One of the most frequent questions I get asked in my daily life is, “sir, why are you in a wheelchair?” Right behind that is, “what is it like to be in a wheelchair?” People of all ages, all backgrounds, and in all environments are always very eager to ask this question.  It’s a question that doesn’t bother, annoy, or belittle me. I really enjoy playing the role of educator as often as I can, so I take it as an opportunity to teach them a little something.

While an article like this is actually pretty accurate, there is one general rule of thumb: don’t treat a person who is using a wheelchair any different than you would anyone else. Period. It’s pretty safe to assume that the person with a disability that you’re interacting with feels most comfortable and most at ease when they are blending in, when they aren’t encouraged to stand out as they usually (and naturally) are.

I’ve gathered most of those opinions from living life, but there is one particular experience that has encouraged me to write this blog in particular.  And it’s actually from watching a TV show. Last summer, I blogged about a brand-new show called Push Girls. Well, Push Girls has begun its second season, and it’s absolutely fascinating.

Point blank, watching this show is a lot of different emotions for me: exciting, emotional, eye-opening, inspiring…the list goes on.  Particularly, episode 3 of the 2nd season, in about 23 minutes of air time reminded me of so many different times in my own life, as a person with a disability.

Moments like having to seek out individualized care when you can’t take care of yourself, to wanting to have someone to accompany you to the doctor’s office (especially when you might be receiving bad news), to going through driving evaluations to learn how to drive and gain that independence.  Other moments like learning how to use your hand controls, and going to the beach together, and cooking together with your significant other in the kitchen. All of these things take a very patient person, especially if they’re able-bodied. I’ve been blessed to have quite a few of those in my life.

It’s all certainly a part of growing up, but when you realize that you’re so different – and then you connect with others who are also “different” – it makes watching TV a lot more like living life and remembering moments of your life so far. I really hope I get to meet these ladies one day; they are amazing.

If you have a free moment, go watch a few episodes of Push Girls. It comes on the Sundance Channel on Monday nights at 10. I don’t have cable, so I watch it online – and that site is linked in the previous post about Push Girls on my blog (linked above).

Enjoy!

And remember – if you can’t stand, up…then stand out. :)