Physically disabled people VS Healthy people

United States
May 22, 2010 7:51pm CST
I was born with Spina Bifida and because of that I have been wheelchair bound since I was about 11. I get a lot of people staring at me, pointing, and snickering when I am in public. I think there is this stigma about disabled people and what being in a wheelchair actually means. Ignorant people that think just because one is in a wheelchair, he or she must be mentally disabled as well. Any thoughts?!
4 responses
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
22 Apr 11
My son is almost four years old and he has got spina bifida and hydrocephalus. He is a bright little boy and he can now talk quite fluently. He has deformed feet and on leg is longer than the other it would appear. That is due a problem with his hips. He goes around in his children's sized wheelchair. My daughter will soon be two years old and she is normal. I like disabled people and know that a person in a wheelchair is unable to walk. He or she deserves to be treated normally and chatted to. Many physically disabled people are intelligent and not many of them are mentally disabled.
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
22 Apr 11
Woops. Sorry for replying a second time.
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
27 Feb 11
My three year old son has got spina bifida and hydrocephalus. He is unable to walk and will be getting a self propelled wheelchair soon. The people that point at you and laugh around are being very impolite towards you. An able bodied person should be able to talk in a friendly way to a wheelchair user. A wheelchair user is likely to be able to talk and be intelligent. It is best for you to ignore ignorant and unkind people.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
23 May 10
i have severe knee issues and also have fibromyalgia so i walk with a quad cane and i get lots of odd looks when i go anywhwere. i guess people figure i am pretty young so i must be faking it or something. people have weird ideas sometimes.
@juggerogre (1653)
• Philippines
23 May 10
I think you should just ignore these ignorant people. Their ignorance is blinding them. I think they are the one with mental problems. :D