40 replies to this topic

[Zack]

"Were you born in a Chair?" drives me crazy! Yeah, mom was manual and dad was a power chair! Then they realize I'm joking and I tell them "The road turned and I didn't!"

[WMWBM]

"are you doing any better? Able to stand up soon? Keep it up ok? You can do it."

I get these from my relatives all the time.

[Millard]

I used to be offended sometimes when someone queried me as to "What happened to you?" Now, I used it as an opportunity to educate people of spinal injuries and the difficulties in not giving up with such a severe injury. ( I tell them I was too hard headed.) Be careful though, I have had to speak to groups on several occasions.

All the best.

[wiggy]

i guess i'm lucky. i work at a university and don't really get stupid questions or comments. also, what caused the SCI wasn't my fault, so i take that time to make people aware of those of us that were on two wheels.

[A trophy guy]

wiggy, on 07 March 2012 - 10:19 PM, said:

what caused the SCI wasn't my fault, so i take that time to make people aware of those of us that were on two wheels.

I find this a bit disturbing. What difference, exactly, do you highlight to people when explaining about those who may have contributed more to the circumstances which led to their injury than others? Is one more deserving that the other? I was paralyzed due to medical malpractice. Some here were paralyzed due to drunk driving. I make no distinction between the two; we both live with the results just the same. I hope you come back to clarify.

[wiggy]

methinks you missed my point, ATG. When someone asks what happened, i explain that an old man turned in front of me causing the accident and the SCI. I then take the moment to ask them to be more aware of cyclists and motorcyclists, i usually get a response much like "oh, that's awful. i would never want to do that to someone".

Did you take what I typed personally?

[A trophy guy]

wiggy, on 08 March 2012 - 04:36 PM, said:

methinks you missed my point, ATG. When someone asks what happened, i explain that an old man turned in front of me causing the accident and the SCI. I then take the moment to ask them to be more aware of cyclists and motorcyclists, i usually get a response much like "oh, that's awful. i would never want to do that to someone".

Did you take what I typed personally?

Not at all; did you read my post?

[maryann]

My son is 16 and I get "AWWW, and he is such a handsom young man, what a shame, poor kid!". What the HECK is that supposed to mean?!! I want to say " Ya? well you WERE a nice looking young man/woman until I knocked the teeth out of your head!..........you poor thing!!"

My son hates when people tell him how brave and strong and what an inspiration he is. YES he is all those things, but he was all that 3 years ago BEFORE the SCI. No one brought it up then. Same kid he always was! (well, maybe stronger now) you know, pushing his chair and doing al those fancy wheelies that are so impressive to people.

It's good to be able to laugh at some of the comments, they are truly stupid but the first comment I made makes me want to scream.
How would you respond to that one? He does NOT want anyone's pity.

Mama bear!

[Bethann]

Stand, on 15 January 2012 - 05:33 AM, said:

I always like, 'Do you mind if I ask what happened?'.

You just did.

Sex. It was all of the rough sex I was having. Totally worth it.

Thanks for the good laugh!

[lkb2399]

well it time move on

[Vaulti Mila]

"You're gonna be amazing at driving once you're outta that thing!" or "You're gonna be the best at parallel parking" (I never got my license)

Oh man, I've heard these form my friends a million times! Though they are kinda right, at least with the angles. As far as depth perception and telling how close the rest of the car is....well.....I'm no good at that and a wheelchair is a LOT smaller! haha

Everyone and their mom constantly ask me if I've made any progress, or if I'm "walking" now. I always say when I make progress I'll be sure to let them know. (I mean seriously, when I could twitch my left toes I about alerted the papers).

I know the doctors told me I'll make progress, and from where I started I have but to have people ask all the time, and me being aware of the progress I'm not making instead of the progress I HAVE made, it's almost like a constant reminder of how far I have to go....and I absolutely can't stand that -___-.