I’m a wheelchair user. I’m not wheelchair-bound, or confined to my wheelchair. My disability has not made me courageous or admirable, or deserving of a pat on the head just because you can reach it. I hate having my head patted.
I have total feeling in all limbs, so when you said, “You probably didn’t feel that”, rather than apologising for kicking me, you were wrong. I don’t have strong shoulders from pushing a wheelchair: my shoulders are prematurely weakening for that very reason.
Waiting at bus stops, I’m a captive audience for those who incorrectly assume my experience with the healthcare system created an interest in your last doctor’s appointment, or your cousin’s bowel movements, or what happened to the lady who lives down your street.
If given the opportunity, I’m really good at putting people at their ease. My integration into this able-bodied world depends on it. I can’t get by without the assistance of others, but it works best for everyone if I can guide when and how it is offered. If you’re not sure whether to offer to help, just ask, and don’t be offended if the answer’s no.
If I make you feel uncomfortable, realise that you would cope living as I do. It beats the alternative. Please do not pass on your discomfort to children by punishing them for staring, or wanting to touch and explore my wheelchair.
I’m sorry if I don’t remember your name or the occasion we met – there are more ambulant adults in my life than wheelchair users in yours. And the answers to the questions are: I wipe my own arse; and yes I can, and do, as often as opportunity allows.
Same Difference 
Reblogged this on sdbast.
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The glares and whispers you get as mobility challenged and using a mobility scooter and needing it in a shop, when you get up and walk.
All because the world thinks by doing so you are committing criminal fraud against benefit you never got.
And had to fight Inland Revenue because DWP told the taxman I had got money I never was deemed able to get. And so the taxman tried to tax not only this mythical money, but also my tiny works pension.
This is what would have happened if I had got the benefit. Either the lower mobility and / or the ESA support.
Now the idea is to tax disability benefits and Attendance Allowance direct.
The move from DLA to PIP will lose huge numbers that benefit.
All the while Labour is silent, whilst clones fight each other for a Labour leadership that means they will never be in government again forever. Having lost 2 elections in a row because they became too Tory.
The disabled need to sign a new 38 Degrees petition to actually have an opposition in parliament, to talk up against all the deepening cruelty that the Tories will do now.
We need to sign it in droves to encourage the around 86 undecided Labour MPs to endose the sole anti austerity Labour leadership hopeful, Jeremy Corbyn, who only got there in the first place by a successful 38 Degrees petition that gained the required 5000 signatures.
If more than 5000 sign this next petition, then at least 35 Labour MPs will do the necessary endorsement to get Jeremy Corbyn on the MP ballot sheet for them to vote for a Labour leader worthy of the name.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/switch-your-nominations-to-jeremy-corbyn
The SNP have sided with Tories for austerity in England, so that they can escape austerity by Devo Max in Scotland.
There is only Jeremy Corbyn to bring about an effective opposition in England (and for Wales) against the Tories, who only have a slim about dozen majority.
Jeremy Corbyn is a man of his word against austerity as he is marching on Saturday June 20 on The People’s Assembly anti auterity march in London.
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/switch-your-nominations-to-jeremy-corbyn
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