View Full Version : "I'm really not a wheelchair-type person..."
Theophania
06-21-2007, 02:27 PM
I've been experimenting with saying this when meeting new AB's lately, partially as a joke and partially seriously, and it really seems to drive home to AB's that they don't really have to treat me any differently.
Craziness I tell ye!
Rbrauer
06-21-2007, 02:32 PM
I had made some new friends and was over at their home visiting the first time. When someone called for me over the phone.
"Yeah, he's standing right over here" Dunc said..
"IT'S A MIRACLE!" I proclaimed throwing my arms above my head.
He had a awful look on his face.. like he stepped into something.
priceless
Theophania
06-21-2007, 02:38 PM
I had made some new friends and was over at their home visiting the first time. When someone called for me over the phone.
"Yeah, he's standing right over here" Dunc said..
"IT'S A MIRACLE!" I proclaimed throwing my arms above my head.
He had a awful look on his face.. like he stepped into something.
priceless
haha! thats awesome!
Timaru
06-21-2007, 02:41 PM
"I'm really not a wheelchair-type person..."
Nah.... nor me, more Range Rover and green wellies.
Theophania
06-21-2007, 02:43 PM
"I'm really not a wheelchair-type person..."
Nah.... nor me, more Range Rover and green wellies.
:D
i'm more an audi TT type gal myself. silver, convertible top.
2jazzyjeff
06-21-2007, 03:11 PM
I'm really not a wheelchair-type person..."Me neither.. I reckon that's why I always say, ''Let me walk you out'' and whenever we're at any function I'll say, ''Let's walk over here'' until the 1st sign of some steps and that's the grim reminder... :(
Kratos
06-21-2007, 03:14 PM
is there really a wheelchair-type of person?
Theophania
06-21-2007, 03:17 PM
is there really a wheelchair-type of person?
no. that's the point, but some ignorant AB's need simplistic statements like that to get through their hard noggins.
Curt Leatherbee
06-21-2007, 04:50 PM
Thats a very interesting statement, I think I am going to try that next time somebody comes out of left field asking "What happened to you", great idea Theo. It probabley helps out because then to them we are not the others "like as in you people" but we are more infact like them, if that makes any sense, lol. :)
Btw, love your new avatar
Theophania
06-21-2007, 05:44 PM
thx curt :)
adi chicago
06-21-2007, 06:07 PM
we became sort of aliens to ab `s point of view.
shame on them.i cannot walk but my brain still works ...much better than some ab `s brain and education.
westcoast_gc
06-21-2007, 06:11 PM
After much though, I'm not a much of a wheelchair person either. Wheelchairs are so over rated:o
Theophania
06-21-2007, 06:14 PM
After much though, I'm not a much of a wheelchair person either. Wheelchairs are so over rated:o
totally.
A wheelchair is a tool. We use it everyday to make life easier. It gives up mobility. In that way it is just like a car.
I'm not really sure what a "wheelchair-type person" is other than the fact that you use a wheelchair. So if you use a wheelchair aren't you automatically a "wheelchair-type person"?
bob clark
06-22-2007, 12:06 PM
A wheelchair is a tool. We use it everyday to make life easier. It gives up mobility. In that way it is just like a car.
I use a "borrowed" shopping cart and two broom handles.
Bob.
Theophania
06-22-2007, 01:51 PM
A wheelchair is a tool. We use it everyday to make life easier. It gives up mobility. In that way it is just like a car.
I'm not really sure what a "wheelchair-type person" is other than the fact that you use a wheelchair. So if you use a wheelchair aren't you automatically a "wheelchair-type person"?
thats the sarcastic nature of the statement. no one is really a wheelchair-type person. if u can get an ignorant AB to see youre not a wc-type person, then next, stress to them that NO ONE really is...and then youre on the road to changing how they percieve people with mobility impairments.
sjean423
06-22-2007, 02:10 PM
Exactly. Some people DO think that there is a "wheel chair type person". I like your idea to get them thinking T.
Tiger Racing
06-22-2007, 02:19 PM
Some people DO think that there is a "wheel chair type person".
There are? And what do those people think a "wheel chair type person" is?
C.
Juke_spin
06-22-2007, 02:26 PM
There are? And what do those people think a "wheel chair type person" is?
C.
Any and everybody they only see in wheelchairs. It makes for a comfortable way to catagorize and forget about "wheelchair people".
How do you think it came about that Curt's mother and relatives won't contribute to stem cell legislation or research?
Yep, I agree Betheny. Even the little things sometime bother me, like how one family still totally supports Bush and thinks he has done all the right things, she's not a methhead, but a meathead, lol. It bothers me too that no family members ever say thats horrible news about the Bush Stem Cell Veto, it would mean so much to me if only they could understand how important this is to me. But no, they just think I am good ole Curt in the wheelchair for the rest of his life. Most of my family members wont support research at all.
Even my own Mother who inherited millions of dollars a few years back argued with me about buying a $25.00 raffle ticket for the rally we had in NYC last summer. All she wanted to know was what she could win? and when it was not what she wanted to hear, she refused to buy the ticket. Unreal.
NoDecafPlz
06-22-2007, 02:50 PM
Maybe it is because I was injured at 31 and have more patience and understanding of putting myself in another's place, but I don't see the world in AB/DA. If someone is acting ignorant on purpose, I realize he/she is probably an asshole in more areas also. If a person is just confused or trying to do the right thing, it's an opportunity to educate. <shrugs>
Juke_spin
06-22-2007, 03:35 PM
Maybe it is because I was injured at 31 and have more patience and understanding of putting myself in another's place, but I don't see the world in AB/DA. If someone is acting ignorant on purpose, I realize he/she is probably an asshole in more areas also. If a person is just confused or trying to do the right thing, it's an opportunity to educate. <shrugs>
That's because you're so exceptionally well adjusted, Joe.;):D
harley-lynn
06-22-2007, 05:35 PM
...I only see people using wheelchairs to get around which is different than "wheelchair people" which sounds weird like they were born with a wheelchair stuck to their A$$ (sorry, don't want to offend but...I hate that term)...To me it's the person that counts not the w/c...I'll talk to anybody...doesn't matter...People are people, the w/c doesn't make the person...like it's been say, It's a tool to get around...
Foolish Old
06-22-2007, 05:51 PM
I am a wheelchair person. I am meek and dependent, and oh so sad... Wait, that pretty woman wants to buy me a cocktail and sit in my lap...maybe I can go on with this sad existence one more miserable day, ...somehow:D
I am a wheelchair person. I am meek and dependent, and oh so sad... Wait, that pretty woman wants to buy me a cocktail and sit in my lap...maybe I can go on with this sad existence one more miserable day, ...somehow:D
Meet a few women the other day at disability congress, and hey how cold they smoke cigarettes and party, I was in shock :thinking:
NoDecafPlz
06-22-2007, 06:20 PM
That's because you're so exceptionally well adjusted, Joe.;):D
You should be in my van when I drive.
I motherfuck EVERYONE who can't drive.
Jersey is a crowded place and the odds are...
Curt Leatherbee
06-22-2007, 07:04 PM
Any and everybody they only see in wheelchairs. It makes for a comfortable way to catagorize and forget about "wheelchair people".
How do you think it came about that Curt's mother and relatives won't contribute to stem cell legislation or research?
I had posted this under a different topic. But I can tell you the reasons. #1) She apparently does not believe any curative therapies are possible because she has seen me in the wheelchair for over 26 years now #2) she is tight with the dollar, she needs new tires on a 9 year old car I bought her new as they are the originals with 82,000 miles and she cant bring herself to spend the money to replace them, lol.
There are? And what do those people think a "wheel chair type person" is?
C.
A person. A person like I was and a person I am and always been or will be, right? I understand you’re arguments here and there, but I agree on the person thing, at least, what other options are there? Other than to be just a person.
Juke_spin
06-22-2007, 07:36 PM
I had posted this under a different topic. But I can tell you the reasons. #1) She apparently does not believe any curative therapies are possible because she has seen me in the wheelchair for over 26 years now #2) she is tight with the dollar, she needs new tires on a 9 year old car I bought her new as they are the originals with 82,000 miles and she cant bring herself to spend the money to replace them, lol.
Lol indeed, Curt. I'm posting the original message to put the new tire expense in perspective:
Originally Posted by Curt Leatherbee
Even my own Mother who inherited millions of dollars a few years back argued with me about buying a $25.00 raffle ticket for the rally we had in NYC last summer. All she wanted to know was what she could win? and when it was not what she wanted to hear, she refused to buy the ticket. Unreal.
Edit: Holy shnikies, those tires have lasted her 82,000 miles?
JakeHalsted
06-22-2007, 08:01 PM
I usually start off by leting people know that they need to treat me differently. For instance...I tell a few "wheelchair jokes."
The first thing is the toilet parking...you know, the blue guy on the toilet? :zombie:
Don't like somebody in the office? Wanna make them feel special? Roll over the feet ;) :nono:
ya gotta love the "stand up" comedy routine...you know what I just can't seem to do? stand up :))) crap :mega:
JakeHalsted
06-22-2007, 08:03 PM
seriously...there are quite a few options
lonely? get a dog at the shelter :) companionship....24 hours a day!
let's see...there's always "rent a friend" ;)
sjean423
06-22-2007, 09:39 PM
There are? And what do those people think a "wheel chair type person" is?
C.
You missed the "exactly". I was agreeing with Tiff and her semi sarcastic way to get people thinking. Some people see just the chair, and not the individual. The same people who ask your companion what you want to eat in a restaurant, or raise their voice and talk veeeerrryyy sllloooowwwly and use simple words. Or simply look past you b/c they don;t want to see the chair or the disability. I thought it was a great way to get people to consider the stereotypes they were making.
westcoast_gc
06-22-2007, 11:01 PM
Sometimes people get too serious. I like JazzyJ's point of view. Life is a joke, get in it :D Can't change our situation, so have some fun peeps :mega:
Gendo
06-22-2007, 11:29 PM
"I'm really not a wheelchair-type person..."
I just tell people I'm really, really lazy...works the trick
Theophania
06-23-2007, 12:34 AM
"I'm really not a wheelchair-type person..."
I just tell people I'm really, really lazy...works the trick
ha! ive used that line too. it's brilliant!
Curt Leatherbee
06-23-2007, 12:41 AM
Lol indeed, Curt. I'm posting the original message to put the new tire expense in perspective:
Edit: Holy shnikies, those tires have lasted her 82,000 miles?
Yep, its amazing, she does not drive over 45 mph, lol. there is actually still tread on them. I gotta take a look at them again and note what kind of tires they are, lol. If it were me though, I'd replace them just because of their age and mileage, I keep trying to tell her that. I go through a set of tires every 30,000 miles or so.
2jazzyjeff
06-23-2007, 01:17 AM
Sometimes people get too serious. I like JazzyJ's point of view. Life is a joke, get in it :D Damn.. can't believe someone remembered that, kewl. :) BTW, I made that up and I believe it was TR that knocked me for it months back. My apologies if I'm mistaken. And I do think it's a joke.. just not the way it sounds at 1st. Show me the biggest asshole and I betcha' I'll have him/her laffing instantly. If I didn't have a great sense of humor, I really think I'd be having a hard time daily, but anyone that has met me here knows.............I'm good.:D
Tiger Racing
06-23-2007, 03:55 AM
You missed the "exactly".
No, I didn't. Just because I didn't quote every syllable of your post, doesn't mean that I didn't read it.
I was agreeing with Tiff and her semi sarcastic way to get people thinking.
Yeah, I got that. I was asking you to expand on the statement you made and the meaning behind it. You sort of do below, but it's more that you give examples of how some people have apparently treated you. You didn't actually explain what you think they are thinking. That is left to be inferred. I was trying to avoid that.
Some people see just the chair, and not the individual. The same people who ask your companion what you want to eat in a restaurant, or raise their voice and talk veeeerrryyy sllloooowwwly and use simple words. Or simply look past you b/c they don;t want to see the chair or the disability.
I'm sure that all those things still happen on occasion, but my own experience leads me to believe that they are the exception and not the rule. Most AB people do NOT mistreat, disrespect, ignore, pity, look down on or otherwise abuse people with disabilities. It sux when it does happen, but it's not the norm.
I thought it was a great way to get people to consider the stereotypes they were making.
Do you not see a bit of stereotyping of AB people going on in this thread?
I agree with the poster who said that he doesn't see the world as AB and disabled. That isn't the single most important, or even most defining, characteristic that I look for in people. I label myself as a "person with a disability", but it isn't the first thing I tell people about myself or the first thing that comes to mind when I think about myself. It strikes me as odd that others seem to see this differently. It strikes me as ironic that some disabled people hate being defined as such and yet segregate the world into us vs them with AB people being their opposition.
C.
Tiger Racing
06-23-2007, 03:58 AM
BTW, I made that up and I believe it was TR that knocked me for it months back. My apologies if I'm mistaken.
Hmm... it's not ringing any bells. I don't remember hearing you say that before. I also can't think of why I would have knocked you for it. It's funny enough.
C.
sjean423
06-25-2007, 04:47 PM
Do you not see a bit of stereotyping of AB people going on in this thread?
I'm sure there is.
It's still a good line Tiff.
bob clark
06-25-2007, 07:43 PM
I don't find that people treat me as a "wheelchair person". Ocassionally someone will open or hold open a door for me although I'm perfectly capable of opening practically any door myself and I just tell them "Thank you". No big deal. It probably saves the door from getting a bit scratched and makes the "good Samaritan" feel as though they've helped someone. Again, no big deal.
I think it's how you present yourself that may cause ABs to sense a vibe that you're different. I'm fairly assertive and go about my business as usual. I'm usually perfectly able to get things down from a high shelf using my armrest but if someone is there and wants to help, hey, cool by me.
Bob.
... but if someone is there and wants to help, hey, cool by me.
Bob.It is cool, but some are...
As long as I don’t roll over someone’s toes, enough these days for that one, but my inside of ankle is not too good, been bad for a month or so, got some tips here at this forum and will see doc about it, a bad scratch going not so good, smells not good, think I need to ask doc about it. Circulation in legs is not the best. Lower not any as I see it.