Just yesterday my mum and dad popped over to visit. They told me they’d just been to a shop and happened to mention me. The shop keeper said “it’s a shame she’s in a wheelchair isn’t it”.
I laughed and we carried on catching up. But it got me thinking how, there’s still such a stigma around wheelchairs, which is so ironic when I genuinely see mine as freedom. I know that’s not the case for everyone. But, for context – I’m 31 and I’ve been using a chair since I was 2 years old. With having OI type 3, my legs aren’t strong enough to stand, let alone walk.
I’m not surprised he has these views though. You only have to look at internet articles and media headlines to see we’re told disability is bad and should be pitied. Who remembers when the late queen started using a wheelchair? In fact, I’ve just googled it and one of the first articles says “The Queen has cancelled official engagements because she doesn’t want to be seen in a wheelchair”. No wonder ey…
I didn’t realise how freeing my chair feels until I started flying. Relying on other people to take care of my (very expensive) wheelchair. There was a moment when I landed in Germany when the assistance man shouted “THE CHAIR IS NO LONGER HERE”. He said it so casually with a relaxed smile. My heart dropped.
I was sat in an airport manual wheelchair. How would I transfer to the toilet (my chair has functions to get close as possible). How would I be able to reach any kind of hotel bed to sleep and of course how would I even get around anywhere? I was only with 1 other colleague. I suddenly felt very vulnerable and scared.
When I’m not in my wheelchair, I feel exposed, not in control and not myself. I’m sure many other can relate that our wheelchairs are part of our identity, they make us who we are. We can jazz them up, have names for them and hold so many memories. I’ve had my first nights out, graduated University and even been to Las Vegas for a wedding!
So to the man in the store, it’s really not a shame I’m in a wheelchair – it’s a shame you can’t see how much it improves and benefits my life for the better.
