Two weeks ago, a picture popped up online and quickly went viral. It was an image showing a young university student holding the hand of a man with cerebral palsy on a city bus. The university student was being hailed as a hero for his amazing act of kindness.
When you live with a disability, there is an element of leading by example, or living by example that comes with the territory. I have noticed a theme in both of my teacher education programs: no one knows what to do with me.
Having a disability and being in a wheelchair presents a unique set of daily challenges that are hard enough on their own. Sometimes, able-bodied people add to the frustration. Here’s a short list of things that the able-bodied world does – mostly unintentionally – that makes having a disability harder than it needs to be.
One of my first blogs was about inspiration porn. That blog hinges around one of my favourite stories to tell; it illustrates the absurd things people say and shows how normal human behaviour (like dancing at a wedding reception) is blown out of proportion.
When I find myself lacking for ideas, I can count on life to give me certain scenarios in endless supply. When all else fails there’s always another list brewing in my brain or in this case, the inescapable ‘You’re an inspiration!’ trope rears its head.
As the start of a new school year approaches, I feel the need to comment on education as it affects students with disabilities. I have a lot of mixed feelings about Special Education, both as a student who went through the system and now as a certified teacher.
As I write this, I’m sitting in an accordion-style hospital wheelchair, my seat cushion haphazardly forced into the frame. I have no back support. My power wheelchair has been taken in for service for the sixth time in barely three months. I’m sitting in a room at my service provider’s headquarters, an hour and a half away from where I live.
Back in June, I started having battery issues – they were dying much quicker than they should.
I am only speaking from my own perspective. With that, in no particular order…
10. The effort that goes into the simplest things:How long does it take able-bodied people to get themselves out the door in the morning? Way less time than it takes me, I know that much.