Ada Hubrig tweeted this eye-opening thread about how people treat them when they are using their wheelchair. It super disappointing that people who use wheelchairs have to go through this type of treatment. So here are some tips on how to do better, starting with the simple fact, remember wheelchair users are people:
Source: Ada Hubrig
I can’t believe people do any of those! Especially medical professionals.
It’s sad but true. I’m a part-time user, who had to use one almost exclusively for six months. In some places it was great because I could get through crowds because I’m not afraid to say, “excuse me, I just need over there.” Other times people would push me to get to something they wanted without even bothering to say anything. Thankfully I had my overprotective sister with me most of the time who would stand behind me, (I couldn’t move at the speed she walks so she’d push me with my consent) and anyone who DID touch my chair had a very angry woman telling them off for it.
As for medical professionals, I had a nurse automatically start pushing me into the exam room without getting consent first. I was VERY unhappy, but didn’t say anything until I was leaving because I didn’t feel safe commenting when she had access to me. I try to be polite and understanding, but some people will always take it as an attack.
The only answer an onlooker needs about why a person is using a wheelchair can be easily inferred from the presence of the wheelchair itself.
Nobody decent uses a wheelchair for fun, and if someone is asshole enough to do so, it’ll be obvious from their behavior. If someone is in a wheelchair without making a fool of themselves playing with it (as discussed, such play is unlikely), then they’re in the chair because they need it, and that need is all any onlooker needs to understand.
i volunteer at a preschool and one of the kids has a wheelchair. none of the other kids treat them any different because of it, and still include them in playing catch, tag, building with lego blocks, anything. mostly the kids seem impressed by the wheelchair. the kid in question is very skilled with the wheelchair, rarely needs any form of help, and loves to make crafts and eat fruit snacks. I dont know why theyre in a wheelchair, ive never asked, none of the kids have ever asked, frankly i dont think any of the kids care (not in a mean way, just in a “when are we having snacks” way) and i dont really care either. they’re a fun and creative child and that’s all i ever think of them as 🙂