Article on Target

Scooters and such

By: Dr. Jeff Fuller

At Target and Wal-Mart I have seen electric mobility devices to assist shoppers.  These scooters are available for those who have trouble walking through these huge stores.  Individuals who use canes, wheelchairs or walkers are invited to use these contraptions, free of charge, to maneuver their way through the stores while conducting their shopping experience in the comfort of mobility.

While I am all for this convenience, as well as designating all of the best spaces in the parking lot to those who have the appropriate tags on their vehicle, I have a fear and it came true recently. 

Tina and Granny went to Target in Montgomery, to do a little shopping, between doctor’s appointments.  While Ruby is using a wheelchair for the time being and is perfectly content with this way of transportation, it was going to be near impossible for Tina to push her, as well as use a buggy to retrieve the items they had stopped in to get.  Therefore, Ruby opted for the mobility of a scooter.

Once Granny was settled into the scooter, it was too late for Tina to realize the scooters at Target are a little larger and a bit more powerful than the ones at Wal-Mart.  This came as a surprise when Granny engaged the power and took off, right for a display in the center aisle.  A near miss took place, but a fellow shopper, not using a scooter, had to jump out of the way, as Ruby made apologies and Tina covered her eyes, grabbed a buggy and went in the opposite direction.

From several aisles over Tina heard Ruby apologizing for nearly running another costumer down, bumping a display and taking a third of the merchandise with her, and getting hung up in an end cap.  Tina found her stuck in the end of row six, freed her and returned to her shopping.

While Ruby was zooming around the store, with customers jumping out of the way, Tina was hiding on the other side of the store, fearing that management would run her Momma out any moment.

Crossing paths, Ruby announced she was heading to the back of the store to find an item she needed.  Tina explained to her they would meet at the checkout in five minutes.  Ten minutes later, Tina was at the front ready to head into one of the many checkout areas, but there was no sign of Granny. 

Listening and waiting, Tina was getting concerned.  There was no disturbance from other customers, no sounds of a scooter bumping into stands or displays.  She started toward the back of the store and encounter her mother coming toward her.

“Mother, are you alright,” Tina asked.

Looking up and smiling, Ruby replied, “Yes, Tina I am fine, just fine.  I have been looking at all of the nice things in the back.”

“Did you get what you needed?” Tina asked as they headed for the checkout.

Looking into the small, empty basket on the front of the scooter, she answered, “No, I forgot what I was going for.”

This scooter story was related to me the afternoon after they made it home.  I was quit disturbed, because I remembered the time she let the wheelchair get away from her.  Oh, I have not told that story here, have I?

One afternoon, Ruby’s youngest daughter and her two children came for a visit from Auburn.  It was a pretty day and the children conspired with Savannah to go to the park.  Patsy helped Ruby wheel down the ramp, parked her at the edge of the garage to enjoy the sun and took the three kids to the park.

Ruby was not pleased with her location, so she unlocked the wheels and moved out on the parking area so she could see the kids playing.  Even then she still could not see them well, so she moved a little further around the truck and closer to the incline that leads into the back parking lot and to the road.

Granny was enjoying the sights of the children and hearing their joyful laughter, and the sun shining down on her, warming her body and soul.  Unaware that she was in danger, she attempted to turn the wheelchair, but in so doing encountered a small stone or rock, which jerked the wheels out of her hand and propelled her down the hill and toward the road.

Patsy and Savannah saw what was happening and immediately took off running toward Granny’s run-away wheelchair.  Savannah was outrunning her aunt, who was carrying Emily Gwen, and Price was following them as fast as he could.

Just before Granny reached the end of the concrete at the bottom of the hill, and right before she pitched forward into the grass, Savannah grabbed a wheel, Patsy grabbed the handles and Price was clinging to the other side, they were able to stop the run-away chair.  All was safe, Granny was none the worse, and each of the five caught their collective breaths. 

Fear turned into delight and they all had a good laugh as they returned up the hill and into the garage, Ruby was out of breath, ready to lay down and was spent.  It was a trip she would not soon forget and does not want to repeat.

Scooters and wheelchairs have been the life for us the last several months.  We hope soon that will all be over, as Ruby will soon start walking on her own.  But until then we take heart in the healing power of Jesus Christ.  Over and over again He heals the lame and gives sight to the blind.  He said, “If only you will believe.”

Jesus said that in prayer we are to persevere.  He said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 KJV)

Are you asking, seeking, and knocking?  If not try it and see what God might do in your situation.