Let me ask you a question. When you look at someone in a wheelchair, what do you think? Genuinely, what do you REALLY think? Are you filled with sympathy? Do you wonder what happened that got them there? Do you think, I'm so glad that's not me? Maybe you think, how can I help them? or tell yourself not to stare and not to ask what happened because it's none of your business after-all. If I'm being totally honest all of those thoughts were mine at one time or another...BEFORE, before I now know the answers to those questions being on the other side of those thoughts.
It's easy to wonder, people in general are the curious type. It's not o.k. to ask though, believe me when I tell you how truly offensive it is to have a thought that something is "wrong" with the person sitting in the wheelchair. Truth be told there is nothing wrong them, none, of them. You don't ask a person that drives a Ford what's wrong them because that's how they get from point A to point B do you? So, it's no different than those that use a wheelchair to get around, nothing is wrong with them. They don't want your sympathy, no need to feel sorry for them, for most they have come to embrace their way of life. Empathy, however, empathy, is welcome. It's easy to look at someone who in your opinion has to do things in way that may seem "harder", but who's to say it's really harder for all you know walking around Disney World in Florida heat may seem "harder" to them than sitting and enjoying the ride.
It's important to remember to emphasize with all and sympathize with none. Hold a door open, step out of the way perhaps, but don't look down on (pun intended) those that use wheels to get around, as we've grown to learn it's "wheel-ly" not a bad gig after-all. Have questions? Please feel free to ask. It's a safe space here to ask the questions you might not feel comfortable asking anyone else.
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