Ophelia > wrote:

>TammyM wrote:

>> Appropos of nothing: a few years back, I had a pretty bad accident
>> and was temporarily confined to a wheelchair. To lift my spirits, my
>> dear old mom (DOM, aka Demo Dolly #1) took me to the farmers market. Was
>> an eye-opener to how disabled folks are treated. I got the
>> filthiest looks from people who were obviously "inconvenienced" by my
>> wheelchair-bound presence. I even heard one person mutter under her
>> breath "you're in the way"!

>A couple of years ago, I was in a wheelchair for several months. I never
>had the awful experience that you had, it was more that I had lost the power
>to speak for myself.

>'How is she today?', was a common question

>I felt like saying... 'hellooooo I am right here!!'

Due to ongoing gout I sometimes now walk with a cane. When doing
so, I notice an instant decline in the number of people who talk
to me, the number of strangers who smile and say hello.

I knew this effect would exist but was somewhat surprised
at how distinct it is.

Steve