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Posted on: Mon, Apr 21 2008 7:14 PM

Posted by: RachelACornell Posts: 30

I am so loving hearing what everyone has to say!  And that elephant cracks me up.

Rachel 

Posted on: Fri, Apr 25 2008 2:02 AM

Posted by: BrokenDoNotUse Posts: 325

I don't mind if children stare, and if they have questions or want to talk I find them very easy to talk with. I used to be one, so it seems I still remember how to relate.  (Could be my brothers being 10, 14 and 21 years younger than me may have something to do with it too!)

Posted on: Fri, Apr 25 2008 2:10 AM

Posted by: Becky Posts: 1,547

Your comments are right on, Rachel. I don't mind at all if a child stares at me. I have several young great nieces and nephews and they have grown up with my prothesis. They still talk about it and stare. I tell them, "It's my helper leg." or I'll say "magic leg." Then I tell them to come and knock on it and listen to the sound it makes. They always knock on my prosthesis now.

It's the adults I mind, the ones who should know better. I got a pretty pink design on my prosthesis, really giving them something to stare at. I deal with it pretty well most days, but some dfays I just stare back. They get the picture.

Posted on: Fri, Apr 25 2008 1:33 PM

Posted by: brucec3 Posts: 146

I don't mind children staring,but when they grab my quad cane I get annoyed. It is the only way I can walk (hobble) and without it I will fall.

Posted on: Fri, Apr 25 2008 2:53 PM

Posted by: ShimasChild Posts: 248

Not at all. I'm at their level after all and my dog always perks up at the sight of a child. She's got such a smiley attitude, she invites children into our space. I love to talk to little kids who are curious, smile and let them know I saw them.

 And your opening post was spot on. Nice to know others feel the same way I do.

Posted on: Mon, Apr 28 2008 7:36 PM

Posted by: htwhlz7 Posts: 1

I do not mind when children look or point at me.  Most children have never seen someone in a wheelchair, so they don't know any better.  I try to make them comfortable by smiling and waving.  I have wheels that light up, so it is a good conversation starter.

Posted on: Mon, Apr 28 2008 7:51 PM

Posted by: Daneen72 Posts: 14

No I don't mind.   I do mind when adults stare or make ridiculous comments like the following: "You walk with aide, excellent!"

Posted on: Mon, Apr 28 2008 7:56 PM

Posted by: REL Posts: 14

I don't mind when children stare. When I was in a children's hospital there were kids who were terrified of my wheelchair with me in it (my favourite kid there was a little girl with CP whose family spoke Spanish and she was terrified of me even though she was in a wheelchair herself. She didn't realize that it was the same thing. But she was adorable and I think I have pictures of her because I befriended her and her family... tangent, sorry)

Children tend to be a LOT more willing to ask questions than adults are. I'm perfectly okay when a kid (or an adult, honestly, if they're polite about it... especially if they have kids or whatever) comes up to me and asks why I use those "metal sticks" or why I'm in a wheelchair or why I walk funny or what have you.

What I hate is when parents hide their kids or tell them not to look at me or ask questions (talk to me!) or anything.

Of course, I'm also that person who looks at the disa counseler, incredibly confused, when she sits there and "reassures" me that everything I submit to her is completely confidential. I just don't view it as something that needs to (or can be!) hidden.

But to answer your question, no I don't. I usually just grin at them and say hello how are you.