WOULD like to tell you about an experience and lesson that I have learned.

Five weeks ago I was in a car crash and although the car was a total write-off, I came away with only a broken ankle, a cracked rib, and bruising. Due to my injured ankle, which is in plaster, I have to use crutches and a wheelchair to get about. Although my disability is temporary and in another couple of weeks or so I can return the chair, many others cannot as their disability is permanent.

I would like to this opportunity, therefore, to apologise to all those who use wheelchairs on a daily basis, if I have ever in ignorance been rude to you or not acknowledged you. During my time in the wheelchair I have noticed that people don't really see you.

I was shopping, or trying to shop, at Earlestown market over Easter and encountered two men standing on a ramp by the road, chatting. I said: "Excuse me", twice but they continued to talk. My boyfriend called out to them and they turned and looked at me and eventually moved over about two steps and carried on talking. We still didn't have room to pass, but managed to squeeze through.

I noticed and mentioned to my boyfriend that people rarely look where they are going -- my wheelchair has a leg extension which can hit you in the back of the knee (ouch!). Hardly anyone looked down. No matter how often I said "Excuse me", people wouldn't move. Or, if my chair did catch the back of their knee, I'd get dirty looks, tuts, and very occasionally only half-hearted apologies or smiles. We ended up coming back from Earlestown very quickly after we arrived.

Not all is bad news though. Asda Stores at Golborne and Wigan are more disability-friendly. Even the shoppers themselves were courteous and helpful. Parking was easy, disability baskets plentiful, and I actually enjoyed shopping.

I think that able-bodied people don't understand how frustrating, difficult, and annoying just shopping can be. People park half on the pavement, making it hard for the person pushing the chair to manoeuvre it. Ssometimes we found ourselves in the road trying to get around a car.

I also have seen people park in areas designated for the disabled, who very clearly were not disabled. I saw few cars parked in those designated areas actually sporting orange badges. Please don't take up parking spaces for the disabled just for your own convenience.

The best thing any able-bodied person can do is address the person in the chair if you want to ask how he/she is, not the person pushing the chair.

As I said earlier, my disability is temporary and will heal in months. I'll be walking again soon and probably take everything for granted again - like everyone else. But I respectfully ask that we all be kinder, more thoughtful and less irritated with those who deal with their disability the best way they can.

And, to those of you who are disabled and may be reading this, please forgive our ignorance and be patient with us.

Elaine Davies