How To Get To Know A Disabled Person

When you first meet someone who is blind, deaf, or intechniques he uses in his job and at home, how he
a wheelchair, what is your initial reaction? Curiosity?gets around town, how does Braille work, etc.3. Offer
Sympathy? Awkwardness? If you experience any ofassistance when necessary. You see a woman in a
these emotions, you are not alone. Chances are youwheelchair having trouble entering a building or
don't regularly associate with someone who is disabled,negotiating steps. You'd like to help, but don't want to
so these feelings are quite common.Having been blindembarrass her. What should you do?It's usually
since birth, I have encountered a wide range ofappropriate to lend a hand if someone is having
reactions, from curious stares when i walk down theobvious difficulty, but keep in mind that not everyone
street with a cane or holding someone's arm, towill be willing to accept your help. It's not much different
amazement at being able to feed and dress myself.than pulling over and offering assistance to a motorist
Most people don't intend to be rude or insensitive, butwith a flat tire. Unless the woman in the wheelchair is in
just aren't sure what to expect. Here are four points todanger, it isn't necessary to press the issue if they
keep in mind if you should happen to meet a disabledrefuse your help. You did your part.4. Remember that
person.1. Disabled people can lead active lives. Withwe all have obstacles to overcome. No matter who
few exceptions, a disability does not prevent someonewe are, each of us has a weakness or challenge to
from working, raising a family, or taking part in socialface. How do you feel when you are treated
activities. Many sports and recreation programs havedifferently for being bald, short, or heavyset? Like you,
been adapted to accommodate a person with aa disabled person would much rather be accepted for
disability, including baseball, golf, water skiing, biking, andwho they are, rather than be pitied or shunned
swimming. Instead of concentrating on the disability,because of a disability. Many friends and colleagues
look at the person the same way you would anyhave said to me, "I often forget that you are blind." To
other acquaintance.2. It's all right to ask questions. Manyme, that is the ultimate compliment.Meeting someone
people are afraid of offending someone by askingwith a disability doesn't have to be an intimidating
about their disability. When meeting anyone for the firstexperience. Asking questions, offering assistance, and
time, it's natural to be curious about who they are,putting yourself in their shoes can go a long way
where they're from, and what they do for a living.Thetoward recognizing them as people with normal
same is true for a disabled person. Asking questions isthoughts and feelings who just happen to have a
usually acceptable, as long as you use common sense.disability. Who knows? You might make some new
Don't, for example, ask a blind person how he feedsfriends in the process.
and bathes himself. Instead, find out what equipment or