Ice Skating as a Wheelchair User: My Experience at Lakeside Shopping Centre
For a little end-of-year adventure, my team and I headed to a local seasonal ice skating rink at Lakeside shopping centre so I could try ice skating as a wheelchair user. Beth & Poppy weren’t super sure at first and held onto the wall the vast majority of the time.
The Challenge of Getting onto the Ice
The main challenge for me was getting onto the ice. We had emailed ahead about being a wheelchair user, and everything was okayed. However, when we got there, we were told there was a ‘lip’ to get onto the ice, which actually turned out to be a big step.
It ended up with Poppy, Beth, and two random security guys lifting me onto the ice, which was not ideal. Unfortunately, this also resulted in breaking my fairy lights on my wheelchair.
Fun on the Ice
Once I was on the ice, it was a lot of fun! It was the easiest time I’ve ever had self-propelling, and we all had a great laugh. I tried to do some tricks, like spins, but often my wheels would turn and I wouldn’t.
At one point, I tried to go backwards while Poppy held my hands. Maybe I could be the first wheelchair user on Dancing on Ice? Haha!
A Human Penguin
Poppy & Beth enjoyed using me as a moving wall—essentially a human version of one of those penguin things used to help kids stay upright. They held onto the back of my chair while skating, which was good for me too, as I didn’t have to self-propel much.
The Inaccessible Ramp
By the time we wanted to stop, we’d found a ramp. Unfortunately, it was just a very thin plank of wood that wasn’t wide enough for my chair, so I bumped down. It was super inaccessible, and that put a dampener on things, especially after we had been told they regularly had wheelchair users on the ice.
My Verdict
Average Disabled Jen definitely wants to do more ice skating in the future, but definitely not at this rink!
Have You Tried Ice Skating as a Wheelchair User?
Have you tried ice skating as a wheelchair user or with another type of disability? How did you find it?
