Use a weelchair, sometimes

[Guest guest]

Moderator's Note: To change your name back to Pegi Spencer instead of Sue

Croft, go to the Members link on the left side of the screen. Type in your the

first part of your email ( " ktynanny " ) and it will pull you up. It shows you as

Sue. So click on the Yahoo Id link in the middle of that page. That takes you

to Yahoo. Still showing you as Sue. From there, you should see Sue Kraft's

name, an icon above that and over the icon are two round circles. You want to

click on the one with the person in it that says Profile when you roll the mouse

over it. Press okay and you should be able to change your name. Somewhere along

the line, it will ask you to log in. Only the person with the account should be

able to log in and make changes. If all else fails, contact Yahoo directly for

help. Hope that works.

Moderator

___________

Has anyone had to use a wheelchair, for a short time? Or is anyone in the

'Group', use a wheelchair, all the time?

I have a question for the 'Group'. Do you find that everyone, or anyone, seem to

talk to who ever, is your 'helper'. Like your not even there?

I am in a wheelchair, still I can see, hear, as well or better then my 'helper'.

GRRR! Even doctors will talk as I wasn't there. My G.P. who I have seen close to

40 yrs, talked to my Son, like I was not in the room. I was surprised. I have

waved my arm's, 'tried' to ask a few questions. How do you get 'PEOPLE', not to

see the chair & TALK I can walk 'some', but sometimes using a wheelchair, is

easier, for me, & my 'helper', also I'm not late for my appointment.

Beside,s 'yelling, stomping my feet', anything to draw attention to myself,

anyone have any idea's, how I draw attention to myself. Or let the Dr. know I'm

in the room, short of acting like 'I'm a 'Crazy person'.

My legs & knees aren't working as they 'should' now, my eyes and hearing, are

working as they should. Sorry this is a long post, I am just so 'Frustrated', to

say it nicely. Hugs, Pegi

P.S. I have no idea how my name was changed too, 'Sue Kraft'? It's 'Pegi

Spencer', e-mail is 'Ktynanny@...'. I'll see if I can find the 'Moderator',

to get it fixed.

[Guest guest]

Pegi,

I live in a wheelchair and it did take some getting used to. The whole thing

with comfortably using a chair is attitude. The first thing to remember is to

always, always look people square in the eye. It gets them engaged with you and

not the chair. People do assume, usually unconsciously, that if someone has a

physical disability they probably have a mental one too. There's no way anyone

can look me in the eye and think I am a little slow.

The other thing is to smile, even when you do not feel like it. People

immediately respond to a direct gaze and a smile. I often have a little grin

that has a touch of mischief and people respond in kind. No matter how cranky I

feel or how much pain I am in, if I am in public people see a direct gaze and a

smile.

I am an above the knee amputee and the sight of a woman with a stump

upsets people. I can understand it, that is a primal fear we all come hardwired

with. So not only do I have to get them past the wheelchair, I have to get them

past the stump.

It takes a little practice. Mostly it is theater, acting supremely confident

when I do not feel it, acting cheerful when I am not, acting comfortable when I

am in pain. It is worth the effort for me because I figure my challenges are no

one else's business unless I chose to make it so. Strangers see what I chose for

them to see.

Oddly enough, on the very rare occasion that I am wearing a prosthesis,

attitudes are completely different. Strangers stop me to tell me what an

inspiration I am. That creeps me out! Since I have not had a working prosthesis

in a few years, I ride a chair.

I have got two chairs, both very used when I bought them. The first one I bought

after I ditched the rental was a power chair. Wheelchair

friends told me I needed one, and not a small wimpy one. It is been a lifesaver,

it will take hills and rough terrain. I know people who

only use a power chair at home, you cannot carry anything and push

wheels at the same time. I take mine everywhere. I also got an aging

Qwicki, a really good chair that maneuvers effortlessly. We are still working on

getting that one adjusted to fit me.

I would noticed that a lot of people in fancy wheelchairs didn't have handlebars

on them. After I had been in the rental for awhile I understood, having someone

come up behind me and push or try to " help " me, made me want to scream! I had

the handlebars cut off my Quicki but now I am rethinking it. I cannot put a bag

or a crutch holder on the back without the handles.

In my experience, attitude is everything in a wheelchair. The only

time I am uncomfortable around people these days is being in a wide

line, or anything else that has a lot of people facing the same way.

Under those circumstances, a wheelchair view is a sea of butts. I can only hope

that no one had too many beans that day!

Lou

Gray haired, one legged woman, with attitude!