Last post Mon, May 19 2008 11:39 PM by ducky01. 39 replies.
Interesting question...I was wondering the opposite. Any tips for interacting with "abled" people. They always look at me and wonder what is wrong with me, but of course they are afraid to ask. I think that most people do not want to open themselves up to any strangers. Once you get to know someone it is okay to ask them about themselves. I do not however have a caregiver, I often travel alone so I don't get those weird questions asked over my head to the person I am with. We all have our differences. I would no more expect a stranger to ask me about my dis. than I would expect them to ask a fat person why they are fat or an ugly person why they are ugly. We are all people who enjoy hanging with our friends and family no matter what our earthly bodies look like. If we wish to expand our circle of friends we must be the ones to speak up and get to know others.
bunnymay:no patronizing. and don't constantly correct yourself if you use 'walking' in a sentence referring to me, it's a figure of speech and not something that makes me cry inside when I hear it. it's weirder if you say something like "roll this way", so just speak as you would with anyone else.
no patronizing.
and don't constantly correct yourself if you use 'walking' in a sentence referring to me, it's a figure of speech and not something that makes me cry inside when I hear it. it's weirder if you say something like "roll this way", so just speak as you would with anyone else.
*LOL* OMG!! I've got a manuscript (I'm a writer) that I've been running through a peer critique group and have sample chapters with agents. I've had two different people say, "Oh, are you SURE you should say they 'walked' when the guy's in a wheelchair?"
I about want to wet my pants. You can almost see them cringing and it's in email. *LOL* I feel like saying, "Well I could say she walked holding his hand while he rolled to the elevator, but it sounds a lot better just saying they walked to the elevator." *LOL*
I agree with your start Coffeefanatic. I also think that treating them like a normal human being also helps tremendously. A disabled person is just that a person, who may not be as fortunate as others. Sometimes people just have to look past the wheelchair or etc. and see the person within. For me, I hated it when people treat me like dirt, or like I am stupid just because i fall a lot. Thanks for starting this topic, it really makes you think hard and deep.
Bunnymay, that is hilarious. Just go ahead and say LOL as much as you want. I agree that is makes me feel worse when you change your style of speaking because you think it offends me. LOL to your statement laugh all day.
Thank you Randall, you helped me to comprehend my disability differently and think of life in a different light. You are so true. That is my hardest bump in the road, is to tell others what my disability is and why I might act a certain way. Thank you.
I have that same wish Sharonr. I have a question for you though. How do you deal with it, because over time poeples ignorance of my disability gets to me and i just lose it emotionaly. What do you do to prevent that.
Yes, but there can be extremes at both end. If that person is blind, sometimes they still don't want your help, because they have a system and have been taught how to deal with their disabilities. Most of the time, just identify your name and continue becuase your talking with a person who has a disability and isn't dumb of any account.
Exactly! the best way to put the answer to this question is to treat people iwth disabilities like you treat everyone else. Do unto others as you would like to be treated. We are all perfect in God's eyes.
My tip is: DON'T STARE AT ME!
Becky
KaraSwims:I wish walkers would respect what I call my "restricted airspace" or "No fly zone"...you know that 2-3 foot space above my head that makes me shorter than grownup walkers....I HATE it in the cafeteria of the hospital I work in when people totter cups of soup of salads or whatever over my head, reaching for cups, etc.....Just because my body doesn't actually extend up that high I think my space should be respected.
I wish walkers would respect what I call my "restricted airspace" or "No fly zone"...you know that 2-3 foot space above my head that makes me shorter than grownup walkers....I HATE it in the cafeteria of the hospital I work in when people totter cups of soup of salads or whatever over my head, reaching for cups, etc.....Just because my body doesn't actually extend up that high I think my space should be respected.
I am sitting here in my chair cheering at this, Kara! I just attended a dinner theater this weekend, and the server began by asking my companions what I would like to drink. When I spoke up and said, "Hey, just give her coffee with cream and artificial sweetener," she managed to get that point. However, throughout the meal, she proceeded to reach over my head to remove empty plates and such from the person across from me. When she served dessert, I finally complimented her on the scent of her deodorant. "No fly zone," LOL. I like that phrase - hope you don't mind if I use it when I talk to other folks?
hugs from ducky
