If it’s one thing you need to get used to when you go out in public using a wheelchair, it’s the stares.
I know I’ve blogged about this mild annoyance of mine on here before
(it doesn‘t always bug me if it doesn‘t break the 10 second rule), but
the other day after discussing this whole thing with C again (my PCA),
I realized it’s actually quite comical. The whole fascination (and
shock in some cases) some people have with seeing people in wheelchairs
I’ve decided is pretty much the dumbest thing ever. And here’s why.
Ok, now if you’re an aborigine from some deep unknown spot hidden
within Amazon Forests and you’ve never seen a power chair before, let
alone a car, then I’ll forgive you if you stare. But if you’re from the
big city, ummm yeah…you’ve seen a wheelchair before. Probably thousands
of times. So why these people still feel the need to stare is beyond
me. Do they still stare at people of different races too? No, so why me?
I mean honestly. Am I really that interesting? The only thing I can
think of regarding these “starers” is that they want to know why I
can’t walk (or maybe the dudes just want my hot body) and THAT’S why
they stare.
Whatever the case, a wheelchair - when you really think about - it is
quite the boring contraption. I mean, it’s just a chair on four wheels.
It’s not like I’m rare unicorn or something (even though it WOULD be
pretty rad if I was).
I can think of a lot more interesting things I’d stare at if I came
across them while out in public. A few of them: Richard Simmons in line
at KFC, a three-person bike decorated with streamers, breakdancers
bustin’ a move on Nicollet Mall, Mickey Rourke doing yoga at a studio
with glass walls (with a cigarette in his mouth), kids throwing hot
dogs at cars….
I’d continue, but if you haven’t gotten my point yet….I don’t think there’s any use.
