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Disabled people aren't political enough.
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Agree
(65.1%) -
Disagree
(34.9%)
Total votes: 725
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feyandstrange (U2954646)
Listed below are comments made by feyandstrange (U2954646) between Tuesday, 9th June 2009 and Tuesday, 9th June 2009
You can also view a list of feyandstrange's posts.
Face to Facebook
I adore the 'best fake disability story' contest idea!
Some time ago a small boy was watching me at a crosswalk while his mum was busy strapping his sister into her car seat. After asking me how fast my powerchair could go, and I'd obligingly zoomed around him, he asked why I had it. His mum had noticed by this time and looked horrified.
I made a very grave face, and informed the boy that I had gotten sick because I didn't eat my vegetables. His mum desperately smothered her laughter and gave me a thumbs-up.
Face to Facebook
I 'don't look disabled' either, and have had a few of those awkward conversations since I graduated to a wheelchair! My best line so far is "I was a bit taller the last time we spoke", for in person at least; seems to help them not be so uneasy if I can joke about it.
The best was when I ran into an old friend after years apart, and she was nine months pregnant. We were both so radically changed that I think we were both a bit relieved not to have to say "Gosh, you look just the same".
I am 'out' about my illness on social networking sites, because I have decided that I may as well 'warn off' the sorts of people who think I'm just faking or am not really ill! Plus I like to think I might be increasing awareness of the issues. Nor would I be any good at censoring when half my status updates are complaining about accessibility issues. But I do not have public access enabled, either.
Who needs airport assistance?
I salute you, sir! I'm always edgy about flying these days, although it's mostly because I usually use a powerchair, and since I'm convinced the baggage monkeys would destroy my motor, I have to travel in a manual chair. (I bring my own, which is usually much better than the airport 'transport' chairs, but is by no means a racing model either). I have generally had good luck with the assistance sorts, although it's often a bit awkward if they assign me a gentleman and I want to stop at the loo. (This is another good reason to have one's own travel chair if at all possible; if they abandon you at the gate with an hour to go and you need the loo, you might be able to get there yourself in a proper wheelchair, but no luck in a transport tiny-wheel model.)
On luggage: In the USA at least, most airlines should treat 'medical equipment' such as wheelchairs and et cetera as free extra luggage and not charge you any fees. I have even gotten out of paying an overweight luggage fine by looking pitiful and saying I had heavy medical gear in my suitcase. (I did, really.) I have always been allowed to 'gate-check' my wheelchair, which means they take it away when I board and bring it back very quickly on landing. Once or twice I have been able to 'cabin-check' my chair into the body of the plane, even! But as doing so generally means my chair gets put into the closet the airline employees get, crushing their jackets and bags, I have stopped asking for it as I expect I get better service from folks who don't have to shove past my chair to get their own things.
Bringing my own chair sometimes helps with the nasty problem of those people you mention who become suddenly disabled during the flight and demand assistance. I've had my requested assistance nobbled like that a few times, and been sorely tempted to stick my cane between someone's legs and really disable them.
I have generally flown JetBlue, whose service has been very good; I'm afraid of budget airlines, and had a nasty time with America West and won't take them again. JetBlue puts a tag on your boarding pass if you have requested disability aid in advance, and if you don't have the tag, they try to make sure those of us who did ask in advance get theirs first - although pushy jerks can still nick the help. JetBlue has been very good about seating arrangements as well; I tell them that if they put me in the front row I can do without the aisle chair, and they're usually quite happy to be spared that effort. I have reports from fellow travellers that VirginAmerica is also good.
The Accessible Land of the Rising Sun
Go Liz! I have wanted to travel to Japan, and if you can do it, I can! Can you tell us how you transported your powerchair there, and if you used a power adapter or what? I'm a US powerwheeler, but after the airlines mangled my old chair, I've been afraid to fly with my 'good' chair. Did you send it as cargo?
They make somewhat more cripple-friendly chopsticks if you look around for them; the ones held together at the top with a springy bit are nice. I bought a set of camper's folding chopsticks and put those gooshy pencil grips on mine. Of course, I consider myself to be better off with chopsticks than with a fork, but they aren't for everyone!