Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Alan.Hess From: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Hess) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: What should I do? Message-ID: <12552@bunker.UUCP> Date: 28 Jun 90 16:57:49 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD Lines: 36 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 8967 [This is from the Spinal Injury Conference] In a message of Wayne Finlay (1:250/712@fidonet) writes: WF:>Hi! WF:> I've been reading this echo for the past month or so and find it WF:>very touching. The strength that those of you with serious spinal cord WF:>injuries exhibit through your messages really make me believe WF:> in the will power of humans. I have one problem though. I am a fully WF:>mobile person. I jump, run and play....I'm in good health. What I'm WF:>lacking is the ability to deal comfortably with people in wheel WF:>chairs. This may sound stupid but I really don't feel comfortable WF:>around people in wheel chairs. I'd like to hear from people who are in WF:>wheel chairs and I ask that u tell me something about how I can get WF:>over this disability towards you. In my case, I just want to be treated like anyone else. As much as possible, pretend the chair doesn't exist. If I say something you think is stupid, say so - don't hold back your true feelings just because of my disability. I'm still human, and want to be treated as such. Just remember that wheelchair-users are still individuals - we won't all react the same to identical situations. WF:>For example, if I see someone on the street in a manual wheel chair WF:>and if this person is going in the same direction as I am should I WF:>offer to push him/her? (I'd do this since I'm that sort of person, WF:>but is it proper?) WF:> Tricky. I personally would appreciate the offer, but many others would resent it. Tough call there. *adh* -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Alan.Hess Internet: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org