Top 10 Things Not to Say to Someone in a Wheelchair Plus the Best Responses From Wheelchair Users

We had such a great response to The Huffington Post’s “Top 10 Things You Do Not Say to Someone in a Wheelchair,” we decided to come up with our own top 10 and, for a twist, 10 witty responses. Enjoy!

1. You’re an inspiration!
Response: “You’re easily inspired.”

4. I broke my leg. I know exactly what it feels like to be in a wheelchair.
Response: “The bowel program is the worst, right?”

6. Do you race in your chair?You’re going too fast.
Response: “I was trying to get away from you.”

7. There’s a special place in heaven for you.
Response: “Doubt it if there’s a stairway to get there.”

8. Since you’re in a wheelchair, you can’t have sex, right?
Response: “Well, not with you.”

10. You seem very happy!
Response: “I saved a bundle on my car insurance!”
— Shepherd Center, www.shepherd.org/news/releases/2013/12/top-10-things-not-to-say-to-someone-in-a

You know how nondisabled motorists park in accessible spaces and, when confronted, say, “I was only gone a minute?” Two cities in Portugal and one in Brazil decided to turn the tables. You are looking at a wheelchair a piece in parking spaces, keeping nondisabled motorists from being able to park there. The signs on the wheelchairs say things like, “Be right back,” and “I’ll only be gone a minute,” and “I’m just grabbing a cup of coffee.”

The protests took place on Nov. 27 in Lisbon and Vila Real, Portugal, and also Avenida Jaime, Brazil, as part of “National Day of Struggle for the Disabled.”  Hmmm … maybe someone should do something like this here in the U.S.

‘Disabled’ Mannequins Challenge Concept of Beauty
Have you seen the video about mannequins modeled on physically disabled people yet? If not, you can see it at www.newmobility.com/2013/12/disabled-mannequins-challenge-concept-beauty/. It’s part of the “Because Who is Perfect? Get Closer.” campaign by Pro Infirmis in honor of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which was Dec. 3.

What Pro Infirmis, a Swiss advocacy group, has done is remarkable. In a world that shies away from depictions of even what most human bodies look like, these disabled mannequins draw the eye to various forms of bodies with disabilities and show how beautiful they can be. And the project is resonating across the Web, where it will remain accessible to everyone with an Internet connection. HuffPo, AdWeek, Jezebel, BuzzFeed and more have all covered the story of this video, and are getting the word out that beauty takes many shapes, and perhaps is limited only by the eye of the beholder.
— Josie Byzek, Media Bites, www.newmobility.com