Shopping Season

"I went to the store when they opened up the door

I said "please, please, give me some more."

–Frank Zappa

I went to the store and found that people who use wheelchairs or travel with a guide dog (and hence take up some extra space) couldn't get in.

I went to the store and found that people with disabilities could "get in" but they couldn't navigate the aisles.

I went to the store and found that the security personnel wouldn't let me in with my guide dog.

I went to the store and found that they didn't have any accessibility at all for wheelchairs.

I went to the store and was treated like crap . I remembered that I shouldn't feel special cuz that's the way it goes for everybody. Right-e-o?

I went home and lay down on the couch. I slept for awhile. I dreamt that a giant jade Rhinocerous was drinking absinthe from a Roman aquaduct in my bak yard. I felt good about this.

I will now dedicate this little arpeggio to Barnes & Noble, Macy's, CVS, and almost all the stores in Iowa City, Iowa.

I especially want to dedicate this to the Barnes and Noble in New York City on sixth avenue where once I gave a literary reading which, incidentally was filmed by NBC and when I came back to shop there I was prevented from entering the store because of my guide dog.

I should have filed a formal complaint with the Department of Justice but I was young and frivolous in those days.

Incidentally the only disability friendly store in downtown Iowa City is our fabulous "indie" bookstore Prairie Lights where my dog is treated like the soulful girl she really is. And you can use your wheelchair too.

SK