I was checking out things on social media and came across an article written by Helen Schwab on the odyssey online website at https://www.theodysseyonline.com
Odyssey
Odyssey’s mission is to affect positive social change by inviting people to share their perspectives, sharpen their opinions, and participate in meaningful conversations with others surrounding the topics they care about most.
Their Core Values are:
Creator First
We strive to build a platform that serves its Creators before anyone else. Without its Creators, Odyssey doesn’t exist.
Freedom & Responsibility
On Odyssey, you can create the content that matters to you. With this freedom, you also have a responsibility to start discussions in a positive, respectful manner.
People Matter
We believe everyone’s voice deserves to be heard. On Odyssey, perspectives from everyday people start meaningful conversations across the nation.
Stats
They are a popular site with:
- 770K Creators
- 1.8K Communities
- 1.1M Articles
- 24M Unique Visitors
The original of this article can be found here.
My disability necessitates the use of a wheelchair. And while I have very understanding friends and family, I have learned that there are certain annoyances that go unnoticed unless you are in a chair. So, here are a few of the most common complaints from people in the wheelchair community.
1. Stairs (and only stairs)
They usually mean the end of whatever was planned, especially if there are no alternative routes: the oldest enemy to mobility while in a chair. It means nothing to a wheelchair user that “it’s only two steps.” It means that we either have to rely on others to help us or change all of our plans. Ditto with no curb cuts and/or ramps.
2. Non Compliance to ADA (or AODA here in Ontario, Canada) standards (or bare minimum)
A rail in a bathroom does not mean it is accessible, not to mention half of the so-called accessible stalls are nowhere NEAR big enough. The one elevator in the workplace not working should not be the thing stopping people from doing their jobs, and the beds at hotels should not be so high that we cannot get into them without assistance, and the space beside them too small to go between.
I admire the job the these regulations set out to do, but what is the point if it is not enforced?
3. Parking
Problems here include people who park in handicapped parking without a permit, people who park there just because it’s convenient, people who balk when you need space to unload and the worst offenders, people who park blocking curb cuts and then refuse to move. Just thinking about it makes me angry. Don’t do it, folks.
4. Travel
Having to plan four steps ahead of everyone else when you travel means not only do you miss going places because of the chair, but that there is no spontaneity in any of your trips. Are the seats at the stadium wheelchair accessible? Is the car big enough? Is the bathroom accessible? All of these problems are only worsened if, like me, you don’t drive. Airlines apologizing profusely when your chair has been damaged in flight only helps so much when you are stranded as result of it.
5. Ignorance
I am not mentally incapable just because I am in a chair, and I don’t want to be “touched by Jesus” as some people may pray for me. Similarly, I do not appreciate it when you push the chair without asking me first, the chair is an extension of my body to me. I can hear and understand when you make fun of me, and I am sick of your pity.
And finally, for this post anyway,
6. Losing friends
I personally haven’t lost friends because of this issue but others have and, in the words of their former friends, ” I don’t know how to talk to you”, “I can’t deal with people staring at us when we go out”, and, “You need too much help.” We will eventually move on, but won’t pretend like it didn’t hurt deeply. Same goes for not accounting for the disability when we make plans to go out.
I am sure I will write more articles like this in the future or add to this one, so keep an eye out.
Leave a Reply