I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T

We are raising an independent woman in a wheelchair.

If you said the title by singing it, then we are definitely friends. It's a Webbie thing. LOL. 

We are in fact raising a woman, and as most parents we want our child to grow up as a strong, God-loving, lovable, independent woman. It's just a tad bit harder though when your child depends on a wheelchair to get around. It's her lifeline to accessibility. We tell V all the time, sure strangers open the doors for you, move out of the way for you and even go out of their way to ensure your able to get around without you having to ask now (she's a child in a wheelchair, empathy just follows her around) but as you get older that won't always be the case. 

For some unknown reason, either that be because people worry about offending those with a handicap, or if inclusion really does mean doing everything by yourself when your disabled, I've noticed that adults with handicaps aren't prone to having doors opened or pathways cleared. So, we are teaching V to use her voice, advocate for herself, it's o.k. to ask for help when you need help. Not all doors have the push button for wheelchairs and walkers so if you need assistance speak up, we have found that most people quickly assist when they are given the o.k. to. 

Advocacy is a part of being independent, it's an important part of growing up for any children. It's just as important when your an adult too. Raising an independent woman in a wheelchair can have it's challenges but it goes without saying that there have been plenty of independent woman before her, and many that will learn from V after her as well. Ironically, each one paving the way for the one to come behind them, making it more accessible, more appropriate for all handicaps, after-all, accessibility isn't a privilege it's a right!