My wheelchair
How many times have I heard «I’m so glad I don’t have to be in a wheelchair » or « You are too good looking for a wheelchair » or People thinking you can’t handle anything. It makes the wheelchair user wonder why he needs to sit in this wheelchair … Many people feel an awkward struggle with choosing their words around me. There’s no need to alter your language. It’s okay to say, “Let’s take a walk” I remember when I used to HATE it. I was frustrated and I was overwhelmed because I didn't know why this was happening to ME! I used to walk to go to work, enjoy life, I just couldn't understand why…It was very hard to wake up and to get into that thing again? One day I came across a quote from C.S. Lewis that says, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”. It was either adapt and adjust and be willing to get uncomfortable or miss out on this amazing life. But the last thing I needed was Sympathy – and worse, pity – it doesn’t make things better, it only makes able people feel better about themselves. People need to understand that wheelchair users are people like everyone else whether they are good-looking or not should not be discussed. Naturally, we don’t ask an able-bodied person that you are good-looking, one might feel wired. Dear able bodies, you know what, I can do anything you can do, I’m just in the seated position. We are all just people. We CAN do anything!
