Great Mysteries I’d Like Answers To…

For those of you who don’t know… I am a disabled woman.  I don’t blog about being disabled because in all honesty it isn’t really how I define myself.  For most people who see me but don’t know me, the wheelchair would probably be the first thing they mention when asked about me.  For me, it’s actually probably the last thing I’d discuss if asked about who I am.  And sometimes I might even leave it out entirely.  It’s not that I am ashamed of it, I just don’t really think all that much about it.

That said, I do have some questions that I’d like the able-bodied community to help me with, if you don’t mind. 

1.  Why is the handicapped stall in the women’s rest room like the Holy Grail of all stalls?  I understand it’s large, but unless you have a baby in a stroller or are actually disabled, why do you need all that extra space?  You are peeing, not hosting a high-school prom.

2. Why do you let your children come up to my chair and start pushing me around?  I don’t know you, don’t know your children and didn’t ask for a push.  Would you let your children just start pushing other children’s strollers around, or their shopping carts?  Same thing here.  I don’t mind your kids talking to me, but they need to keep their hands off of my chair.  I don’t pick strangers kids up and wheel them around, so please don’t let them push me into a wall just for fun.  You scoff, it’s happened. 

3.  Do you honestly think I like talking to your belt buckle?  For god’s sake, sit down once in awhile so I can have a conversation where I don’t feel like I’m a lead actor in “Honey, I Just Shrunk Our Friend”. 

4.  Why must you sometimes park on top of the ramp?  I understand you are “just dropping someone off” or “just picking something up” and you, kindly, left the handicapped parking places free for me to park.  Now if I could just get in the building, we’d be all set.  Unless you are picking up someone who can’t walk up or down a step, please consider parking over the ramp akin to parking in the fire lane.

I’m sure there are more great mysteries I’d love to have cleared up, but this will do for the moment.  Happy Weekend.