Comments/in Daily Life, Diagnosis, SCI Spinal Cord Injury, Wheelchair Life /by Tiffiny Carlson Stares upon stares, heaps of awkward situations, people avoiding you at all costs because of it, it’s as bad as you think when you live with a visible disability. Maybe it’s not like this all the time, especially around family and friends, but in public, oh we’ve all been there. Some of us have been there since birth, while others have acquired their disabilities and now have the fortunate experience to know what it’s like on both sides of the fence. I’m writing this blog post however because I am unsure how much longer I’m going to continue being able to pleasantly put up with this. You know, nodding and smiling when people say ignorant yet well-meaning things like, “Hey hot wheels you’re going to get a speeding ticket in that thing.” I can usually brush it off, but nowadays I’m worried that I may let something slip. Is this normal? Do all people with disabilities feel this way after enough time has passed? I believe all of us have a breaking point, yes even the Dalai Lama, and in the world of living with a disability and having to deal with everything that comes with it, it takes a lot of patience. And when patience is in short supply, this is when regrettable things can happen. My main concern is saying something I’ll regret to some well-meaning person who didn’t mean to be rude (nothing like giving people in wheelchairs a bad name). But after having to deal with 21 years of rude people flowing by in a constant stream, it has drained me. It has really felt worse than ever this year as well, when means I’m nearing my breaking point. I know people aren’t getting worse, I just don’t have the patience anymore. For those living with disabilities even longer than I, has this happened to you too? Have you suddenly woken up one morning wanting to leave the big city and live in a commune? Or maybe just become a hermit? I would love to know I’m not alone. It’s a huge life lesson learning to live with a disability, and I know deep down I am a better person for it. Honestly – I wouldn’t regret the experience for the world. And don’t think I’ve let this whole thing get me bitter either. Sure it’s the subject of a blog post I’m writing, but I’m worried about the future of me, and that is why this post is happening. So for those times you throw your hands up and just want to give up humanity, think of me. I struggle every day just boggled at the audacity, ignorance and rudeness of people. My only advice – find a creative outlet you can enjoy solo. I love to write and bake. This is what I do and they are more effective than anything else. Find that, and this will help soothe your soul more than anything, helping you be able to deal with a lifetime of discriminatory experiences. How do you not let the world bring you down as a person with a disability? LORI says: November 4, 2014 at 12:42 am AFRIGGINMEN, My Friend!! I am One who has been on both sides of the fence. I have only recently been needing a wheelchair because it is easier than crutches. I have extreme muscle weakness due to long term steroid use. So, it looks like I am completely *normal*, except I can’t stand or walk without assistance. It’s frustrating because One automatically dons a Cloak of Invisibility when they get in a chair. People tend to look directly thru me and speak to my Hubby, who is typically behind me. If One could bottle the energy and agita that stirs up in me, they could use it as an alternative energy source. I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO relate to your situation and this venting. My mind is blown on a daily basis at the ignorance and sheer stupidity of supposedly, *normal* people. You are not wrong or a bad person for feeling this way. I agree with you 500 GAZIIIIIIIILLLLION %!! Another really precious reaction of people is that they think I am deaf. Or mentally challenged. I am a bookkeeper at a local diagnostic lab. I deal with insurance issues every day. If I had a nickel for every time a patient assumed I was unable to do anything worth while, I’d be rich. 99% of the time, they end up saying they wish everyone was like me in regards to knowledge of my job and my general vibe. So, my comment to you is that you should go with your innate feeling of being just the way you are. Don’t change for anyone and simply realize and make peace with the fact that some people are just STUNODs and will never change. Take comfort in knowing that they will always be that way. That is their fate. We, are at the very least, blessed to know better and that Wheelchair Life Accessibility Daily Life
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 06:39:42 +0000
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