That's a good question. Tiffany, it depends on the situation. Most of the time I'm courteous and I just say I was in an accident . It's a lot easier than trying to explain cerebral palsy. That's a freaking nightmare. And when I was younger. If I was at a bar. I would make up stories, because I knew I wasn't going to ever see them again and depending on the guy. I changed the story a dancer almost an Olympian, rock climber swimmer whatever sounded really cool now when it comes to the elderly I stopped take my time and answer questions because they truly feel empathy for you because they're in the same boat now. I have a real problem with parents who drag their kids away after they've come over to get a hug or ask me a question like I have the plague, that really bothers me because their just curious and usually I don't mind. Never answer your personal questions. Have a real problem with people acting like it's a special day just because I'm out of the house.

I'm in a power chair and have a respirator. And when I'm out to eat, someone has to help me out by feeding me. Needless to say, I'm quite obvious. Talk about the elephant in the room! Lots of people will come up to me and ask questions but most of the time it's the old "you're such an inspiration" line. Actually, I don't mind. I know everyone sees me and is probably thinking all sorts of things too. I can remember before my injury seeing people in wheelchairs and being intimidated or scared of their disability. I figure by answering people, it breaks down the barriers, gets them used to seeing and relating to people in different kinds of disabilities. I know, a lot of people probably wish that I wouldn't because it puts them in the spot of being asked. I understand how socially obtrusive it really is. Can you imagine asking a fat person "why are you so fat"? So what do I tell people? I calmly tell them "an elephant sat on my back."

I always invent something completely outlandish, see what all they will swallow. "I asked this girl to dance at a club, and woke up in the hospital. Her jealous old man had hit me across the back with a chair. He's doing 8-10 in the pen for it. Bummer." Or " What, this wheelchair? I don't need one, just use it to help meet chicks." "The wheelchair? Just too lazy to walk." "This old thing. It's just a conversation starter. How do you walk in those 4" heels anyway?" It's none of their business, make them pay for being rude and asking.

Sex related injury usually shuts them up.

When people say, "I'm sorry" after you tell them what happened, they are expressing they are sorry about what happened to you. It's a nice thing; they are saying you are, or seem like, a good person and they are sorry something bad happened to you. It's similar to saying, "I'm sorry (for your loss)" to someone who has lost a loved one. You aren't pitying them or "feeling sorry" for them, you are sharing in their sadness that you, too, wish the death hadn't happened. Even strangers who say, "I'm sorry" after sharing your story are only trying to say, "I wish that hadn't happened to you."

Most often, when asked that most intrusive question, I give them a deadpan look and say,"Nothin', I'm just lazy". If they persist (and they usually do), I tell them that my stunt double didn't show up.