wheelchair education

[Guest guest]

mee too on the wheelchair at airports, it also makes it faster to get thru

the security lines

[Guest guest]

Heidi: You've hit upon an interesting issue about wheelchair use and CMT/HNPP.

With these disease forms, it's not uncommon for one afflicted to make similar

comments about not being able to sit or stand for periods of time and the need

to do both equally to maintain some semblance of comfort. Because I've

" elected " to walk the 160 paces to the mailbox daily and to walk the once a

month visit to the market using the edge of the shopping cart and a cane to

maintain stability, it satisfies, to a small degree, the need of maintaining

what mechanical abilities I have remaining in my feet and legs. It's also a

" minimal " cardio/vascular exercise event - if one could really call it that in

the true sense of the word. Besides, those electric mobility devices at the

market are way too slow! LOL

As you've stated, sitting causes problems so we walk. Walking causes us

problems so we sit. It's a mad, mad world in the life of CMT/HNPP. The fine

doctors all have decided I should avoid lengthy walking, including within my

b-partment (it's too small to qualify for a-partment) so, a new electric wheel

chair is forthcoming to replace my electric scoot. It will be able to turn 360

degrees standing still, go about 7.5 mph, and serve may purposes both indoors,

outdoors, and " major outings " on trains and planes. The new wheel chair will

afford me more opportunities to be " mobile " allowing me to " see the world " like

I haven't been able to do for some years now. (Actually, I've been to

3-submarine reunions and two cruises using my scoot that required both air and

sea travel!)

I learned a very long time ago that disabilities may not be visible to others

and yes they quietly mumble unkind thoughts about what they think they see.

I've gone passed the time when it angered me to see what appeared to be a

healthy person using a Handicap Parking Permit placard walking without apparent

difficulty and carrying on with their business as if they were without need.

Having said that, I've also gone past the days when I get angry with the glares

and stares from people who see my brace and other assistive devices and whisper

to each other. I actually let children touch my brace or my scoot so they don't

fear what they see and gently explain to them I have an " owie " and my " green

machine " is actually fun to drive. They usually smile and ease comes over their

parent(s). Children are curious and frightened - adults (not all) are

insensitive and rude at times when I appear in their presence. It's all about

understanding and the more we engage those around us in public, the more they

will understand. There's always the minority that will never understand and to

those I say, " Are you having a bad day? How can I make you smile? " They

usually smile.

rQn I

[Guest guest]

Well said, Rqn and Heidi. I use a wheelchair sometimes at places

where alot of fast walking is needed - like airports. I don't explain

WHY, I just assert my needs when I need to. There is no shame in

using a wheelchair for me when I need to, or other " tools " to help

me with life's challenges.

[Guest guest]

Heidi wrote, " This is the sort of education that people need to learn,

not all people whom use a wheelchair are confined and some use it only

temporarily like for a broken leg. "

Well said, Heidi. I really get the looks from people when I push my own

wheelchair through a shopping mall, and then choose to sit down for a

while and have my family push me when I can't walk anymore. I wonder

what they're thinking? (actually I don't really care)

K.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yes, there are times when we must do what we need for our own sanity and

comfort. Well said .

Heidi