In the Boldwheels blog I do my best to report in a positive manner but I realize I have been remiss in posting. I have not told you very much about myself and the goals of the Boldwheels blog.
So in order to remedy that fact I thought I would bring out some basic ideas on how to help a person in a wheelchair. Hopefully this will give you some basic ideas when you meet a person who uses a wheelchair.
So here goes my 10 things to do when meeting a person in a wheelchair.
1. Avoid lame jokes. Such as, "slowdown their speedy." etc. We have heard them all.
2. Whenever possible avoid using the handicapped stall in the restroom. I know that extra room is nice but we really need to space.
3. Do not I repeat do not use the designated handicap parking area. Not even if you plan to me just a minute or two.
4. When you're talking to the person for a longer period of time try to come down to their eye level. Otherwise you're just a pain in the neck.
5. Do not lean on the wheelchair when talking to the person. This is for your safety as well as the person in the wheelchair.
6. In a group always talk to the person in the wheelchair as an individual who is capable of making their own decisions.
7. Always ask the person in the wheelchair for permission to help you see them having a problem. Again it simply shows you realize they are capable of making their own decisions.
8. When talking to the person in the wheelchair if you have questions about their disability it may be all right to ask but don't make that the main reason for the conversation.
9. The wheelchair is not a toy. Treat the wheelchair as an extension of the person inside.
10. Phrases that for reference walking or running in normal conversation do not need to be avoided. Their common terms used every day and there is no reason to feel nervous about using them.
