Disabled Etiquette

Etiquette is defined as the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of aparticular profession or group.


Children are very honest... "Do you have real legs...?" "Why do you use that thing for...?" I was skiing this past weekend and I child came up and asked me. So I answered and tried to explain it at her level so she might understand.


I would rather both children and adults question and approach me than staring awkwardly and walking away.


In addition, I would like to clarify that not all people with physical disabilities have mental disabilities, and not all people with mental disabilities have physical ones. Some times the co-occur, but please do not assume it.


I am in my third year of university, living away from home, driving  a car.... I can do things that I want to do, mostly. Therefore, I have gone to school, gotten decent grades and have the mental capacity to read, write, speak, and drive a car. (Ski, play sledge hockey... the list could go on.)


It amazes me how people today act around people with disabilities. I walk with a friend to our next class, and everyone will smile and nod at me and not her. I will smile back,  (I would rather people smile than other things) but are they smiling because they are uncomfortable, or because their not sure how to act.


One day a few of us were walking out one of the buildings, and there were  2 sliding doors that were sensored, they opened, and a lady that was walking in stops behind the door and stares at me (i'm thinking there is room for 3-4 people to walk through the door at the same time), watches me go through and then goes through.


More recently, one of our classes has two times to write a midterm. A group of us were waiting outside the room for the first group to end. There were many people that were closer to the door than the group and I that I was with. The prof  walks right past all of the students (that were waiting before me), and says 'why don't you get in there and start right now so you have enough time...' Ok. He could be nice, but he walked past 15 other people that could of gone in. Thank you, but they were here first. And I also finished in 30 minutes. 


Disabled parking. If you are not disabled, do not have a placard, do not part in the areas designated with a wheelchair, those spots are not for you. I do not care if you have to run in quickly to grab something, or wait for somebody who will be right out! If you have perfectly walking legs, that is great for you, so use them to get along, I assure you that you are faster than me at walking and can run if you need to. I can't, so if i'm late, well i'm late, and I can't go much faster. So, if you have good legs, use them. Thanks.


I also just want to thanks nat and britt for a good times and great laughs after class!