Comments on: Why Is My Cane a Topic of Elevator Conversation?

By: Ivy

Ivy — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 01:30:46 +0000

i think people feel it’s ok to ask us questions that they would not ask an ‘abled-bodied’. i’m all for conversation, but i’m against explaining myself into ‘i’m not like you land’.

By: Andrew Pulrang

Andrew Pulrang — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:00:58 +0000

I think you’re really onto something with the “boredom” idea. I think sometimes we mislabel our emotional reactions to “ableism” as anger, when really it’s often just boredom. Like, “Really? That’s the best you can think of to say to me?”

By: Sem

Sem — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 16:00:43 +0000

I also like your blog overall. Thanks for writing it!

By: Sem

Sem — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 16:00:00 +0000

Hi. I appreciate your perspective about boundaries and I like your response. It continues to astonish as to why people feel they can make comments without knowing someone’s context.

By: lauredhel

lauredhel — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 09:52:49 +0000

“The number of people who admonish me to slow down or they’ll give me a speeding ticket is very very large.”

The monotony of those people is only broken by those who feel the need to inquire as to whether I have a licence for “that thing”. (I use a mobility scooter or a powerchair.) Then there was the chap who grabbed me – from behind – to admonish me for writing on an envelope … while parked, on my scooter, out of the way. He got a loud “DON’T TOUCH WOMEN YOU DON’T KNOW.” Strangers stared.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 00:51:41 +0000

I just don’t understand why people feel the need to pry so excessively. It’s just nobody’s damn business why somebody use a cane or any other mobility aid. I would be tempted to reply with something like, “It helps me identify nosy busybodies.”

By: Jesse the K

Jesse the K — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 00:01:48 +0000

“The cane helps me” is a good, low-stress phrase. Sorry to let you know that you’re only going to stop hearing these “witticisms” if you change mobility aids.

(I use a powerchair. The number of people who admonish me to slow down or they’ll give me a speeding ticket is very very large. At this point, I say, “you’re just jealous” as I speed away.)