Nellie was the best friend I've ever had. And I used her up and gave her away for a fashier model. Nellie was my first wheelchair. I had dreaded using the wheelchair. It meant I would finally have to admit to myself that I really was disabled. It was like a surrender of sorts. This journey into the great unknown from which I could never come back. And the unknown? It just had to be bad! But Nellie was anything but bad. I named my wheelchair because all my friends were naming their cars and I was jealous. I didn't have a car, but I had a wheelchair. A pretty darn cool wheelchair, at that, so I decided to name her. I christened her Nellie because I had used the phrase, "Whoa Nellie!" way too much when I drove her around. (I am a consummate bad driver; I once ran head-on into a support pillar of a building while I was running at top speed and fiddling with my CD player. I was thrown from the chair and I think I scraped my knees, but I was no worse for the wear! I mean, how much damage can be done at 5mph? Nevermind, now that I think of all the property I've damaged and walls and doors I have dented and scratched. I caused a lot of destruction!) Nellie and I definitely wrecked some havoc. We've ruined a good number of lawns. I've ridden her up steep hills I had no business riding her on. I have raced her all over. I am sure I made many people scared of me with my speed and recklessness. Nelle really was my best friend. She went on dates with me. She stalked cute boys with me. She went to class late and took tests with me. She watched me cry when I let a stupid boy break my heart. She was there when I let my roommate ride with me on my lap. She went to football games and parties with me. We did a lot together. I retired Nellie last year whn I got a new chair, Missy - short for Miss Rachel... I like Missy. She has shocks and an awesome turning radius, but I still think of Nellie all the time. I know she is in a good place, (I donated her to the MDA.) but I miss her. Sometimes, I wish I had kept her. a