15. A House with 11 Families

In grandparents’ neighborhood, there was two story house with 11 families living in it. Opening of the outhouse was to the alley. A line of people waiting to use the toilet was formed in front of it every morning. Not a single day would pass without some type of turmoil in that house. A couple would yell at each other, pots and dishes were flying, and kids would cry or scream.

 

In other days, they had happy moments. In hot summer day, someone brought a large watermelon, someone else would bring a chunk of ice held by a string. They put a large nail on top of the ice chunk and hit it with a hammer to break it into small pieces. They would cut up the watermelon, add sugar substitute, make a large bowl of watermelon punch, and share them. In sticky rainy day, someone would fry spicy Korean Kimchi pancake, or make a soup with chopped zucchini and thick noodle. They always shared the food they made. 

 

It was difficult time for many. Kimchi was like meat and potatoes for American. Kimchi and rice were the main food supply. For winter, people preserved large supply of Kimchi. Those who did not prepare enough would run out of Kimchi in the middle of winter. They would go around the neighbor and begged for Kimchi. Grandma used to give them some of her Kimchi. 

 

There is an English expression “out of sight, out of mind.” If the person is out of your sight, that person will be out of your mind. While I was at grandparents’ house, father gave all his attention to my brother. He took him to the bathhouse, barber shop, and the movies. 

 

During 1966 England World Cup, North Korea beat Italy 1 to 0 and moved up to the top eight. Their next opponent was Brazil who beat Portugal. North Korea surprised Brazil and led 3 to 0 in first half. In second half, they gave up 5 goals and lost, 5-3. They were showing high-lights of this World Cup games in the movie theatre. My brother went with father. Later, I learned about the North Korean game from him. 

 

In return, father expected a lot from my brother. He thought a boy needed to be strong and demanded a lot from him. Father felt he was not enough. He scolded him over this and that, and even hit him every once in a while. 

 

I went to our home in Gu Pa Bal after we got the electricity. I got to use the wheelchair for the first time. I went to the shop that made wheelchairs and other durable equipment for the disabled with mother. The owner was a disabled person. He walked with crutches. He tested my arm strength and suggested both crutches and a wheelchair. With the practice, he thought, I could walk with the crutches. Maybe he just wanted to sell both and made more money. 

 

Mother wanted to order either one, not both. She asked me which one, crutches or a wheelchair, I would prefer. I was very shy and timid, and could not express myself well then. I showed her the motion of using crutches with my arms. She thought I was showing her the motion of pushing the wheels. So, she ordered the wheelchair. 

 

The wheelchair we ordered was made with iron and had bicycle tires. It was heavy. I had to clean it and oil it regularly and take care of it. And I didn’t. In a couplf of years, it got rusty and I could not use it anymore. 

 

Our house was huge compared to Grandparents’ house. The rooms were bigger and the living room was spacious. It was too big for me to push myself around on the floor. The wheelchair gave me the freedom of moving around the house. It was a western style modern home. Nevertheless, there were many obstacles. The door of the room had frame at the bottom, a bump for the wheelchair. Bathroom had a step and the front porch also had stairs. 

 

In 90’s, I got the first place in literary contest sponsored by Overseas Koreans Foundation and visited Korea. I stayed at Amiga Hotel in Kang Nam. There was a step in the bathroom entrance. You had to go up one step and then step down to get in. The step had no functional needs. They had to place a ply wood on both sides for me to use the bathroom. 

 

I saw many other unnecessary step(s) placed in the entrance of buildings and businesses there. It looks nice and that’s about it. They don’t think about the seniors, disabled, and moms with baby carriers. My father who had a disabled son built a house and it was inconvenient for me. I never used a bathroom there once. He promised he would put concrete walkway in the yard so that I could go around the flowerbeds. He never kept that promise. Later, he built a bigger house in Byeok Jae and that house also had step(s). I know it was not intentional. People simply had no concept on universal design then.