Having a Car

I have purchased one brand-new car in my life.  It was a 2-door Dodge K-car in the Fall of 1981.  It was nice having a new car.  I lived in Washington, Hawaii and California with that car. The interior wore out faster than the rest of the car due to being pounded by getting my wheelchair in and out of the car.  I drove from Canada to Mexico, Hawaii to Florida in that car.  Aside from running out of gas once and having a dead battery from leaving the lights on, it never left from stranded.  It was a very reliable car.

I bought one more late model convertible that was two years old.  Since 1990, I have purchased older cars with relatively low mileage—essentially grandma’s last car.  The price is good, they have been well-maintained, not abused and are in excellent condition.  I drive them to their death.  They are still running, but the interior is so beat-up that they are not worth fixing.

My current car is my favorite car ever for driving.  It is a 1993 Mercury Cougar with an unusual red/pink color and gray upscale interior.  It is a quiet comfortable car that has been very reliable for me.

I live on a hill that I could easily “walk” away from in my wheelchair.  Getting home would be an altogether different proposition.  I always take my car on even the shortest of trips such as meetings at the Alano Club—which is only 10 blocks away.

Today I am taking Lea to the methadone clinic, a meeting and then to a doctor.  It sure beats being stuck at home without a car.  Getting out of myself and my apartment is a much better way for me spend my days.

I am EXTREMELY grateful for my cars that have provided convenient reliable affordable transportation making my world a much bigger place than I could get to on public transportation.