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Wheelchair bound?
Written by Claire on Sunday, December 23, 2007
Disability activists say that they don’t like the phrase “wheelchair bound” because “bound” implies that they are stuck, tied down, immobile, whereas in reality the wheelchair gives them freedom and they can be quite mobile (in an accessible world). I can understand this intellectually, with that limited understanding of someone who has never lived it.
For me, “wheelchair bound” has never applied, because being in a wheelchair liberates me in ways that only someone with BIID can understand. In my chair, I am free to be me.
Recently however I’ve come to understand the phrase “wheelchair bound” in a whole new way. I’ve encountered barriers to accessibility as a wheelchair user, and more so lately as I have started to venture out of my “comfort zone” of accessible universities, malls and WalMarts. Remember that I live in a country where there is no ADA, and so a great number of businesses are inaccessible (that’s true in the US, but the US has a major advantage over the rest of the world in that regard). What I have found is that the world at large is exceedingly, flagrantly inaccessible, and the majority of business owners don’t give a damn. I have talked to several, cordially, about installing ramps, cutting down steps, etc. And I have been the victim of open prejudice and discrimination. Most if not all will never do a thing until the law requires them to.
That puts me in an interesting position. In the town where I go to school, I am known exclusively as a wheeler, even though I take care to tell people who ask about my disability that I can in fact walk. Most people I know by sight don’t know that, though. And now, I have made myself conspicuous by discussing accessibility with many store owners. I can’t, now, go into an inaccessible store on foot, even with the forearm crutches I use when I’m walking. There is simply no way in hell that I’m going to give them the idea that the 8″ step leading into their store is no barrier to people in wheelchairs because people in wheelchairs can just get up out of their chairs and walk in. No. Way. In. Hell. And so, I have effectively “bound” myself to my wheelchair with cords both psychological and ethical in nature.
I do, really, feel wheelchair bound. Restricted by my BIID, restricted by the choices I’ve made, and restricted by a society that doesn’t give a damn. I don’t for a moment suggest that what I am feeling is in any way comparable to what one feels when one is not in a wheelchair by choice. But while it frees me in some ways, it binds me in others. In the end, I still choose to use a wheelchair. I need it for my peace of mind. And I want to be disabled. I have chosen to live as someone with a disability. Inaccessibility and discrimination come with it. So be it.
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6 Comments
Miss Claire,
I have just now finished reading all of the content of your entries to this very informative website. I believe you to be an insightful person as are the others here. You seem to describe your emotions, your trials and tribulations in such a manner that seems to emulate from your very core.
I, disabled as I am, for one have found myself to be openly accepting of those with BIID. ANd I have enjoyed reading your thoughts, their descriptions and the similarities of certain situations that I also have experienced with the public in general. How innanely ignorant out society has become where those with disabilitie are concerned. I feel for you in your times of need with your desire to wheel your way through life, and cannot. But be assured my dear lady, there will come a day when I do believe the situation will remedy itself in a fashion that is acceptable to you such that you may do as you please, and be at one with your desires. Iceratinly hope you succeed and find that place and time. I believe you have done society as a whole a great justice by bringing the difficulties, the snide and ignorant remarks of others, the description of daily challenges…and placed them into word. Im sure you’ll find more occasion for this as you learn more yourelf. Although I am not relegated to the use of a chair at this time, I AM confined by braces, and as life goes on, I find that I see a chair “somewhere” over a next horizon. Im neither young nor strong as I once was. I suppose all I really came to say was that I understand what this sight is about,and I can only hope to understand more about its members. And you, and yor ability to write so profusely..and descriptively..have offered me a new understanding of BIID, and those it affects. My hat is off to you my dear lady.
Best regards from an Old SOuthern fart,
ANd May you ALL have a HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Steven
3 On 2 January, 2008, Claire said:
Thanks both of you for your comments.
Steven, I very much appreciate your taking the time to let me know that you enjoy my writing. It makes it all worthwhile when I know that someone has gotten something out of it. :o)
Happy New Year to you as well.
That is interesting, your comment about being “wheelchiar bound”. I remember a column in a newspaper, written by a disabled person, years ago. She said the same thing about the phrase “confined to a wheelchair”. The last thing she was was confined.
This reminds me of a fridge magnet my aunty has (she works with mentally challenged people)
and has DISABILITY with the DIS crossed out and in smaller writing underneath saying “dont dis,me”
nope is wrongly quoted sorry
“DISABLED”
dont mind me havent been sleeping well lately
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1 On 23 December, 2007, Sean said:
Wow, loads of stuff in there!!!
First, it could be argued that even though some other countries don’t have the ADA, they are in fact “better”, because accessibility requirements are built in other laws. Indeed, why have a separate law to dictate building requirements for accessibility when it could in fact be included straight into the building code? Why have a separate law banning discrimination to people with disabilities when it could be included in the Human Rights declaration? It *should* (though is not usualy) be sufficient to prevent discrimination. But we’re humans, and discrimination happens, and it hurts when it’s so flagrant.
Regarding wheelchair bound, I do believe that it is in fact liberating. It’s the only way for me to be free, and as bad and aggravating as putting up with the barriers are, it’s the only way for me to go forward.
It is fascinating how we can put ourselves in such situations though, where you now have no choice but to wheel in some areas. Part of the wheeling experience, for me, is having no choice about the matter.