Geo1
New Member
Posts: 24
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
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Post by Geo1 on Oct 6, 2018 21:06:26 GMT -5
Wow and I thought I was the only one. Where I work I'm the only one in a wheelchair. I've been at this command for 8ish years. When I first reported I was using a cane (Progressive MS). Over the years I progressed to one forearm cane then two. Then.....reluctantly a wheelchair. The day I showed up in a wheelchair my direct supervisor was ready to adapt the entire building to what ever I wanted. "Soooooo what do you want!" It's day 3 in a chair for me.....I'm still trying to fold the freaking thing. I don't know. Since then....I have been asked to speak at command lectures 2 times. Got a page w/ picture in a diversity mag. Been asked to speak ("you will be in the wheelchair right") at disability awareness week. Truth me told the disability awareness was fun for me. I got 2 wheelchairs and two people and had them in a chair for a day. They had to report their experiences to the director and then a presentation. Some of the things they said made an impact. They told of how pissed they were that non handicapped people use the handicapped stall when there were 5 normal ones open. That people would watch them struggle to open a door (doors very heavy where I work) and not offer help. And a few other stuff. So yes some where I work treat me as a token..... but there are others who try to understand.
Wow I am glad I found this site thank you.
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Post by Betty on Oct 6, 2018 21:24:41 GMT -5
Geo1 I noticed your use of the term "command" to refer to your job. And I see you're in Virginia. Are you in the military? I'm also wondering, are forearm canes the same as forearm crutches?
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Geo1
New Member
Posts: 24
Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled Male
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Post by Geo1 on Oct 7, 2018 13:33:16 GMT -5
Geo1 I noticed your use of the term "command" to refer to your job. And I see you're in Virginia. Are you in the military? I'm also wondering, are forearm canes the same as forearm crutches? Betty I should have said company. I'm retired Navy. And yes forearm crutches. When I made the decision to use a WC, most friends thanked me because they always were picking me up from a face plant. I'd tell them don't worry about the fall....celebrate the bounce.
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