man like. i’d really like people to spread this information because i think there’s a lot of very well-meaning people out there who need to learn this:
pushing someone’s wheelchair without first getting their consent is a violation of that person’s autonomy.
sometimes when i’m going up ramps i’ll struggle a bit, and VERY frequently people will just take the handles and start to push, thinking they’re doing me a favor.
and maybe they would have been doing me a favor… if they had taken the time to get permission. please try to have some sympathy with us: think about how alarming it would be if a complete stranger took control of your body without asking. that is what is going on! when you do that to a person in a wheelchair that is quite literally what you’re doing!
do not do this, and don’t be surprised if people get angry if you do. a simple “do you need help?” (AND ACTUALLY WAIT FOR THEM TO RESPOND AND LEAVE THEM BE IF THEY DECLINE) will suffice.
non-wheelchair users keep reblogging this and being like “this is common sense but ok”
wheelchair users reblogging this are like “yeah i had to get a custom banner installed that reads ‘dont fucking touch me’ which people just ignore more often than not”
