Accepting the need for a mobility aid is not an easy thing to do. Listening to asinine opinions from judgmental idiots is worse! I wish they would just do us all a favor and just STFU!
*Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. Meaning that at no additional cost to you, I receive a commission when you make a purchase through my links.
Words hurt
It’s bad enough people feel the need to verbalize their every thought on social media, but it is what they say in person that stings the most.
We have the choice to not follow or friend people online. What we don’t have is the ability to block or mute the words that are spoken near and to us.
Tweet
Chronic pain and life-lasting damage from surgical errors forced me to begin utilizing mobility aids back in 2007.
That was just four years after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis.
I was ashamed to be seen using my rollator or wheelchair. Why? Because of the heartless remarks made by total strangers as well as family and friends.
“You’re too young to need a walker“
“I would hate my life if I had to use a wheelchair“
I don’t care what the intention of those words were. Those words hurt!
Do people really think we don’t know how old we are? Are they so rude to insinuate that using a mobility aid equates to living a lesser quality of life?
The danger of unsolicited advice
There is a danger that occurs in the mind of the chronically ill or disabled person who hears these disparaging remarks.
With our self-esteem already taking a hit from how our disability or chronic pain has decreased our abilities, we may believe what is being said.
What if I had thought I was too young when I was in my thirties? I could have killed myself by forcing my body to do what it was no longer capable of.
Think I am kidding? I am not! I did exactly that and it resulted in my body freaking out. My family lost an entire week due to my being hospitalized. My body was under so much stress that it began mimicking stroke symptoms.
Hearing things like “That idiot is pushing an empty wheelchair” messes with your head. It doesn’t matter that you can walk short distances or that sitting in a wheelchair all day is just as painful as walking. The only thing that pops into your head when someone says this is “Look at that faker!”
Tweet
Just STFU with your opinion about my mobility aid
I no longer care about the thoughtless remarks people make. Those people are a$$holes and I have nothing to prove to them.
Not everybody has developed the thick skin that I have. Tuning out hurtful words is not easy. It takes time before many people are able to embrace their mobility aids.
What is an Ambulatory Wheelchair User? Rachel from Accessible Rach explains!
Why mobility aid judgment infuriates me
What prompted me this article was something that occurred during a recent visit to Disneyland. With my current knee injury, I require crutches, but I am unable to with them all day. Sitting all day is just as painful. I have to walk, rest often, and be pushed when needed. While I walked with crutches, my husband and daughter took turns pushing my empty transport chair. My daughter (17) burst into tears when someone pointed at her. They laughed and remarked that she was pushing an empty wheelchair. All she was doing was helping her me, her mother.
I was elsewhere when the remark was made. But had I been there, I would have been going home with one less crutch because the other would have been lodged in that idiot’s rear. I held her and told her to not let it get to her. Which is easier said than done, because my blood is still boiling over the incident.
BTW if you are struggling to accept your mobility aid, I invite you to read an article I wrote back in 2016, Mobility Aids, Everybody uses Them. It will help you see why you should never be ashamed to use one.
In a perfect world, those who question or don’t understand why we require the use of a mobility aid would politely inquire.
Those who do not wish to take time to find out why someone needs a mobility aid and how it improves their quality of life just need to SHUT THE F*CK UP!
I wanted to buy power wheelchair for my Grandpa who has been facing severe arthritis issues lately. Just wanted to know as to which type of wheelchair would be most effective for him to roam around freely.
There are a lot of factors to consider. The first is would where he would use it most of the time. At home or would it need to be one he could transport in a vehicle? If the latter, he would need one he could lift or have a lift put on his vehicle. Second the type of terrain. If he wants to “offroad” like go through grassy or dirt paths he would need something more heavy duty. Would he be using it go to neighborhood stores? If so, a power chair with a basket or plenty of storage space for his purchases would be necessary. Lightweight fold and go power chairs are great for indoor and outdoor as long as outdoor use is on flat pavement. Hills are okay, but pavement that slants sideways can be problematic. There are many to choose from, but knowing what his needs are would help pinpoint the best one for him.
Hearing about what happened to your daughter makes me angry, too. I wish people came with filters on their mouths.
🤣 Filters!! Yes!!
I need to use a wheelchair from time to time. I can still walk but not for long distances when I’m flaring. My husband was pushing me and we had to cross the street. The pavement was torn up so I got out of the chair so my hubby could move it over the bad section. A man yelled at me from across the street, calling me a welfare cheat and a drain on our system. Believe me, I understand this post!
Hugs!!! That’s awful.
Love love love this!
Thank you!!