Wheelchair - Bound People!!!

[Missadric2]

Recently I have been practicing my creative writing and I have come up with a story I would like to write. This includes wheelchair bound people and I want to get my story as accurate as possible. I was woundering if someone could explain their daily routine and the highs and lows of being in a wheelchair. I would greatly appreciate the feedback. Thanks.

[saxy_jag]

I've worked with plenty. Wheelchair users are not serial complainers by a long shot, but still complain a lot about being treated like second class citizens. If they're with an able-bodied friend or partner, then that person is automatically assumed to be their carer, and is the one that gets told the cost at the supermarket checkout and gets given the change. There's a common assumption that if you're a wheelchair user, then you're helpless and probably hopeless too. When you try to assert yourself, or show a little independence, you get labelled as awkward and stroppy, or have your attitude out down to 'being disabled'.

On the plus side, you can often go to a concert or a show with a friend and have that friend get in free on a 2-for-1 ticket. Also, you often get to park closer to the shops. Some wheelchair users need that proximity, but many are extremely mobile and see it as a bonus.

[chrisrob]

I've worked with a number of wheelchair users.
It's impossible to provide all your answers without writing a book myself.
If you're serious about your subject matter, a bit of research volunteering at a care home would give you some insight.

[bednobs]

i find one f the most frustrating things is being offered help all the time, i say no im alright thanks, but people still carry on trying to help. Then when i actually need help, no-one is there :) what a dichotomy. I get buy one get one free tickets at the local theatre, have recently been on holiday and got entry into mst places for free. I am also quite lazy, and always have been, even bfore i was in a wheelchair, so for eampe, getting to sit down whilst shopping is a big bonus for me. People parking over dropped kerbs is v annoying, as is people parking on the pavement

[ACtheTROLL]

the highs and lows of being in a wheelchair...what?????
I'm sure there are many highs in being confined to a wheelchair ... in fact I'm looking forward to the day

please let this be a crank post - it's certainly the most patronising I've seen in a while
you need to attend a realistic thinking course before you attempt the creative thing ...

chrisrob is absolutely right ... pay your dues by doing some real, meaningful work with people who know first hand - it might just open your eyes to the reality of life

[angiealf]

When I was at school a friend of mine was (and still is) confined to a wheelchair, I took her to town to do some shopping and nobody would move out of the way for us. I ended up weaving and doing slalum down the pedestrian high street to avoid legs. Finally I had enough of playing dodgems and lined my friends chair in the centre of the street and walked in a straight line - We were only 16 then - we had a bit of fun, I didn't deviate at all. If I remember rightly I think I hit about 3 people, they complained at the time but after I told them that legs are more manouvrable than wheelchairs, they understood.
But if you're serious about writing this story I suggest you go and visit a Home for the Disabled and spend time with wheelchair users and learn first hand. Or even borrow a chair from somewhere and go to town, you in it, but take some one with you to help you up and down pavements. Don't you get out of the chair, the point will be for you to learn what it's like in a chair.

[sara3]

my ex was in a wheelchair for a long spell.. strangely, I don't recall any "highs".

the lows? people parking over dropped kerbs (as bednobs says), people parking in disabled spaces. if you need a car door opened wide enough to get into a wheelchair, you need a wide disabled space. we did a few shopping trips and had to come home as disabled spaces were taken, some by non-disabled people. from my angle, you can't push a wheelchair and a buggy at the same time. you don't get any training on how to deal with kerbs, doorsteps, etc. you can't reach anything not near eye level. you can't get around packed shops.

"highs", really!

[bednobs]

well i disagree with all the peple who scoff at "highs"
There have been some huge benefits for me, not least a closer relationship with my husband, with more talking to each other. It was such a relief when i went over to a wheelchair that i didnt have to struggle so much all the time anymore.
Life takes a lot of planning - if i go out i have to think about parking, access and all sorts of things that i never had to think about before (including how much crap is int the car, so i can fit the wheels in)
Pub crawls are much easier in a wheelchair, and when i went on holiday i didn't have to worry about cases, luggage and the like - someone was always there to help!
ok, so they might seem like quite little "highs" but you certainly learn to adjust your expectations when it happens.
As another high, i like to think it has given me an appreciation of the things i do have, which i have to say a lot of people don't seem to have, judging by the things they moan about

[Eve]

I've done a lot of voluntary work with disabled people over the years. I've also spent time in a wheelchair and it's quite an eyeopener.

I found some of the ignorance quite shocking. I remember walking out of a department store with one of the girls I took in as she wanted to buy some perfume and the counter assistant refused to address her and only spoke to me despite me asking her to just ask the girl I was with as it was her buying the perfume.

I do find that most of the ignorance seems to to targeted at people who also have (or people think they have) mental problems or learning difficulties or other problems which are misunderstood.

Another time I was with a lady with quite advanced Huntingtons. We were just going in to the Sea Life Centre in Blackpool (tram lines and cobbles and wheelchairs don't go together...we defeated the pier boards though :)) and she had a nasty choking fit and, as she was unable to clear her throat, I had to do it for her. People just stood and stared and not one person came and asked if she as ok or if we needed any help.

I went into a newsagents with a great guy, no mental problems at all. He had cerebral palsy (like Stephen Hawking) and, I assume, because of the way he looked, was offered a kids lolly by the shop keeper. Well meaning but just so misunderstood.

I think the dependancy on others can have a bearing too and you could consider the difference between those who are self mobile (ie can get themselves along) against though who are dependant on someone to push them. The extent of their disability and other conditions, age etc... can also have a bearing as to what they can and can't do, there is such a wide range it's impossible to pidgeon hole.

[Eve]

Also, what kind of wheelchair, manual, electric? Do they need it all the time or just some of the time?

Daily situations can be very different as well, are they single, with a partner, carer, kids etc... do they have to use public transport (try getting on some of the city buses in rush hour with a wheelchair!), is there access to special low floor buses etc...

Do they work? Is money a factor, what kind of equipment and aids can they afford? Can they get the lastest lightweight, more comfortable etc... equipment or do they have to rely on what they are given.

All kinds of things.

I also came across some wonderful people. I remember being with a group of the guys and some other volunteers one Christmas Eve and going into a cafe. After sorting the tables and chairs out a man sitting reading a paper caught my eye and asked if I was having a good Christmas, I smiled and said I was and he finished his drink, came over, slipped me a �20 note and said to get everyone whatever drink they wanted on him.

It might be best to pick a condition if you want to be more specific and target your research. Biographies may help and I can highly recommend doing some voluntary work. I can highly recommend Vitalise.