See the wheelchair and think I got a Learning Disability and I haven’t

colet
colet CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 101 Empowering
edited April 2018 in Cerebral Palsy Network
When I go out people think that I haven’t got the intelligence to do things like anyone else 

Comments

  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,940 Cerebral Palsy Network
    Hi @colet
    Thank for posting.
    It is hugely frustrating when people make the assumption that you are not intelligent because you use a wheelchair. It still happens to me too and when it does I politely mention that I am able to understand and speak for myself. 
    Are there any particular situations where this happens more often?

  • colet
    colet CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 101 Empowering
    edited April 2018
    I  dress smart and people look at me and say to the person who is with me “awww, she’s so pretty “ and in my head I go “gggrrrrr” 
    Lol

    @Richard_Scope
  • exdvr
    exdvr Online Community Member Posts: 324 Empowering

    Hi @colet,

    It really annoys me when I'm out and about on my scooter and it makes me think I must be covered by an invisibility shield. Supermarkets are especially bad.   Plus the people who assume mental deficiency then say they wish they had one of those.  My answer is that it's only my legs that don't work and that I would gladly exchange my scooter for their legs.  Apparently too if you don't look disabled you can't be disabled....whatever the hell that means.

    OK.....rant over....chin up.

  • colet
    colet CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 101 Empowering
    @exdvr children says that to their parents and I just laugh and in my head i go “no you don’t”
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,940 Cerebral Palsy Network
    Supermarkets are a pain. The staff tend to serve my partner and address her directly even though I am making the purchase!
  • deb74
    deb74 Online Community Member Posts: 824 Pioneering
    hi colet. you are right on both counts. i am not in a wheelchair but do have mental health problems and a few physical health problems that are not visible so people assume there is nothing wrong with me. i also know people who are in wheelchairs and people talk to them as if they are totally stupid. it is all due to ignorance. 
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,730 Contributor
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • roseteapot
    roseteapot Online Community Member Posts: 8 Connected
    i am very fortunate not to be in a wheelchair,just legs a bit stiff and used to get treated like this.In school my teachers seem to think  it meant i was thick.I just dont tell people now i have cp as i just want to be treated like everyone else
  • colet
    colet CP Network, Scope Member Posts: 101 Empowering
    @roseteapot
    Well I am proud of who I am and I will literally tell anyone 

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