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Chapter 14

MEETING PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL CHALLENGES

This has probably happened to you already: You have seen someone at the mall, or somewhere else, who has a physical challenge. Or you may have been introduced to a person with a physical challenge. It could be an older person in a wheelchair or a guy your own age who has an artificial leg. It is Okay for you to wonder why someone has a bad scar or only has one arm. It is not Okay, however, to ask that person, “What happened to you?”

You may feel awkward when you meet a person with a physical challenge. But you should do your best not to stare. Until you know the person well, it is not a good idea to ask questions about his or her challenges.

YOU DO

Say, “It’s nice to meet you,” when you are introduced to someone with a physical challenge—just the same as when you are introduced to any new acquaintance.

YOU DON’T

Say, “What happened to your leg [or your face]?” when you are introduced to a person with a physical challenge.

Why

When you focus on just one aspect of a person’s life, you are probably missing out on a lot. How would you feel if every time you met someone, they simply stared at your hair or your nose? What if they asked you, “How did you get so fat?” or “Why are you so skinny?” You know there is a lot more to you than the way you look. It’s the same with a person who has a physical challenge.

When a gentleman meets someone with a physical challenge, he never blurts out remarks such as, “I would die if that happened to me.”

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When a gentleman is introduced to someone in a wheelchair, he never asks, “Will you ever be able to walk again?”

A gentleman offers any assistance he can to physically challenged people. He offers them the same courtesies he would other people, such as opening doors.