Dec 24, 2009

Faqs (Frequently asked questions)

People ask me all kinds of questions, curious about how a handicap person lives her life. Children come up with the most unexpected ones.

Here are some of my favorites from them and the ‘not so young’ ones:

(from kids)

Q. HOW DO YOU SLEEP?

A. With eyes closed.

Q. DO YOU SLEEP SITTING?

A. Hey, If I could sleep standing up I would but I can’t even do that awake.

Kids tend to think I do everything in my wheelchair, sleep there, shower there, everything there like my butt is super glued to the seat. It’s hard for them to picture the teacher on a sofa or lying down on the bed unless the chair is in the bed too and I’m still attached to it. For all the children’s information out there (and adults too), I do get out of my chair.

Q. HOW DO YOU SHOWER?

A- I soap and rinse.

Q. CAN YOU BRUSH YOUR HAIR?

A. Does that mean my hair look bad? Yes! I can brush my hair. I can brush my teeth too.

(Adults)

Q. DON’T YOU GET LONELY?

A. Who doesn’t?

Seriously, yes! Yes! Yes I do. Despite my seemingly positive disposition and outlook in life, my loving family, very good friends, great church, amazing God, I still get lonely.

Q. DON’T YOU GET BORED?

A. I do and this post proves it.

I have Sunday school classes and church works. I have many hobbies I’m into to keep me from being idle but it’s seeing the same corners that get to me sometimes. So I need to go to the mall once in a while just to see other walls. And other people...haha

Q. DON’T YOU GET TIRED SITTING?

A. Yes, I do. Sometimes I just want to fall off and roll.

Those are just a few of a zillion other questions people come up with to ask me. Sometimes I’m surprised how people incorrectly think, perceive or read me (or people like me). I don’t take it against anyone who does. Unless you’ve been in the same chair, you couldn’t possibly fully understand and that’s okay, and asking maybe is the only way to know and understand. As long as you don’t ask ASL, we’ll be fine.

The no. 1 Question:

Q. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

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