Rosie Howard discusses the importance of teaching children proper etiquette around people who use wheelchairs.
I am very new to being in a wheelchair. It’s been a bit of an emotional journey, but the use of a wheelchair has given me back the opportunity to live an almost “normal” life despite my health. Besides the struggle for independence, my emotional reactions and practical travel and accessibility, another new element of my life that I’ve struggled to come to terms with is interacting with children as a wheelchair user.
Most of the time these aren’t naughty children. These are children who are uncertain as to what is correct, polite or safe to do in this situation. Most children quickly learn to be safe near roads and hold a parent’s hand. Road and car safety is so ingrained in children’s brains that it helps to protect them in most situations, but no such education happens with most children about wheelchairs.
This mother made me feel like a person again on a very rough day, and after she said this her children looked me in the eyes and they could see me for me. I smiled at them and told them it was OK, just to please not do it again. They were honestly the sweetest children, but if a child doesn’t know what to do in these situations, they can’t be expected to figure it out on their own. If you teach them to see us as people, it can help prevent these challenges.
It makes a huge difference, and I have seen it in so many children. I was in a shop once and I saw a girl be quite scared of me, which is understandable to be honest. I am in a huge chair and she didn’t know why. I smiled at her and told her that her shoes were pretty. She smiled back and her tiny brother chimed in saying he had brand new speedy socks. After some laughs and talking with the mother, the boy looked at me and asked why I was in a wheelchair.
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