How would you describe yourself to someone that had never seen you? Probably your gender, hair color, age, body type? What do you first notice about a person when you see them?
Grace recently went to a birthday party of her friend Anna. She hadn't been to any functions there or met her family before. As Anna was introducing Grace to her grandmother, the grandma said something close to " Oh I've met your friend before." This was a surprise to both Anna and Grace. Then Anna figured it out, "Grandma, was it a boy.?" Yes it was a boy her grandma had been thinking of, Anna has another friend that uses a wheelchair that had actually met her Grandmother before. Poor Grace all she could say was '"I'm a girl." It was an awkward moment, Grandma felt silly gave Grace a hug and we've all had a good laugh about it since. We've decided that Anna ruined the perfect opportunity to tell Grandma that her friend had a quick sex change and was now Grace. ( I think grandma and Grace will probably become fast friends after this meeting ).
Anyway, I've been wondering how often we see people in a different light than who they actually are. We're no different than Anna's grandma. Obviously when you see a person with a wheelchair or crutches, any medical equipment, you notice it because it's not our "norm".
But, how often is that all we see? Grace usually has a rather unique style that surprises people, they don't expect a girl ( or is it a boy? sorry Grace I couldn't resist) in a wheelchair,to dress like such a rocker, or have wildly colored hair. Don't know why being in a chair should determine your style or your personality for that matter. Think about it, you either expect a "sweet, gee the world is great, I'm so thankful for my wheelchair" attitude. Or a " just back from the war, I'm now bitter about being in a wheelchair" attitude. Honestly, wheelchair users are just like everyone else; good, bad, sweet, mean.
Next time you see a person with a difference, do your best to look past the difference. There's more to the person sitting in that chair than you know.
(P.S. Happy Birthday Anna, I can't wait to meet your Grandma)
Grace recently went to a birthday party of her friend Anna. She hadn't been to any functions there or met her family before. As Anna was introducing Grace to her grandmother, the grandma said something close to " Oh I've met your friend before." This was a surprise to both Anna and Grace. Then Anna figured it out, "Grandma, was it a boy.?" Yes it was a boy her grandma had been thinking of, Anna has another friend that uses a wheelchair that had actually met her Grandmother before. Poor Grace all she could say was '"I'm a girl." It was an awkward moment, Grandma felt silly gave Grace a hug and we've all had a good laugh about it since. We've decided that Anna ruined the perfect opportunity to tell Grandma that her friend had a quick sex change and was now Grace. ( I think grandma and Grace will probably become fast friends after this meeting ).
Anyway, I've been wondering how often we see people in a different light than who they actually are. We're no different than Anna's grandma. Obviously when you see a person with a wheelchair or crutches, any medical equipment, you notice it because it's not our "norm".
But, how often is that all we see? Grace usually has a rather unique style that surprises people, they don't expect a girl ( or is it a boy? sorry Grace I couldn't resist) in a wheelchair,to dress like such a rocker, or have wildly colored hair. Don't know why being in a chair should determine your style or your personality for that matter. Think about it, you either expect a "sweet, gee the world is great, I'm so thankful for my wheelchair" attitude. Or a " just back from the war, I'm now bitter about being in a wheelchair" attitude. Honestly, wheelchair users are just like everyone else; good, bad, sweet, mean.
Next time you see a person with a difference, do your best to look past the difference. There's more to the person sitting in that chair than you know.
(P.S. Happy Birthday Anna, I can't wait to meet your Grandma)
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