Invisible in wheelchair.

[Chuck S]

I've heard of this, and you'd think that with Mom in a wheelchair in the parks, I would have noticed more, but Disney seems to have better trained employees. But I've been having to be in a wheelechair or walker for a couple weeks due to a rattlesnake bite on the foot. During a recent trip to Wal-mart I was truly amazed at how I was suddenly "invisible" to other shoppers and store employees. They acted like I inconvenienced them when I asked to get by because they were blocking the aisle, or if I asked an employee to reach something off of a high shelf for me. I will be so glad when I am able to put full weight o my leg an walk again.

Mom was with me, but I was wheeling myself around...and if I asked a question or needes they would reply to Mom, like I wasn't even there...hello, my foot is injured, but I can hear, comprehend and verbally reply perfectly well, thank you.

Every store emplyee should spend a day in a wheelchair, trying to "shop" in their store and see what it feels like...again, it really was an eye opening experience.

At least at Disney, most CMs have taken care to speak directly to Mom and ask her opinions or food allergies.

 

[Michigan]

Every store emplyee should spend a day in a wheelchair, trying to "shop" in their store and see what it feels like...again, it really was an eye opening experience.

Then maybe you would be able to get a chair down the isle

 

[Talking Hands]

Amen to that Chuck. My husband has the perfect answer. I don't know ask her. She's hard of hearing not mindless.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

This really gets to me too. People will step backwards into you, then glare at you for being in your way (never mind that you were stationary and just got their backside in your face), or cut you up without a second thought.

One that really annoys me is when shop assistants pass my change to the person I'm with. All right, I could understand that if the counter was badly designed and they couldn't reach, but if I've been able reach to give them the money, they can reach to give my change back! My fella now refuses to take my change from them, as he knows how riled it gets me.

But, for every inconsiderate idiot, there are at least as many (normally a lot more) nice, kind and helpful people, who will go out of their way to offer you a hand. As I've said before, being in a wheelchair lets you see both the best and (sadly) the worst in humanity. You've just got to keep remembering the good stuff (though I always find having a good moan about the bad stuff to be very therapeutic ).

 

[Marie14625]

Though I do not use a chair, I can still say "been there, done that" to this situation....as the person being spoken to instead of my companion in the chair. Several years ago I had a friend with CP. She was not able to drive, so I would often drive her if she needed to run some errands. Now, bear in mind, this lady had more education than me..a Masters Degree. And, despite her CP her speech was cleaar and easy to understand. Once at the grocery store I was pushing her shopping cart while she stopped. I usually stayed a bit back, as she was usually able to reach what she needed from her chair, and put it into the cart. I'd only help with things to heavy, or out of her reach. Anyway, this one time, she wanted to go to the meat counter to order some stuff. The clerk kept asking: Does she want this one or that one" . I would just shrug and say "I don't know, ask her"

 

[MightyMom]

On the first day of school this year I took my son into class to meet his new teacher.

She asked me a question about his likes or dislikes, I asked my son to answer.... he did.... and she said, "Oh, he's verbal??"

I answered, "Yes, and there will be a time when you can't shut him up.... please remember the comment you just made."

 

[Marie14625]

She asked me a question about his likes or dislikes, I asked my son to answer.... he did.... and she said, "Oh, he's verbal??"

I answered, "Yes, and there will be a time when you can't shut him up.... please remember the comment you just made."

Good answer. I probably would have added, "Yes..and funny thing, he can hear and understand you, too."