Dear Jim, Emily, and Anyone Else Who Ever Has the Unfortunate Job of Helping Me Put on Socks,

Thank you very much for your help. I know putting socks on another person’s feet is a bit tricky and not terribly pleasant. Please know how much I appreciate your help with this and with every task I can no longer do for myself.

Please also know that I’m not trying to be difficult when I say that it “feels wrong” and ask for a redo. Having the heel off to the side or the seam bunched up under my toes is particularly uncomfortable, and I appreciate your fixing it. I hate mentioning my discomfort and having you start over.

Luckily, spring is just around the corner, and you know what that means: Sandals!

Love,

Aimee

Dear Zacky,

Thank you very much for my new nickname. I never expected to be called “Speedy” ever again. I grin every time I think about how you so seriously bestowed this treasured nickname upon me!

Also,  I understand why you told me “mommies can’t run” and “mommies can’t jump.” It must seem like it’s a “mommy” thing, since everyone else in our family can jump and run and do all kinds of stuff I can’t do. But most mommies can do all of those things, too.

There is something wrong with my muscles that won’t let me jump or run anymore. Usually we think “I want to jump” and then our muscles do the work and our bodies jump. But when I think “I want to jump” or “I want to run,” my muscles just don’t get the message, so they can’t do the work.

I wish they could, because I would have lots of fun playing tag and follow-the-leader with you. But I’m glad we can still do other fun things together like playing catch and drawing and building cool train tracks!

Love,

Speedy

Dear DSW Shoes,

Thank you so much for my fabulous, super-long shoe horn!!! It is my absolute favorite new tool. I am so excited that I can put my shoes on my feet by myself again without needing to bug someone else to help me. Sometimes I take my shoes off for no reason, just so I can put them on again and revel in my independence!

I still can’t believe you just gave me a shoe horn when I didn’t even buy anything that day. I just wondered whether I could buy one of your awesome shoe horns, and when you said “Oh, just take one!” you won a loyal customer. Even though I didn’t find fancy shoes that day, in the words of the famous Governator: “Ahhll be bahhk!”

With deep gratitude,

Aimee

Dear Business Owner,

This has been a particularly challenging winter with regards to snow and ice removal. We appreciate all you do to make your place of business safely accessible for your patrons.

The snow and ice is especially difficult and dangerous for those of us in the disabled community to navigate; thus, we rely more than ever on business owners taking steps to ensure access.

To that end, please ask your snow removal contractor to take care not to pile excess snow in the parking areas reserved for disabled parking. We realize you likely do not directly oversee snow removal, and you may not even be aware of the fact your disabled parking spaces are blocked.

However, you should know that blockage of these spaces sends a message that persons with disabilities are not welcome in your place of business, and we will be less likely to return to your shop or restaurant. And not only is such blockage inconvenient and offensive, it actually violates Illinois law regarding accessible parking.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. We have always enjoyed frequenting your establishment and look forward to returning when this parking issue is addressed.

Sincerely,

Aimee