10 things to do to help people in wheelchairs

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.

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Hope you can smile at this one

Thanks to Wheels27 for sending this list it is a very good summary of how I feel some mornings.  In case you are wondering I am 60 + and proud of that fact.


Perks of being over 60
And heading towards
70 or beyond!

1.
Kidnappers are not very
interested in you.

2.
In a hostage situation,
you are likely to be released first.

3.
No one expects you to run --
anywhere.

4.
People call at 9 PM (or 9 AM) and ask,
'Did I wake you?'

5.
People no longer view you as a
hypochondriac.

6.
There is nothing left
to learn the hard way.

7.
Things you buy now will
never wear out.

8.
You can eat
supper at 4 PM.

9.

You can live without sex
but not your glasses.

10.
You get into heated arguments
about pension plans.

11.
You no longer think of speed limits
as a challenge.

12.
You quit trying to hold
your stomach in no matter who walks
into the room.

13.
You sing along
with elevator music.

14.
Your eyes won't get
much worse.

15.
Your investment in health insurance
is finally beginning to pay off.

16.
Your joints are more accurate meteorologists
than the national weather service.

17.
Your secrets are safe with your friends
because they can't remember them either.

18.
Your supply of brain cells is finally down to
a manageable size.

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