.

When I became a power chair user, the most I needed to do at work initially was to get my office furniture rearranged, so I had room to maneuver my power chair. I also chose to get a lift on my chair which raised the seat a foot. I was responsible for maintaining the contents of the image binders of my department’s RPIF. The lift allowed me to reach the binders on the higher shelves.

EXHIBIT DISPLAYS

I had many responsibilities at the museum. One of those being my department’s exhibit displays. Consisting of 20 flat screens, these displays were spread out between two galleries, Looking at Earth and Exploring the Planets. Now, before the museum opened, I’d perform a walk-through of the exhibit galleries to make sure the galleries were clean, cases undamaged, and that my displays were working properly.

After I became a powerchair user, I started referring to my walk-throughs as ‘roll-throughs’. I also liked to tell people that I was off to ‘stretch my wheels’. I’d usually get a chuckle in response. What can I say? I like making people laugh.

I controlled all of the displays from my office computer. Unfortunately, if there was a problem with any of the displays, I would have to go all the way up to my office on the third floor to fix it and then come back down to the gallery to see if the fix was successful. This was a significant pain in the ass. However, when my computer was upgraded to a Microsoft Surface, I saw an opportunity.

With parts from Ram Mount, I managed to cobble together a mount that allowed me to carry the tablet-sized computer on my power chair. I even got myself a kneeboard (the type pilots use) and strapped it to my right thigh. I used the kneeboard as a mouse pad and got myself a corded mouse, that could be easily retrieved if dropped. I am particularly proud at how I mcguyvered this setup.

Being able to carry and use my computer while sitting in my power chair was a game changer. I could finally fix issues with the displays while actually being in the galleries. When my department’s researchers wanted to use the displays for live PowerPoint presentations, I was able to troubleshoot any spontaneous hiccups with the presentations while present. I was very pleased with how this worked out.

COMMUTE

For over seven years, I commuted to and from work as a powerchair user. And my experiences commuting helped me figured out how to effectively handle public transportation as a power chair user.

ACCESSIBILITY

I also addressed a few workplace accessibility issues – much to the annoyance of the museum’s administration. I regret nothing.

I successfully worked on wheels for over 8 years. And I was proud to do it. Being a power chair user didn’t stop me from performing my duties.

And I would have continued performing those duties if my position hadn’t been defunded.

I hope the information I’ve shared here is helpful.

-Jen, aka. “Power Chair Dorothy”

Not in Kansas Anymore (www.notinksanymore.com) is a site/blog authored and managed by Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy (pwrchr-dorothy). This site/blog is intended to provide educational and research information, and to share the author’s experiences.

The author of this site/blog is not a medical physician and this site/blog does not provide medical advice. This site/blog contains information that should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. If you choose to apply or implement any information posted at this site/blog, you do so at your own risk.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AS A POWER CHAIR USER

September 24, 2026October 17, 2026 | Jen

**Photograph** of a DC Metro Platform from **Pixabay**

During my last seven years working in DC, I commuted to and from work as a power chair user. I rode commuter and local buses, the DC Metro, and the VRE (Virginia Railway Express).

Over time, I experienced every problem imaginable from lift failures on buses that left me suspended in the air for half an hour to getting my chair stuck in Metro car doors. I also had a number of unfortunate experiences with bus drivers pretending not to see me at my bus stop so they could avoid picking me up. I even had a bus driver apologize to everyone on the bus, telling them they were going to be late for work because of the time it took for him to load me onto the bus. Nice, huh?

Now living in Florida, I am experiencing problems yet again as I ride the local buses. These problems have prompted me to write this post, in order to share how I effectively handle public transportation as a power chair user.

Any time I take public transportation, I triple-check the schedules and timetables. I’ve found the Google Maps app on my smartphone to be very helpful for mapping out bus rides. I make sure my fare cards and bus passes are ready and that my smartphone and power chair are fully charged and functional. And I always get to my stop early, even though buses are notoriously late.

No matter what form of public transportation I am taking, I am always at the front of the line. I’m there so the bus drivers and train conductors see me. They usually have to move aside or fold up seats to accommodate my power chair and either get a lift out or extend a ramp for me. Being at the front of the line and clearly visible, helps give them a heads up when they arrive.

Besides helping me map out my bus rides, the Google Maps app on my smartphone also shows me in real-time where exactly I am on the map during the ride. I no longer worry about missing my destination during any first time trips.

I was once trapped on a bus for over an hour because the bus’ battery died. Without power, the lift wouldn’t work. So, while everyone else was able to walk off the bus and get rides home, I was stuck there. Ever since then, I make sure to carry water and a snack with me, just in case I get stuck somewhere again.

Now, if there is an incident with a bus driver, whether it’s failing to safely tie down my power chair or not stopping to pick me up, I will make a formal complaint. At the time of said incident, I try to document it the best I can. I record the time and date when the incident happened and the driver’s name. If I can’t get the driver’s name, then I’ll jot down a physical description of the driver and the bus number. When I make a formal complaint, I need those details.

I hate conflict, but when there is a serious problem, I have to make a formal complaint. It’s the only way to make change happen. I do this for myself and others with disabilities.

DOES MAKING A COMPLAINT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Yes. I’ve made complaints that have made a difference. Sometimes I’ve been able to fix a problem with a single complaint. Other times, I’ve had to make multiple complaints to get things fixed. I’ve also found that complaints made in person go a lot farther than complaints made over the phone.

Once, a bus driver directed a violent outburst at me because he was having problems loading me onto the commuter bus. I was heading home from work, but his outburst made me change my mind. I chose to skip getting off at my usual stop and instead got off at the bus company’s transit center. The driver figured out I was going to report him and tried to talk me out of getting off the bus. Instead, I stared him down and ordered him to let me off. I then went into the transit center and reported him. Afterward, I sat and waited at the transit center for a local bus that could take me home. Reporting the driver tacked on an extra hour to my trip home, but it was worth it. I never saw that driver again. He could have been fired or moved to another bus line. I don’t know.

So, yes, making a complaint can make a difference. And if stuff keeps happening to me, I’ll keep making complaints.

I hope the information I’ve shared here is helpful.

-Jen, aka. “Power Chair Dorothy”

“Not in Kansas Anymore” (www.notinksanymore.com) is a site/blog authored and managed by Jen, aka. “Power Chair Dorothy” (pwrchrdorothy). This site/blog is intended to provide educational and research information, and to share the author’s journey.

THE SOUP SOLUTION

September 29, 2025September 25, 2026 | Jen

**Photograph of a Bowl of Soup** by **Mich Wich** from **Pixabay**

I love a warm, comforting bowl of soup. Unfortunately, most canned and boxed soups contain ingredients that don’t exactly agree with me (ie. food sensitivities). The same with soups from most restaurants. The obvious solution, of course, is to simply make my own soup. Being a woman who knows how to cook, making my own soup should be easy, but as a woman with disabilities, my ability to physically cook is limited. Therefore, to create my own soup at home, I had to problem solve.

After much trial and error, I finally found success working at a smaller scale and relying on helpful cooking shortcuts, like my broth mixes. I discovered that 4-cup, handled bowls work best for me. They are easier to manage, physically, than a large soup pot and can be easily put in the microwave. To eliminate the need for the cleaning and cutting of fresh ingredients, I experimented with dried, powdered, frozen, and even canned/jarred ingredients. By the end, I managed to develop several tasty soup recipes.

I also love Thai Curries and have managed to create single serving versions of them as well. Even though Thai curries are technically not soups, I tend to treat them like soups and therefore have grouped them in with my soups.

SINGLE SERVING SOUPS

These soups also contain anti-inflammatory foods. Those anti-inflammatory foods being Artichoke Hearts, Avocados, Carrots, Cauliflower, Peanuts, Pumpkin and Tomatoes. With the exception of the Thai curries, these soups also contain broth mixes, which are also loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients.

As a woman with Multiple Sclerosis (MS),I use these soups to help manage my MS. When I discovered that inflammation can cause MS relapses, with relapses being the worsening of current or creation of new MS symptoms, I incorporated these soups into my beneficial diet to help manage inflammation. And managing inflammation helps manage my MS.

I hope the information I’ve shared here is helpful.

-Jen, aka. Power Chair Dorothy

THE BROTH MIX FIX

December 14, 2024August 18, 2026 | Jen

**Photograph of Broths and Ingredients** by **Bluebird Provisions** from **Pixabay**

I had an epiphany one day as I was preparing a bowl of ramen. I looked at the little seasoning packet and thought, “What if I made a broth mix, loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients, that could help me combat inflammation?

You see, as a woman with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), I discovered that inflammation can cause MS relapses, with relapses being the worsening of current or creation of new MS symptoms. Therefore, I incorporated anti-inflammatory foods into my beneficial diet to help manage inflammation. And managing inflammation helps manage my MS.

While I found success in managing inflammation by filling my diet with anti-inflammatory foods, I also had some extra obstacles to deal with. Being a woman with disabilities, I have physical limitations that make cooking difficult. So, I needed to find cooking shortcuts to help putting together an anti-inflammatory meal easier. And that’s when I realized that an anti-inflammatory broth mix would fit the bill. Shelf-stable, a dry ingredient broth mix is easier to make and easier to physically handle than a liquid broth. I can also control the quality and strength of the ingredients I put in the broth mix, while avoiding unhealthy chemicals and fillers.

It took quite a bit of experimenting and testing, but I did it. I created, not just one, but seven very tasty broth mixes containing some of my favorite anti-inflammatory foods. It wasn’t long before I realized that these broth mixes could be used to make more than just broth. They can be used to make soups, sauces, dips, and salad dressings, as well as, used to season rice, vegetables, and proteins like fish, shrimp, chicken, and pork. These broth mixes can even be made vegan.

BROTH MIXES