Wheelchair Etiquette: My Biggest Pet Peeves 

How about when they talk to the person you are with instead of you directly? My husband hates that one. Or when you are identified only by your chair? I one time requested a table for 4 stressing we preferred a table rather than a booth. The hostess replied back to me, "okay, three people and a chair?" I had to inform her that I am a person, not a chair.

here's one, your rolling along and someone literally walking in front of you without disregard, and if you hit them because you couldn't stop fast enough, its like walking in front of a car and then suing them for your stupidity

Literally LOL at 3:50. Ugh, such a classic. Cheers to you, girl, for handling it with grace!

Thank you for having this forum to talk. I have just started using a wheelchair and in a couple weeks, I will be getting my fitted one. I feel so fortunate that I live in an area of the USA that is very wheelchair/disability, etiquette educated. There are still those who say hurtful or ignorant things, but I know it is saying more about them, than it is about me. It's a shame we have to be aware and prepared every time we go out, to be an educator. How I see it, if we don't do it, who will? So far, I have only been a bit angry at one person. She was a cashier at Goodwill, who asked my friend I was shopping with, talking over me like I was deaf, "Oh, are you her caregiver?". I loudly said NO!! I won't go into detail, but when she was done scanning my things, I briefly and gently explained to her why I was irritated. She said she'd never do it again. It is better to say things in a gentle way and not be cranky, but sometimes I am in pain and don't have the energy to teach others proper wheelchair etiquette. Generally, most people know enough to be polite. "Could I get the door for you?" and "Do you need help?" If I say "no thank you", please don't say, "Are you sure?" It is OK to ask, but respect my answer. Asking, "How come you have to use the wheelchair?" or "what happened to you, can be phrased to, "May I ask you a personal question about your disability/chair, etc.? Is perfectly OK with me to ask, but be aware, we as wheelchair users are not always in the mood to be teacher. Sometimes I like to share about my diseases, other times I feel very privet. If I am too tired, I try to remember to tell them that they can learn about wheelchair etiquette on Google.

Great video and channel. I've had similar experiences. It's people like you (being open about disability) who have inspired me to create my own channel. Keep up the good work!

I’ll never understand why when we’re in public as wheelchair users people think they can do or say some of the things they do it drives me crazy. If there’s an adult asking me about disability the first thing that usually come out of their mouth is when was your accident and I’ll say no I was born like this but usually if I get asked why I’m in a wheelchair it’s by kids I rather have kids ask me about my disability rather then adults because kids are more satisfied with just a simple answer

People try and push my chair too even though it is a power chair. 🤔 Then they act so pleased with themselves as they helped me get somewhere and it like...unless you're the incredible hulk you didn't help at all haha

WOW I totally agree with everything you’ve said. Unfortunately I can relate also.

Keep up the vids!

I was just walking normally with my crutches and braces, going from point A to point B, and the lady who's house I was visiting said "bless your heart"... UGH!

Im a guy in a ♿️ and I get “you’re too handsome to be in a ♿️.”

I have spina bifida also, although mine isn’t as severe. You look like you’re doing great

My brother was pushing me on a sidewalk in Canada and he was talking to someone walking next to me... So when we crossed the street and I tried to warn him about the lip in the curb, he didn't hear me and he ended up dumping me out on the sidewalk! :O

I agree

Keep uploading! New sub!

Great video, I totally agree with everything, including Lisa´s comment below. I also have SB, I am from Norway. We may have talked on Instagram a while ago :)

My sister is 29! I’m 22. Sorry for all the comments lol

Somebody actually said to you "you're too pretty to be in a wheelchair."?!