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Posted on: Thu, Apr 24 2008 2:05 PM

Posted by: RachelACornell Posts: 30

I dig the idea of polls.

Here's how I feel.

Most of the time it's great.  I think we should all hold the door for someone, if we can, who's a few beats behind us.  I do not care if a man holds a door for me, I think that's nice.  I don't care if someone holds the door for me if they see I'm sight impaired, mostly it's all good.

I do sometimes feel funny when someone scrambles to the door to catch it for me as if I CAN'T do it for myself, because in my case I CAN do it myself. 

Sometimes it feels a wee bit strange when I feel as if someone is doing their "good deed for the day" by helping the poor blind girl get through the door.  I think in this case it might more likely be my stuff though, and not nessisarly the door holders.

Anyway, what are your thoughts?

Again, I love putting your thought on my blog http://whynotrachel.wordpress.com.  If for any reason you don't want me to put your comments there, tell me and I wont!

All my best,

Rachel

Posted on: Thu, Apr 24 2008 2:27 PM

Posted by: Nightengale Posts: 665

It's a nice gesture.

WIth my balance and mobility issues it's usually easier for me to open the door for myself.   I use the weight of the door as support while walking thorugh it.  When someone holds the door for me I have trouble judging the distance and often feel I am going to smack into them with myself, my cane or the luggage rack sometimes use for my bag.  

So often I will say to people "I've got it" or wait for them to clcose the door and then reopen it myself, or if there are a couple of doors next to each other I will open one myself instead of the one they are holding open for me.  Then they give me angry looks because I have rebuffed their nice gesture.

But the thing is, like so many other times the non-disabled offer to help the disabled - it's nice to offer.  It is not nice to try to force the offer, rather that is condescending and rude.

Occasionally I have run across a door that is too heavy for me to open and have to ask for help.  At that point I think it's great if someone helps out!  (One time a security guard kept telling me it was "open" meaning "unlocked" and I ended up falling down trying to open it myself.  Oh well.)

Posted on: Thu, Apr 24 2008 2:49 PM

Posted by: Whitney Posts: 679

If I've got my arms and chair full of kids, its great.  But like you said, people falling over themselves and other people to open it is a little irritating.  I do have the ability to open my own doors.  I'm one though that has to remind myself that the blessings of heaven are poured onto those of good intention, even if I can do it myself, and I bite my lip the whole time.

The world is what you make of it, friend. If it doesn't fit, you make alterations. ~~~ Stella (Silverado)







www.lazyladybugdesigns.com

Posted on: Thu, Apr 24 2008 2:59 PM

Posted by: TriDog Posts: 1,713

I'll start by saying that I was trained by my Dad to always open the door for a woman.  Even if it means I have to rush in front of them to do it.  Even if it's someone I don't know.  If I'm going through a door, I always  look back over my shoulder to see if anyone is coming,  If someone is close by, I will usually stall and hold the door open with my crutch.

I've had one women get offend and said "I can get my own door" in a very snotty voice.  I usually tell them.  Well, with that attitude, I wouldn't expect you've ever met a real man 

However, if someone is in front of me and holds the door for me, I offer a quick "thanks" and don't make a big deal of it.  

Posted on: Thu, Apr 24 2008 5:05 PM

Posted by: cudachaser Posts: 1,484

 I'm always very appreciative of the gesture

Joe 

Posted on: Thu, Apr 24 2008 5:21 PM

Posted by: wheels4law Posts: 312

As with most things in life, it depends on the situation.  I am a person with a severe disability, so opening any door myself is impossible.  I think it depends on how they offer assistance.  If someone is being condescending and smothering, I try to provide a slight learning experience.  If they mean well but are just being a annoying I just let it go.

Similar to people opening the door for me, I frequently get offered assistance with crossing the street.  Usually I just say thank you, I'm okay and their charitable instincts have been satisfied.  However once I was rolling home from law school and a New York City Meter Maid (person that gives parking tickets) was being very insistent on helping me.  After three or four rounds of "do you need help" "no I'm okay," we ended up in a classic Brooklyn street argument.  I recall informing her that I was on my way home from Brooklyn Law school and was probably smarter than anyone she had ever met.  Surprisingly there was no profanity and we each got our points across.  Most often I do not get that angry but I saw her on a regular basis and it bothered me that a public employee was not better trained.  Anyway, a good argument is helpful to the circulatory system!

Posted on: Thu, Apr 24 2008 5:58 PM

Posted by: ShimasChild Posts: 248

Doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I appreciate it very much.

Posted on: Thu, Apr 24 2008 6:20 PM

Posted by: rainey826 Posts: 2,633

NO NOT AT ALL ~ I SAY THANK YOU WITH A GREAT BIG SMILE , THERE TIMES WE ALL COULD USE A EXTRA HAND ~~~~~~~~~~RAINEY