Posted on: Thu, Jun 4 2009 7:48 PM
Posted by: Rubyjane95
Posts: 2
It's really good to hear from someone who is about my age and in a similar situation. We have become so frustrated and have faced SO many dififculties trying to behave just as other couples our age do. For example, one of our most recent conversations has been about our frustrations with seating in movie theaters, athletic arenas, etc. We love to go to movies and sporting events with our friends, but detest the fact that we always have to sit apart from all our friends because most places only allow for one "wheelchair" seat and one "companion" seat, as if individuals who use a wheelchair couldn't possibly want to attend an event with more than one person!
My boyfriend also gets frustrated because he likes to be a gentlemen, and when we go out in public people won't let him open doors for me. He'll be on the verge of doing so when someone will leap out and dramatically hold open the door for him, while meanwhile glaring at me as if I'm some sort of heartless freak because I'm letting "some poor guy in a wheelchair" open a door for me.
We live in a very conservative part of the country, and I feel like people here are very closed minded about attributes that might be considered "different." A lot of times when we go on dates or out in public holding hands, etc, doing all the things couples do, people awkwardly stare at us, when all we ant to do is be able to eat our dinner, etc., in peace!
These are just a few of our frustrations as of late....have you had similar experiences?