| When you first meet someone who is blind, deaf, or in | | | | techniques 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 of | | | | assistance when necessary. You see a woman in a |
| these emotions, you are not alone. Chances are you | | | | wheelchair 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 blind | | | | embarrass her. What should you do?It's usually |
| since birth, I have encountered a wide range of | | | | appropriate to lend a hand if someone is having |
| reactions, from curious stares when i walk down the | | | | obvious difficulty, but keep in mind that not everyone |
| street with a cane or holding someone's arm, to | | | | will 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, but | | | | with a flat tire. Unless the woman in the wheelchair is in |
| just aren't sure what to expect. Here are four points to | | | | danger, it isn't necessary to press the issue if they |
| keep in mind if you should happen to meet a disabled | | | | refuse your help. You did your part.4. Remember that |
| person.1. Disabled people can lead active lives. With | | | | we all have obstacles to overcome. No matter who |
| few exceptions, a disability does not prevent someone | | | | we are, each of us has a weakness or challenge to |
| from working, raising a family, or taking part in social | | | | face. How do you feel when you are treated |
| activities. Many sports and recreation programs have | | | | differently for being bald, short, or heavyset? Like you, |
| been adapted to accommodate a person with a | | | | a disabled person would much rather be accepted for |
| disability, including baseball, golf, water skiing, biking, and | | | | who 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 any | | | | have said to me, "I often forget that you are blind." To |
| other acquaintance.2. It's all right to ask questions. Many | | | | me, that is the ultimate compliment.Meeting someone |
| people are afraid of offending someone by asking | | | | with a disability doesn't have to be an intimidating |
| about their disability. When meeting anyone for the first | | | | experience. 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.The | | | | toward recognizing them as people with normal |
| same is true for a disabled person. Asking questions is | | | | thoughts 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 feeds | | | | friends in the process. |
| and bathes himself. Instead, find out what equipment or | | | | |