6 Comments 
Last Updated on 17/11/2019 by Alex Squire
I found a good infographic whilst surfing the interwebs the other day. It’s about things that annoy wheelchair users and I can empathise with almost all of them. I thought you might like to see it, check it out below. 🙂
You can also find more infographics at Visualistan
Alex Squire is 33 year old quadriplegic powerchair user from Lincolnshire. He writes about the places he Has visited as well as his interests and more general disability-related topics. Alex is currently studying for a diploma in journalism.
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I like it and agree.
The first couple trouble me though. I know some disabled people without visible impairments need a blue badge space and need the accessible toilet. So what tends to happen is that I inwardly get cross at apparently non-disabled people for abusing facilities disabled people like me need, then I get cross at myself for getting cross about it cos I may be unfairly judging them. Gets me both ways. And I bet most of the non-visibly-disabled people I see using such aren’t actually disabled, so my anger is probably justified!
I really hate it when people hold on to or lean on my wheelchair. I don’t mind when older or disabled people grab on to steady themselves and get around, but others are generally doing so out of a wish to appear natural and unfazed by it and me. Whereas in fact it shows precisely the opposite. It usually causes me to tip cos I sit with my front wheels off the floor most of the time – tipping gives us a big shock, which they need but I don’t! If not then I usually move slightly, repeatedly if necessary, until they get the F off. Lol.
Yes, I feel the same when I see apparently able-bodied people using disabled toilets and disabled parking spaces. I know that people can have non-visible disabilities too but it still annoys me. But I guess we just have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Innocent until proven guilty and all that.
New Mobility magazine reported a study in Seattle, Washington, US that showed 60% of the people parked in handicapped spaces were using someone else’s permit or had misrepresented their ability to walk in order to get the permit. This puts an undue burden on people who have MS, etc because it is hard to tell if they are fakers or genuine.
So I think the cartoon is correct, but we can’t assume the absence of a mobility aid means faker. Great thoughts, all of them.
Congratulations Alex! I have nominated you for the Liebster Award!!!
Read more details here: https://blindinjusticeblog.com/2018/06/15/another-liebster-award/
Thanks very much for the nomination Brendan! I appreciate it 🙂
You’re welcome Alex! It’s well-deserved. 🙂