I guess you could say that I‘ve taken a different tack when it comes to getting my fuel pumped. In my 28 years in a wheelchair and the ten plus different places I have lived, my modus operandi has been to pick a place near my home and another near where I work and get to know the owners and employees. In the days before cell phones I relied on them recognizing my car, but now I keep their phone numbers in my phone and call them while I pull up to the pump. In reality, they often notice my car and are on their way out the door to fill my tank before I even have the chance call them.
Away from home and away from my routines, I usually do one of two things to get my tank filled. One, I just pull up to the pump opposite of someone else filling their tank and ask if they can help me out. In all my years of doing this, I have only been turned down once and a person that overheard this conversation then volunteered to help. Two, I will drive up to the station’s window that the employees 
are at and wave my handicapped placard. I’ve found that at least one out of these two approaches works for me a majority of the time.
Most stations have a sign posted when you pull up that says honk for assistance or a button to push. This is another option that you can try, but in my experience it’s rarely effective. I have found that a more personal approach works much better.
Getting your motor running is not a matter of luck; it is a matter of planning. Get to know the owners/employees and becoming part of their routine. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Too many of us blockheads, myself included, are reluctant to ask for help especially when we could really use it.
How do you fuel up?
Photo courtesy: Svadilfari
Recent Comments