Farewell to Rome

22 Feb 2009: Ali's wheelchair without its big wheels

Looking at the photos from February 2009 in Rome I see I have a rare one of Ali using her wheelchair with the big wheels removed.   Ali's chair had small back runner wheels (as can be seen in the picture) and removable large wheels.  This enabled the width of her chair to be a couple of inches narrower, which was sometimes essential if we were to travel in an  affordable way.  Many hotels in Rome (and elsewhere) have narrow elevator doors, and it was impossible for Ali to enter with her large wheels.  Also, in many places bathroom doors are narrow and it was very helpful for Ali's wheelchair to have this flexibility.  Most don't.

This was Ali's final visit to Rome, and we just had time to hear Pope Benedict's Angelus address and receive his blessing before we left for the airport.

22 Feb 2009:  Ali at the Angelus with Pope Benedict XVI

The two photos above show the same view from Ali's sitting perspective (top) and my standing perspective (bottom).  We were standing back from others, because Ali would have been unable to see much if too close to the person in front.  It is a reminder to me how Ali was often at a disadvantage on account of being so low down.  Being in a crowd could be very claustrophobic for her.

We fitted a lot into the week and it was a very fulfilling last visit of Ali's to Rome.

22 Feb 2009:  The last Angelus with Pope Benedict