The truth is not enough places where you can see the wildlife are disabled friendly.
And I wouldn’t even dream of pushing an agenda that we make more places for viewing wildlife more disabled-friendly because the harsh truth of it is that it will and does more damage to the environment of the very wildlife we’re trying to get a view of.
And this is why with a heavy heart I say goodbye to bird photography and all it entails.
I’m so tired of reading and seeing photographs from people who travel to all these nature reserves that I could never get to in a million years. Because most of them aren’t as wheelchair friendly as they like to advertise themselves as.
Yes, it’s a petty part of me, a jealous green-eyed monster within me that is tired of seeing other peoples wildlife viewing success.
But it is what it is. This is how I’m currently feeling.
I’ve been feeling at odds with the whole disability, environment and wildlife thing for a while now.
Trying to move past these feelings and just ‘carry on’ as people say.
But I can’t move past these feelings.
I’m increasingly frustrated and I can feel it turning into a sense of mourning for what I managed to grow passionate about despite my Depression and other things combined. I’d spent many, many years far too depressed to have any interest in anything.
Only to rekindle a childhood interest in wildlife but find that actually, it’s just not practical.
And I realise it would be selfish of me to say we need to make these spaces more accessible. I wouldn’t be thinking of the wildlife, I’d only be only thinking about me and my possibility of viewing it.
We lie to ourselves as a society, especially in communities like the RSPB, Wetland trust etc that we can make space for wildlife while also making it viewable and accessible for disabled people.
But this lying isn’t fair on anybody or anything.
It’s time I let go of a hobby and interest that is too impractical.
I wish I could post on a happier note.
Thanks to anyone who has liked my photos and followed.
