With every completion of a Paralympics tournament, most of us witness and enjoy incredible athletic achievements. Disability has hopefully become more normalized for many of us. However, there has been a mental aspect and a stigma regarding issues concerning handicap, which is both troubling and inappropriate. Here are three facts individuals should know regarding wheelchairs.
Wheelchairs Are Not Scary
It is crucial for people to understand that wheelchairs and individuals with disabilities are not frightening. Therefore, those who experience fear towards wheelchairs and physically impaired people need to overcome their collective fear of disabilities.
Moreover, there is really nothing to fear or be concerned about. People are focused on someone doing and saying the right thing. This concern makes them afraid of being condescending or insulting, forcing them to avoid interacting with people who have a disability, particularly wheelchair users.
All this is out of fear of doing it wrong. Not only is it very sad, but it also exacerbates the fear element and the stigma surrounding disabilities, rather than reducing it. To achieve a truly inclusive and accessible community, we must overcome our fear of disability.
They Can Be Fun, Stylish, And Tantalizing
It takes some long time to realize that someone can be both attractive and disabled. There is nothing that prevents someone from having both. This is because these conditions are not mutually incompatible.
Recognizing this leads to a change in personal behavior regarding this issue. Society will become very inclusive if others understand it too.
To make a wheelchair beautiful you can decorate it. You can use paint, glittering, beads, or cushion patterns. This largely depends on the owner of the wheelchair. If it enables the user to build up their confidence and feel at ease with their personality, the chair, and the way they are, then it is worth the investment!
Special Benefits That Come With Using Wheelchairs
It would help if you were not scared to interact with a person with a disability. When associating with disabled people it may lead to amazing benefits. For instance, being offered a complimentary stay at a beautiful hotel in exchange for volunteering to do a mobility evaluation for people with disabilities. Also, individuals in wheelchairs sometimes get movie tickets at half the price.
If everyone was aware of these facts regarding wheelchairs, wheelchair users, and disabilities in general, we would have a lot more comprehensive and tolerant society to be proud of. Mindsets and attitudes are changing, but it is up to the handicapped individuals to contribute positively to that shift.
If someone does communicate with you and uses inappropriate language but has the best intentions, rectify them politely and kindly. Do not discourage them from ever interacting with a handicapped person again by responding with rudeness. Respect is a two-way street, so the community will make progress and eventually have an all-inclusive society by showing respect.
