5 Questions to Stop Asking Wheelchair Users Immediately (and What to Ask Instead)
It seems like almost every day I am faced with an awkward encounter with a stranger, whether it be in a coffee shop, the mall, or even on the Internet -- and more likely than not, that awkward encounter centers around questions about my disability, or how I live my life as a disabled person. I recognize that nine times out of 10 people aren't trying to be inappropriate or make me uncomfortable; they're just genuinely curious or concerned. That doesn't mean their questions are OK. Every time I address this, people's response is, "But I don't know what to say." I decided to help them out, in easy-to-use "listicle" form, of course. So, without further ado, I present five questions you should never ask a wheelchair user, and what you can ask instead:
1. "What is wrong with you?" / "Why are you in a wheelchair?" Typically, when I get this question, it is from a complete stranger who has not even bothered to say hello or speak more than two words to me. Starting off the conversation by asking me about my private medical history is never OK -- and if you feel compelled to ask me about my disability, do it with a little more tact and respect. As a lifelong wheelchair user, I will tell you there is nothing "wrong" with me, and that my wheelchair is just a tool I use to get around. However, when this is the first question you ask, it shows that you don't see anything else except my wheelchair.
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1. "What is wrong with you?" / "Why are you in a wheelchair?" Typically, when I get this question, it is from a complete stranger who has not even bothered to say hello or speak more than two words to me. Starting off the conversation by asking me about my private medical history is never OK -- and if you feel compelled to ask me about my disability, do it with a little more tact and respect. As a lifelong wheelchair user, I will tell you there is nothing "wrong" with me, and that my wheelchair is just a tool I use to get around. However, when this is the first question you ask, it shows that you don't see anything else except my wheelchair.
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