Why do people who walk swing their arms when they walk; but not when they are carrying things? I have been told that people swing their arms for balance, doesn't holding things make you more unbalanced?
If you see a disabled person who looks like they need help ask them if they want help before you jump in an help them. My best friend's husband has a bad habit of helping me when I don't need it. Sometimes when I am struggling to do something it is just a matter of me learning how to do it.
The best example I can think of is when I am getting into a vehicle for the first time. I don't know if any able bodied person notices that every car seat is a little bit different. There are slightly different approaches I take to getting into different kinds of seats. Sometimes struggling is a good thing; allow a disabled person the chance to experience something different if they choose to.
I have often wondered why people stare at me? Am I that ugly or it it just cause I am disabled? And if it's because I am disabled, why stare?
For those who are parents, if your child has questions about people who are disabled talk to them about it. And if the child asks what's wrong with the disabled person; it might be a good idea to ask the disabled person if they are OK with talking about their disability.
I don't know how many times I have been out somewhere and have heard a child ask their parent's what's wrong with him (as they are pointing their fingers at me usually) and the parent just shushes them and pulls them away from where I am.
I am not much of a kid person but I do enjoy it when a child asks me about my disability.
I have often times wondered what it would feel like to walk like most people do. I can't imagine standing with no braces and no walker. I have tried to imagine it and I just can't. And I have wondered if anyone has tried to imagine what it is like to be me.
I have seen and experienced many things that I don't think able bodied people experience much. The weirdest might have been once as I was wheeling down a road in Tampa a car with four african American stopped their car beside me and asked me if they could pray over me. I said "sure why not" and they proceeded to get out of the car and surround me and pray for me.
The most amusing thing ever was when in high school Missy Wilson came up to me one day, blushing, and asked if she could ask me a question. I replied yes. She blushed a little more and asked me" how do I go to the bathroom?" At the time I was using braces and a walker and I asked her of she new how other guys went to the bathroom. She said that she did and I told her that is how I did it too. Every time I think of that conversation I chuckle.
I haven't seen her name on Facebook or on any high school related site. I hope she has had a good life.
Finally, for any disabled person who may be reading this: if someone is carrying you up a flight of stairs NEVER crack a joke that makes that person laugh. I have done that and believe me it is a dangerous thing to do.
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