I've saved the highlight of our visit to the Tom Thompson Art Gallery for the end. The gallery is on two levels, with actual gallery rooms on the second level. So we had to take the elevator to the second floor. No problem. We enjoyed the displays for awhile, ran into a friend, and eventually were ready to leave.
Back to the elevator we went. Now I don't know if you've had the pleasure of riding in one of these tiny little elevators that are commonly found in small towns, but they are tiny! Public buildings, including quite old buildings, were required to become wheelchair accessible some years ago. They squeezed the smallest size elevator available into whatever corner they could find. I was actually trained on how to use the elevators at Parkwood Hospital before coming home - using a elevator wand for buttons you couldn't reach, turning around inside to avoid having to back out. There were four sets of 2-3 elevators each, so I got lots of practice. But they were normal sized elevators.
I have so far encountered 3 tiny retrofitted elevators here. There is barely room for one wheelchair to drive straight in, and one person to turn on the key and hold the button. Yes, you have to hold the button to make it work. It is downright claustrophobic!
So you can imagine my thoughts as I drove into the gallery's tiny elevator, rode down to the main floor, and the door would 't open to get us out. It was a little disconcerting!
The second time it happened, the claustrophobic feeling reverberated in my mind a few seconds longer, but of course there were library staff on both floors trying to help us. We would not be left alone. I did think that if we were well and truly stuck we could call the firefighters to come and rescue us. (I had this vision of the jaws of life crunching around the elevator door and ripping it off).
Third try lucky though and we were out free. Another of our little adventures.
Small small space and the door won't open. NOT at all nice. Glad you escaped !
ReplyDeleteJoy
Most of the ones I'm familiar with are big enough for a couple of them.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you escaped. One of the many jobs I had at work was knowing how to get people unstuck from lifts (elevators), they were always very happy when I arrived on the scene!
ReplyDeleteTo me all small elevators cause a tiny, tiny bit of claustrophobia, I much prefer the large hospital elevators that can hold a gurney and four or five staff members. But, stuck is stuck -- fortunately all elevators have a "panic" button.
ReplyDeleteThat would have made ME claustrophobic, too. Glad it all turned out well without the Jaws of Life being needed. :-)
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I always prefer those freight elevators that are quite open and feel as if you could easily crawl out if necessary!
ReplyDeleteOH, a bit too exciting. I had a similar experience with an elevator stopping half way between floors and doors opening about 6 inches. No helpful library folks. Called the number in the elevator. Could not get an answer. Finally pushed the button for a different floor and that floor finally worked. Just a wee bit to exciting.
ReplyDeleteThe stuck in an elevator thing isn't funny I was stuck by myself for abut 30 min...until the maintenance guy came from where ever.
ReplyDeleteFlashback to 30 years ago... I got stuck in an elevator with a friend. There was a way to call for help and management came and opened the doors. We were not at floor-level though and had to climb out!
ReplyDeleteI get claustrophobic in airplanes when they go into those big swinging holding patterns. I cannot imagine how helpless it feels if you are in a jammed elevator and must use a wheelchair and a stick!! Glad you are out and safe.
ReplyDeleteThat sure doesn't sound like fun. I'm not claustrophobic but still woudn't want to get stuck in one.
ReplyDeleteAn adventure you could do without. - Margy
ReplyDeleteI think my worst case scenario being stuck in an elevator would be if they were playing 'rap music' instead of elevator music.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure, maybe you need to pack a lunch for more elevator adventures!
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