How people react to the handicapped…

*My opinion counts too:

These words are being spoken by one who knows how it feels to be in the path of someone who is walking toward you and you’re in a scooter trying to maneuver through a crowd of people. The majority of people will actually keep coming forward as though they’re “not” going to step out of the way of your scooter and you’ll have to hit them first…this can be embarrassing and cause the person in the scooter to not know exactly which way to go. Sometimes I wonder if people are just not thinking and they keep walking forward like they’re daring you to not stop and give them their space. It’s hard to imagine anyone one could be so careless to actually not permit you room enough to go around them. Yes, this does happen, and yes, it’s hurtful and makes one feel regretful for having to use a scooter to get around in large walking areas.

*Many seniors find it hard enough being in a wheelchair or a scooter:

There are many seniors who cannot walk for long distances because of health issues such as a bad heart, bad knees, a bad back condition, poor eye sight, or many other health issues and they have no recourse but to ride in a scooter or wheelchair to be able to get to the areas they need to visit. Riding in a scooter is humbling enough without having to face people who look disgusted as you slow them down in the walkways of a mall or in an aisle or a store or when they have to move over in an elevator. Many look at you like, “Why are you out here in this crowd merging in and out of people anyway?”

One of the rudest things I’ve had happen to me was in a line at a restaurant, and would you know, someone had the nerve to say in a voice loud enough to be heard by those standing in line, “There’s so many people who ride these scooters and wheelchairs and they do not really need them.” This is so painful and embarrassing that all you want to do is hang your head and not look up at other people until you’re away from the embarrassing situation. People in elevators can many times have a look of disgust if your scooter or wheelchair takes up to much space in the elevator…it’s like they smack their lips and turn their heads in disgust…like hey, “Why don’t you wait for the next elevator?”

*Summation:

Yes, people can be rude to handicap people and yes, they can hurt our feelings and cause us to feel ashamed for requiring a scooter or wheelchair. These people do not realize how hard it is for handicap people to have to give up their freedom of walking on their own…it’s truly hard, and yes, it’s humbling. Not all people are this way though and they smile and say something wonderful in a manner we know they truly mean it and they let us know they’re sorry for our need.