Have you ever been around someone with a special ability and been uncomfortable? Not quite sure of how to act? I think we all have. These are Grace’s top 5 things that people do to tick her off in the area of being in a wheelchair. I’m not saying that everyone in her position feels this way, but some may apply to others.
1.Don’t speak directly to the person with the disability……….don’t know how often this happens to Grace. For some reason when people see a child in a wheelchair they automatically think they have both physical and mental disabilities. She has been completely ignored by waiters, sales people, teachers ( that don’t know her yet) even her own doctors and some family members. Of all people she is not one to ignore. She has been yakking for most of her life. She may not have been able to crawl or walk on time, but she could talk way too early.
2.Stop directly in front of them….. Now I know this can’t always be helped, in a crowd especially, Grace usually doesn’t follow too closely, well in part because the view of most hind ends isn’t all that attractive. She also is in a power chair not a car with breaks. If you stop quickly she’s going to goose you! Her chair doesn’t have breaks it just loses power when she lets off the joystick.
3. Talk about her as if she can’t hear you……. Now of course this goes for people with any ability. But for some reason ( see #1 above) hearing is also an ability people don’t seem to think Grace has. Seriously, if she’s close she can hear you. She knows she’s in a wheelchair so you announcing “hey look that girl’s in a wheelchair!!” isn’t usually news to her. She went to a concert last summer and someone even asked her friend that was with her to tell Grace to move out of their way………all I can say is I’m sure Grace’s chair didn’t stop quickly if that girl walked in front of her .
4. Assume they’re sweet. Now I would think Grace looks sweet, but she’s not always what people expect. She’s not rude, but she has a very quick wit and will surprise you. Thankfully she doesn’t say everything she thinks, but honestly, people in chairs are just like everyone else. Some are sweet, mean, funny etc..
5. Don’t forget them. This year Grace is in a leadership class. They plan outings, school dances etc. Now I know most people don’t deal with special abilities, but when one is in your group, remember they’re there. Someone in the class found a very nice venue for this year’s prom. Only thing was there was no way Grace would be able to attend. There were no ramps, or elevators. They were even considering having the dinner on a second floor that had no access. It wasn’t intentional and it was a really cool place, but they forgot that everyone can’t use stairs. She knows the entire world doesn’t have to change for her abilities, but it’s nice when someone remembers.
Ok I’m not going to be negative forever: stay tuned for the 5 things that make Grace the happiest when someone deals with her condition.
1.Don’t speak directly to the person with the disability……….don’t know how often this happens to Grace. For some reason when people see a child in a wheelchair they automatically think they have both physical and mental disabilities. She has been completely ignored by waiters, sales people, teachers ( that don’t know her yet) even her own doctors and some family members. Of all people she is not one to ignore. She has been yakking for most of her life. She may not have been able to crawl or walk on time, but she could talk way too early.
2.Stop directly in front of them….. Now I know this can’t always be helped, in a crowd especially, Grace usually doesn’t follow too closely, well in part because the view of most hind ends isn’t all that attractive. She also is in a power chair not a car with breaks. If you stop quickly she’s going to goose you! Her chair doesn’t have breaks it just loses power when she lets off the joystick.
3. Talk about her as if she can’t hear you……. Now of course this goes for people with any ability. But for some reason ( see #1 above) hearing is also an ability people don’t seem to think Grace has. Seriously, if she’s close she can hear you. She knows she’s in a wheelchair so you announcing “hey look that girl’s in a wheelchair!!” isn’t usually news to her. She went to a concert last summer and someone even asked her friend that was with her to tell Grace to move out of their way………all I can say is I’m sure Grace’s chair didn’t stop quickly if that girl walked in front of her .
4. Assume they’re sweet. Now I would think Grace looks sweet, but she’s not always what people expect. She’s not rude, but she has a very quick wit and will surprise you. Thankfully she doesn’t say everything she thinks, but honestly, people in chairs are just like everyone else. Some are sweet, mean, funny etc..
5. Don’t forget them. This year Grace is in a leadership class. They plan outings, school dances etc. Now I know most people don’t deal with special abilities, but when one is in your group, remember they’re there. Someone in the class found a very nice venue for this year’s prom. Only thing was there was no way Grace would be able to attend. There were no ramps, or elevators. They were even considering having the dinner on a second floor that had no access. It wasn’t intentional and it was a really cool place, but they forgot that everyone can’t use stairs. She knows the entire world doesn’t have to change for her abilities, but it’s nice when someone remembers.
Ok I’m not going to be negative forever: stay tuned for the 5 things that make Grace the happiest when someone deals with her condition.
No comments:
Post a Comment