A PSA From A Person In A Wheelchair
Alright folks, let’s talk about helping people in wheelchairs.
First off, let me start by saying I know that the people who want to help have good intentions. Many people don’t want to help at all; in fact, they’ll go out of their way to not help. So, thank you.
However, oftentimes, good intentions can lead to bad results. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone through a conversation like the one above. (Obviously, the one above is exaggerated but I digress.)
In fact, let me tell you what inspired this comic. I was wheeling towards a door in my residence hall yesterday (a door that I had opened multiple times) when a person raced up and asked if I needed help opening it. When I declined, they said, “Let me help.” I tried to decline again but by that time they had opened the door. So I thanked them and entered, only to have them race past me and open the next door. Again, I thanked them and told them that I didn’t need help. I turned the handle of the third door and they abruptly pushed it open, pulling my arm in the process. I thanked them through gritted teeth and they grinned, pleased that they had helped someone.
It’s one thing to offer help. It’s another to insist that you help, especially if the person in the wheelchair declines.
One, frequently asking (or downright insisting!) is going to make the person in the wheelchair uncomfortable and annoyed. Secondly, you might unintentionally end up injuring said person or otherwise inconveniencing them.
I know you do. And that’s great.
But do me a favor and follow these two rules:
1. Wait until the person in the wheelchair asks you for help.
However, if you don’t want to wait and insist on asking them:
2. If you do ask a person in a wheelchair if they need help and they decline your help, DON’T HELP.
