One of the clever things about being a buggy and not a car, is that the key I needed was a large plug thing that humans use for their music. So we rang the person who we were going to stay with and found out that he had one, that he would meet us at the station, and I would be free again.

 In the meantime, I had to be pushed. I was totally immobilised. How humiliating. Lucky I am strong and I could carry some of the luggage and Susan while Madeleine and the security guards pushed me to the platform.

 We got to the train on time, and the next bit is another story about how public transport is not meant for buggies, just for humans, and the ignorance of people who don’t know how important buggies are in the world.

 Buggies of the world unite against human discrimination.

 We are finally able to get on the train. However, we have a problem. Sydney trains are not meant for buggies. They are only meant for humans. What humans do to prevent buggies from having freedom, is to make gaps between the platform and the train too big for us buggies to get across. Buggies can’t step over things like humans can, one of the few disadvantages, I must admit.

 Madeleine and Susan stood there and looked at the train, and the gap between the train and the platform in dismay. Madeleine was not strong enough to life me over the gap on her own. I am a very strong, solid and heavy buggy, I must admit.

 One of the train humans came along and offered to help. Madeleine, by this time, was very tired and really getting quite cross. It was about 10 o’clock human time, and we had been travelling since 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Sydney was 3 hours ahead, so in Sydney time it was about 1 a.m. Travelling on trains at that time of night, even with me to run over people’s toes, can be quite dangerous.

 Madeleine had a grump at the train man about making trains and platforms more accessible for buggies and their humans. The train man was not impressed. He grumped back at Madeleine. Finally, we were on the train. Madeleine was still grumping and she grumped to a man on the train as well.

 This man was even grumpier than Madeleine was. He told her that she shouldn’t be having her child out at this time of night. Now, I was just sooo angry with this man. Who did he think he was to tell my humans things like that. Now, this is  another little problem with being a buggy. We don’t have voices to tell people when they are being stupid. And we don’t have hands to punch people in the noses.

 Anyway, the man finally went away, and the three of us settled down to the train trip. It was only about an hour but Susan fell asleep. I guess I dozed in my little corner. And our friend did have a new key for me and suddenly I was no longer helpless. I was free, free again. Never again did I let Susan go out without her spare key. I even told her teachers to keep spares at school, just in case. I could never live through another experience like that again.

 I have a couple more stories about that trip, but will save them for another day, another chapter.

 Melissa (typed by Madeleine)

Saturday, 28 January 2006

The Adventures of Melissa

Chapter 2

Trip on the Airplane

 We were living in Perth and were invited to a wedding in Sydney. I wanted to go on the airplane with Susan and her mom. What an exciting adventure for a buggy. We got the special taxi to the airport and the taxi driver helped us with our luggage. I had no problem cause I was in the back and had a special ramp, just for me. But those humans, they do carry lots of bits and pieces. They had a suitcase, a bag each for on the plane, Madeleine’s handbag and, of all things, white rabbit. Susan refused to go without White Rabbit. And you can see the photo of me and White Rabbit. I guess this is one of the problems of being a buggy, you don’t have any say in who or what gets to ride in you. I mean, a White Rabbit. My job in the world is to help humans – not White Rabbits !!

And look at all the stuff they took with them. All I need is my key. Poor humans.

At the airport, I had to have my battery removed for some silly airplane reason. For some reason, the silly men couldn’t get me apart properly, so Madeleine had to go and help them. They put me in the luggage compartment where I stayed safe and sound til we got to Sydney. Susan told me later that they gave her a wheelchair to get around in until the flight went, and when they called the flight, Susan and her mom got to get on first. How kewl is that. The same thing happened when they arrived in Sydney. They got off the plane first, special treatment for my family, of course. Everyone knows that the family of an electric buggy are particularly special.

 I met up with Susan and her mother and we realised that the train we had to catch next, was due to leave soon. So into another taxi we hopped. Again, me with a special spot in the back. Some taxis realise the importance of buggies and give us a special place in the back.

When we got to the station, we all hopped out, and off the taxi went. As soon as it left, I realised that Susan had left her keys in the taxi. Oh, dear. I don’t work without a key. What shall we do? What shall we do??

 At this stage, a couple of drunks came up to see what the problem was (Madeleine seems to have an affinity with drunks). They helped Madeleine and Susan move me (and the luggage) out of the way. I was stuck. How helpless I felt! I was falling down on my job. I was supposed to look after this little girl and make sure she got around okay.

 A security guard came up to see what was going on. I thought they were going to hit each other. Drunks and security guards just don’t get along even if they all have the same goal (to get me and the two humans on the train).

 To be continued ........................

 Melissa (typed by Madeleine)
Saturday, 28 January 2006

The adventures of Melissa

INTRODUCTION

Hello everyone. My name is Melissa. This is the story of my life.

I am a buggy, gopher, mobility scooter whatever you want to call me. I am one of those things that help people with disabilities and old people get around. I arrived at my owner’s house when she was 12 years old. Her name was Susan and she was a lovely little girl. I stayed with Susan until she died 7 years later. I am a child sized buggy and there are not many of us around. Susan was entranced when I arrived at her house. She used to listen to my motor purring at her and on the first day we met, she named me Melissa.

 Aren’t I beautiful.

 Here you see me with Susan's White Rabbit

 Before she had me, Susan had to be pushed around in a big stroller, which looked kinda funny. Here was this 12 year old girl, who was being pushed around in a stroller.

 I lived with Susan and her mother for 7 years and met an untimely end which I will tell you about later.

 Susan and I had many adventures over our years together and I will tell you about some of them. They are not in any order, just as I remember them.

 Shortly after I arrived at the household, Susan and I had an accident. My motor turns on when you hold down the “power trigger” and stops when you let it go. I do, however, take a few seconds to actually stop. Little Susan didn’t understand that when she first got me and cause she was a kid, she came as close to the glass windows as she could before she stopped. Problem was, I don’t stop immediately. So I ran into the glass window. Poor Susan’s mom, she wasn’t happy that I had gone into the glass window and broken it, but she was so pleased for Susan to be mobile again.

 Anyway, this is my story. I will tell you about my airplane trip, about going back and forth to school and other little stories about my life. Eventually, I will tell you about my demise after Susan died.

 Because I don’t have any fingers and can’t type, I’m letting Susan’s mom, Madeleine, write these stories. But do remember, I, Melissa, am the one telling the stories. She is just writing them down for me.

 Melissa (typed by Madeleine)

Saturday, 28 January 2006