Subject: Mostly because I want people to be aware.
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Posted on: 2016-01-25 19:46:00 UTC

I've been in and out of a wheelchair for about two years now, and it's very rare for me to find someone who realizes it's not an all-or-nothing situation.

What prompted the rant was realizing I'd have to use the chair again, and I wasn't looking forward to the usual treatment: "Oh no, what happened?" shortly followed by "Wait, if you can walk, why are you using that?"

It... ended up being worse today. I got out of my chair to reach the water fountain, only to have someone pull the damn thing away and say I didn't "really" need it, so I could come and get it.

As for when it's fine to ask... general rule of thumb is if the disabled person initiated the topic, they're inviting themselves for questions.

But yeah, I want people to realize that not everyone who uses a wheelchair is paralyzed, and you shouldn't judge them if they're not. It's not something you really realize until you're put on the receiving end of things, whether personally or through a family member or friend.

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