Quote:
Originally Posted by Deskisamess
No, I'm not in a wheelchair. I do have a good friend who is, 24/7, due to worsening MS. People get nervous and awkward around wheelchairs. I'd suggest trying to give strangers some of the same understanding you wish they had for you.
|
I'm not going to pander to people who are "nervous and awkward" around wheelchair users any more than I'm going to pander to people who feel "nervous and awkward" around black people, or gay people, or people who are visibly of a different religion from themselves. Their anxiety about people from marginalised groups is their problem, not mine.
If they feel so anxious, why not just treat me like every other person in the place, and walk on by? Or if we are in a small talk situation, use the same small talk they would with anyone else? It really is not hard: humans are humans. And most people seem to manage normal interactions just fine. Today a random stranger complimented me on my fabulous shoes[1]. They didn't seem at all awkward or nervous about it.
[1]
https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Martens-Wo.../dp/B00LFMUJB2