- Joined
- Jul 29, 2017
- Messages
- 3,933
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 07/2017
- Country
- US
- State
- OR
- City
- Southern Oregon
I’m enrolled in an continuing educational community for retired adults. Today was the first class for this term. I’m in my power wheelchair, hanging out at the break.
A woman comes up to me.
Woman: Aren’t you Dr. Karen?
Me (with my raspy bulbar-esque voice): Used to be
Woman: And you play the bassoon.
Me: I used to do that too
Woman eyes the wheelchair and looks somewhat puzzled. “Did you have an accident?”
Me: Uh, not exactly.
CALS (to the rescue): Karen has ALS.
Woman (appearing slightly uncomfortable): well, it’s good to see you.
End of conversation.
I realized when she started talking to me that there might be some awkwardness, both mine and hers. I realized I’m afraid to make people feel uncomfortable on short notice. Does this bug me? Well, kind of. I think it is bothering me more as I become more obviously disabled. Suddenly I have to explain myself, and I find myself dreading the response (though this woman’s wasn’t too bad). I used to view this as a potential teaching opportunity, or an opportunity to show people that disabled folks can and do take classes and be out and about in their community. But now I find myself wanting to slip quietly under the radar without making a scene.
A woman comes up to me.
Woman: Aren’t you Dr. Karen?
Me (with my raspy bulbar-esque voice): Used to be
Woman: And you play the bassoon.
Me: I used to do that too
Woman eyes the wheelchair and looks somewhat puzzled. “Did you have an accident?”
Me: Uh, not exactly.
CALS (to the rescue): Karen has ALS.
Woman (appearing slightly uncomfortable): well, it’s good to see you.
End of conversation.
I realized when she started talking to me that there might be some awkwardness, both mine and hers. I realized I’m afraid to make people feel uncomfortable on short notice. Does this bug me? Well, kind of. I think it is bothering me more as I become more obviously disabled. Suddenly I have to explain myself, and I find myself dreading the response (though this woman’s wasn’t too bad). I used to view this as a potential teaching opportunity, or an opportunity to show people that disabled folks can and do take classes and be out and about in their community. But now I find myself wanting to slip quietly under the radar without making a scene.