Wheelchair Primer

The Fairy Blogmother, having experienced three weeks as a one-footed person, has some suggestions for wheelchair use she'd like to share.

Quite honestly, I was shocked at people's insensitivity towards those who use walkers, wheelchairs or crutches. Even in the orthopedic office, I was amazed to be left leaning on crutches for more than five minutes while the receptionist chatted on and on with a patient or family member.

It is difficult to navigate public places without the use of two good feet. People out there: where is your sensitivity? Your patience?

Fairy Blogmother's Wheelchair Primer:

Rule #1: Don't assume that the rider will know the ins and outs of chair use at first seating. Read through these rules before you or a friend takes to the movable chair for the first time.

Rule #2: Always, always put the brakes on the wheels before doing a dismount or a sit-down. Failure to do thus will most likely lead to the dangerous slide and bounce and possibly further injuries. These brakes can be found near the top of the wheels and are hand manipulated.

Rule #3: Never assume that walkers will give you the right of way or any other such courtesy like going to the front of the line. For some unknown reason, many healthy people seem resentful of those who are in a wheelchair.

Rule #4: Be prepared to be talked down to, and I'm talking both literally and figuratively. When seated in a wheelchair, you sit lower than most standers, even those who are vertically challenged. For some strange reason, taller stance empowers people and brings on an air of arrogance in some cases condescending conversation.

Rule #5: Other people, not "wheel-ees", seem to think that because you are unable to walk, you are unable to hear, talk, and respond to questions. I am amazed at the number of people who will direct their questions not to me but to a walking companion. ( This happened to me in the Motor Vehicle Dept while applying for a handicap sticker: "Does 'she' have a license?")

Rule #6: Give yourself ample time to get into the handicapped accessible rest rooms in public places. It takes a great deal of coordination to navigate the wheel chair through the restroom door, then into the cubicle. Next the wheel-ee must get up on one foot and onto the toilet seat. Plan well ahead so that you have ample time. Rushing can be disastrous.

Rule #7: Don't allow someone who has a history of road rage while driving a car permission to push you while seated in the wheel chair. You might just experience velocity similar to a speeding bullet. Watch your feet and hands when being pushed- keep them away from the wheel spokes and floor- more broken bones you don't need.

Rule #8: Many stores have complementary wheel chairs for disabled customer use. I can assure you that the job of charging the batteries on these motorized chairs is left to the lowest man on the payroll. Although easier than gathering the empty carts from the parking lot, for some reason, the clerks don't like to plug in the chairs. More often than not, the cart will run out of juice just when you reach the far end of the store. That will bring forth an "Oh shit" moment. The store with the best record for charging the chairs, (and I wince when I say it) is: Wal-Mart. The senior greeter at the front door is in charge of this function and he takes his job seriously. Hire more seniors is my new motto.

Rule #9: It is wise to carry a cell phone with you at all times. If you don't have one, a whistle on a string around your neck is just as effective and possibly more so, A sharp blow will bring immediate attention inside and outside your home. It is an excellent tool for leveling the playing field between the wheel-ee and the stand-ee.

Rule # 10: If or when you no longer need to live and travel by the wheel, read through the above 9 suggestions once again, and show some respect and kindness to those you meet in a wheel chair.