Post by davehascp on Jul 1, 2016 23:02:22 GMT -5
Hello everyone.
I am Dave. I like to write. I haven't had much time to write on these boards since coming back (I was a member several years ago but deleted my entire account), but today I am at a coffeehouse with a friend and have plenty of time, so some thoughts are going to slowly find their way into this post.
A little more about me to augment my introduction..
I have cerebral palsy that mostly affects above the waist, so I am ambulatory and although I have a reserve chair, I only use it for long distance. I thankfully have fair to middlin balance, so with the assistance of a set of AFOs I can walk pretty good distance. That being said, my hands and speech are most problematic, as I have no finger use (fists only) and my speech is something friends learn to understand. Because of these two reasons, I'm usually in the company of an aide or friend when out on the town. But I travel solo when just going from one place to another, such as my place over to my sister's, or going to rec for the day and back. I use public transit and, if it's a medical appointment, I use the paravan service available here.
Okay, so having described that, I want to ask a general opinion of everyone reading this.
On occasion, usually when riding public transit while solo, people try to give me money. I don't ask for it, and I don't think I look like a homeless guy! I can't figure out if they think I'm homeless or what, or just feel sorry for me or something. I'm uploading a pic my friend just took of my while I type, so tell me, do I look like a regular guy or a bum? lol.
Here are two examples, out of all the times this has happened, which is on average about once a month.
One time I was riding a city bus home from my sister's place and a family of tourists got on. We were headed downtown and I overheard them saying they wanted Powell Street. That was my stop too, so I told them two more stops, get off when I do! I don't think they could understand me, as the mom just said thank you in such a way I've learned means she had no idea what I said but she didn't want to be rude and try to make me repeat it, so the placated me. They got off two stops early and I heard the dad say, we just need to find this Powell street now. As they were getting off the bus I told them again it's two more stops. So what did he do? Turned around and smiled, gave me a twenty and said thanks for your help. But they still got off there! Also I didn't take the twenty (he handed it to me, he would literally have to put it in my belt bag if I accepted). In hindsight I should have taken it ;-) Why the fuck not, right?
Case #2 Not long ago I was with my sis on one of my visits to her place, and we had walked around to her corner market. They have chairs set up in front, so I usually wait for her there while she grocery shops and I check out the people coming and going, especially of the good looking female type, lol. Two such walked in, being two girls about college age, a bit young for me but I said hello anyway. No big deal, I say hello to almost everyone, I'm just friendly that way. They both smiled and nodded back, which is a common reply. But they left before my sis was done, and on their way out one of them tried to hand me a five dollar bill. I asked her why she was giving my money, but got that puzzled look that seemed like she couldn't understand. so I slowly said I'M NOT HOMELESS! She apologized and took the five back. There are so many panhandlers in this city I think she seriously thought I was some down and out homeless disabled guy. I wear decent clothes when I'm out and I never look shabby, I hate going out looking unshaven so I always be sure to be trimmed and shaved, but I still get cash offers. So..
A. Do they think I'm homeless and mentally disabled due to the speech difficulty? I'm anything but!
B. More importantly, should I keep the money? LOL. I might start doing that. I you can't beat em..
Out of those two girls, after I refused the five, the friend turned to the girl who offered it and said, why did you try to give him money? as they walked away. So I don't think everyone thinks I'm homeless, only a few I guess.
I am Dave. I like to write. I haven't had much time to write on these boards since coming back (I was a member several years ago but deleted my entire account), but today I am at a coffeehouse with a friend and have plenty of time, so some thoughts are going to slowly find their way into this post.
A little more about me to augment my introduction..
I have cerebral palsy that mostly affects above the waist, so I am ambulatory and although I have a reserve chair, I only use it for long distance. I thankfully have fair to middlin balance, so with the assistance of a set of AFOs I can walk pretty good distance. That being said, my hands and speech are most problematic, as I have no finger use (fists only) and my speech is something friends learn to understand. Because of these two reasons, I'm usually in the company of an aide or friend when out on the town. But I travel solo when just going from one place to another, such as my place over to my sister's, or going to rec for the day and back. I use public transit and, if it's a medical appointment, I use the paravan service available here.
Okay, so having described that, I want to ask a general opinion of everyone reading this.
On occasion, usually when riding public transit while solo, people try to give me money. I don't ask for it, and I don't think I look like a homeless guy! I can't figure out if they think I'm homeless or what, or just feel sorry for me or something. I'm uploading a pic my friend just took of my while I type, so tell me, do I look like a regular guy or a bum? lol.
Here are two examples, out of all the times this has happened, which is on average about once a month.
One time I was riding a city bus home from my sister's place and a family of tourists got on. We were headed downtown and I overheard them saying they wanted Powell Street. That was my stop too, so I told them two more stops, get off when I do! I don't think they could understand me, as the mom just said thank you in such a way I've learned means she had no idea what I said but she didn't want to be rude and try to make me repeat it, so the placated me. They got off two stops early and I heard the dad say, we just need to find this Powell street now. As they were getting off the bus I told them again it's two more stops. So what did he do? Turned around and smiled, gave me a twenty and said thanks for your help. But they still got off there! Also I didn't take the twenty (he handed it to me, he would literally have to put it in my belt bag if I accepted). In hindsight I should have taken it ;-) Why the fuck not, right?
Case #2 Not long ago I was with my sis on one of my visits to her place, and we had walked around to her corner market. They have chairs set up in front, so I usually wait for her there while she grocery shops and I check out the people coming and going, especially of the good looking female type, lol. Two such walked in, being two girls about college age, a bit young for me but I said hello anyway. No big deal, I say hello to almost everyone, I'm just friendly that way. They both smiled and nodded back, which is a common reply. But they left before my sis was done, and on their way out one of them tried to hand me a five dollar bill. I asked her why she was giving my money, but got that puzzled look that seemed like she couldn't understand. so I slowly said I'M NOT HOMELESS! She apologized and took the five back. There are so many panhandlers in this city I think she seriously thought I was some down and out homeless disabled guy. I wear decent clothes when I'm out and I never look shabby, I hate going out looking unshaven so I always be sure to be trimmed and shaved, but I still get cash offers. So..
A. Do they think I'm homeless and mentally disabled due to the speech difficulty? I'm anything but!
B. More importantly, should I keep the money? LOL. I might start doing that. I you can't beat em..
Out of those two girls, after I refused the five, the friend turned to the girl who offered it and said, why did you try to give him money? as they walked away. So I don't think everyone thinks I'm homeless, only a few I guess.
