‘A tree grows in myrtle beach’

Photographs can be windows on the world…

They can surpass words and yet speak volumes;

They can be beautiful, horrific, interesting, puzzling and any number of adjectives. 

They can be interpreted in as many ways as there are people in the world. 

But sometimes, they are so clear… yet ambiguous! 

I felt compelled to return to photograph it as it stirred  so many opposing

Feeling in me. I call it ‘A TREE GROWS IN MYRTLE BEACH’- a takeoff on 

If you recall the 1943 classic novel, ‘A Tree Grows In Brooklyn,’ by author Betty Smith is superficially about  living in  tenement housing in impoverished  Brooklyn… and yet having love and support of family! 

It’s about overcoming adversity with what I refer to as the ‘R’ word- Resilience. 

If you have it, (like I do… ) you can withstand nearly anything and survive and be better for having made the journey!  If you don't, life is very very difficult at every turn. 

But, getting back to the photo…
What does this photo say about Myrtle Beach and those who are responsible for the greater good?  

This photo taken in Myrtle Beach, is meant to be a quaint upscale neighborhood dotted with ‘victorian- like row homes’ if you will.

‘All well and good on the surface…. Charming, attractive, and full of character with their ‘eyelid awnings’ protecting small businesses and homes. 

HOWEVER, when I physically encountered this tree, I was shocked! 

I suppose the architects and landscapers of 2007 for the ‘Shops at St. James Square’ were being cutesy. This was built as a mixed use property(ies) with businesses on the ground floor and homes on the second floor.

Well, it clearly raises some profound questions for me! 

Do we prefer nature to human beings?

Do we prefer aesthetics to functionality?

Do we prefer design over safety?

The answer is YES! YES! YES!

Yes, I am a person with a disability who walked  on this street for a  business purpose. 

It’s not even about disability solely. 

Universal design is a very foreign concept in the South. 

In fact, they are barely passable on minimum ADA standards and get away with it all the time! 

Universal design refers to broad-spectrum ideas meant to produce buildings, products and environments that are inherently accessible to older people, people without disabilities and people with disabilities. Thisincludes children seniors, those who are pregnant, those pushing strollers, carrying packages, etc, etc, - EVERYONE!  

The term "universal design" was coined by the architect Ronald L. Mace to describe the concept of designing all products and the built environment to be aesthetic and usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone, regardless of their age, ability, or status in life.

It was the work of Selwyn Goldsmith, author of Designing for the Disabled, who really pioneered the concept of free access for disabled people. His most significant achievement was the creation of the dropped curb - now a standard feature of the built environment.

As life expectancy rises and modern medicine increases the survival rate of those with significant injuries, illnesses, and birth defects, there is a growing interest in universal design. 

There are many industries in which universal design is having strong market penetration but there are many others in which it has not yet been adopted to any great extent. Universal design is also being applied to the design of technology, instruction, services, and other products and environments.

Ignoring the Needs of the Universe

Why this insistence on ignoring the needs of the universe for the sake of a skinny tree?

Maybe it is not as obvious to all…

In this photograph and in person, one can readily see that the pitted older sidewalk and ‘the flow for walking’ is obviously impeded by a tree and a large ‘built in soil depository’ versus a free and clear sidewalk. 

On the left is a curb with no curb cut in sight. 

On the right, is a patch of grass and a couple of inches of sidewalk that is not level with the grass.

Immediately behind where I stood with my rollator, was a skinny black light pole anchored smack in the middle of the sidewalk, but with slightly more room to walk/pass on the right.

At  the end of the street and around the corner, was a ‘rolling, dipping sidewalk’ which reminded me of a roller coaster - also dangerous! 

I have tried and tried and tried in so many ways… And yet deaf ears prevail.

‘Just be aware that when you visit the sun and sand of Myrtle Beach, there is also… the other side of the coin that reeks of indifference and adversity!