Poking fun and stigma

[g8ina]

I have to say that since I became a wheelchair user my attitudes toward other people have changed dramatically, and by the same token, other people's attitudes toward me have also changed dramatically. Either people are very kind and generous, or they are complete wastes of food !

When I'm out and about I have what we call a cloak of invisibility, and sometimes this even extends to cover Sally, my wife. It's quite weird actually

[Mutley]

I have to say that since I became a wheelchair user my attitudes toward other people have changed dramatically, and by the same token, other people's attitudes toward me have also changed dramatically. Either people are very kind and generous, or they are complete wastes of food !

When I'm out and about I have what we call a cloak of invisibility, and sometimes this even extends to cover Sally, my wife. It's quite weird actually

Do you think that is to with people feeling awkward or embarrassed and not knowing how to behave/what to say, or people simply being insensitive or rude (or both)?

[Macman]

Which is something we like to tell our children, but know isn't true.

It depends on the individual...

I've been called everything under the sun and I'm partially deaf and epileptic. I just shrug my shoulders and move on, because if one wants to stoop that low and give me dog's abuse, then I ain't gonna waste my time on that person.

[g8ina]

Do you think that is to with people feeling awkward or embarrassed and not knowing how to behave/what to say, or people simply being insensitive or rude (or both)?

I'd say 90% due to ignorance.

We also get the "does he take sugar" syndrome, but Sally just says "ask him yourself"

[melon]

I'd say 90% due to ignorance.

We also get the "does he take sugar" syndrome, but Sally just says "ask him yourself"

Worst one for me was this guy that sounded cliched gay ( in an over-the-top way ) in starbucks who said " Oh is that your little horn " when i reversed in my scooter 3 yrs ago.

I almost said " No, its my BS detector " but decided to let it pass .

m

[g8ina]

Often when I reverse out of a lift I shout "beeep beeeep, this vehicle is reversing". Usually gets a larf, but there is a good reason for that. Last time someone bumped into the chair and cracked their ankle, they blamed me !

[Mutley]

I think ignorance is a key factor, which goes back to the heart of this discussion in many ways.
And with ignorance comes fear - fear of something different, fear of saying or doing the wrong thing, fear of looking stupid, fear of standing out..

Macman, I admire what you are saying, but it takes a fair degree of self-confidence and self-esteem to have a skin thick enough.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Tempted to say "pistil off", but I wont. Setting a bad example etc...

The stigma of poking fun at flower parts!!

[Sputnik]

I drove a Foreign registered lorry here in the UK for a while, It was quite interesting to hear what people at delivery points were saying about me when they thought I was French and unable to understand English. I used to let them have their laugh at my expense and then at the end of the delivery I'd just say "Oh, By the way. The lorry is French but, I'm from England!"