Here I am posting my reaction to the Austin Stokes case. In case you've, I dunno, been living under a rock for the past 24 hours, Austin Stokes is a 14-year-old with CP (Cerebral palsy, which I also have) who was beat up Thursday by a SENIOR at his high school. How did this all start, you ask? Senior called Austin a retard, and Austin retaliated by throwing a Coke can at him. The other kid then punched him so hard he was knocked off his feet and chipped a tooth when he hit the ground. Austin is legally blind and the left side of his body is paralyzed. Now, someone just pointed out to me. "Well, Austin is the one who made it physical by throwing a Coke can." Really? You expect him to not defend himself. Okay, let's say he didn't throw the Coke can. What if Austin had simply said, "Well, you're an asshole." I don't think the other kid would've been any less likely to punch him, with or without the Coke can. The point is, if "retard" had not been said, this would not have happened. Trust me, I know how it is. I've been called 'retard'. I've also been called, 'Pillsbury' and when I was in high school I used to be afraid to go down the hall after lunch because there was a football player who'd say, "Give me your lunch money or I'll flip your chair."
What is more appalling is that this kid is facing simple assault charges. We need to stop sending messages to our children that it's all right to prey on the weak. Austin can't defend himself. Neither can I. Sure, if I was in my chair I might be able to do SOMETHING, but if you take me out of my chair and beat the crap out of me I could potentially lie there for HOURS because I can't get up.
But that's just my opinion.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Handicapped Parking and Elevators
I have been thinking for a while that I need a place to rant about things that I as a cripple have to deal with that the non-cripple never thinks about. This seems like the perfect place to do it. So here goes.
1. Handicapped parking
Look, I get it. Handicapped parking is nice. It's really close to the door. That's the point. All the time, whichever friend of mine is driving me says, "Cool! I forgot, I'm with you so I can park in the handicapped spot!" I always laugh, because it's true. But here's the thing. They can only park in the handicapped spot because they are with me. Handicapped spots are for people that CAN'T walk long distances to the door. If you can walk, it might be a longer way, but start walking. I would if I could. Please understand, I'm not trying to be rude. I do realize that there are some people that have disabilities that are less "visible" than a guy in an electric wheelchair. I get it, and that's fine, but those people aren't even the ones I'm addressing here. Every single time I go somewhere, there is someone parked in a handicapped spot that doesn't have a handicapped placard or license plate. What I'm saying is this. If you don't have a placard, don't park there. Parking there for "just a minute" is a minute too long. Also, don't use a handicapped person's placard if that person isn't with you. That's just wrong. Like I said, if you can walk, walk! Being Ambulatory is a gift from God. Don't waste it.
Before I continue, I just want to say that I am not trying to be coarse or spiteful. I'm not one of those "Oh woe is me, I'm crippled, pity me" whackos. Life is too short to go around seeking pity. You're dealt the hand you're dealt. Sometimes you're dealt a bad hand, but so what? The only person stopping you fro making your life better is you. Me? Yeah, I'm crippled but that doesn't mean my life sucks. It doesn't. The point I'm making is this. Unless you deal with a disabled person on a regular basis, you don't think about these things. So you can think of this as my attempt to "make the public aware." As I said in yesterday's post, this is all my opinion. You can take it or leave it. If anything I say offends you, stop reading, unfriend me, do whatever you wish, but it's not my intention to offend. As I said, this is the world as I see it. Now with that said, moving right along.
2. Elevators
You know what makes me sick? You know what makes me so mad I could just spit? Seeing an elevator full of ambulatory people that are fully capable of walking upstairs. It never occurs to anyone to get out, and make room for someone in a wheelchair, who actually relies on it to get places. Now, this is where I will get in trouble. I am fully aware that obesity is recognized and protected by the ADA. I am also aware that some people have gland problems that stop them from losing weight. But get real. I'm from the South and the south is the fried food capital of the world. My personal opinion is that if you are overweight, you did it to yourself. Each and every person reading this is capable of deciding what to put in his or her own mouth. If you have to huff a little to get upstairs, good! Your heart will thank you! I KNOW that sounds mean, and if I ever develop a readership I know I'll get negative comments for that. But, for everyone that thinks this is mean, I ask you. Please. Go sit in a wheelchair for a day and have every elevator you try to catch be packed with ambulatories and then get back to me.
Okay, I better stop before I really get in trouble. CAG out.
1. Handicapped parking
Look, I get it. Handicapped parking is nice. It's really close to the door. That's the point. All the time, whichever friend of mine is driving me says, "Cool! I forgot, I'm with you so I can park in the handicapped spot!" I always laugh, because it's true. But here's the thing. They can only park in the handicapped spot because they are with me. Handicapped spots are for people that CAN'T walk long distances to the door. If you can walk, it might be a longer way, but start walking. I would if I could. Please understand, I'm not trying to be rude. I do realize that there are some people that have disabilities that are less "visible" than a guy in an electric wheelchair. I get it, and that's fine, but those people aren't even the ones I'm addressing here. Every single time I go somewhere, there is someone parked in a handicapped spot that doesn't have a handicapped placard or license plate. What I'm saying is this. If you don't have a placard, don't park there. Parking there for "just a minute" is a minute too long. Also, don't use a handicapped person's placard if that person isn't with you. That's just wrong. Like I said, if you can walk, walk! Being Ambulatory is a gift from God. Don't waste it.
Before I continue, I just want to say that I am not trying to be coarse or spiteful. I'm not one of those "Oh woe is me, I'm crippled, pity me" whackos. Life is too short to go around seeking pity. You're dealt the hand you're dealt. Sometimes you're dealt a bad hand, but so what? The only person stopping you fro making your life better is you. Me? Yeah, I'm crippled but that doesn't mean my life sucks. It doesn't. The point I'm making is this. Unless you deal with a disabled person on a regular basis, you don't think about these things. So you can think of this as my attempt to "make the public aware." As I said in yesterday's post, this is all my opinion. You can take it or leave it. If anything I say offends you, stop reading, unfriend me, do whatever you wish, but it's not my intention to offend. As I said, this is the world as I see it. Now with that said, moving right along.
2. Elevators
You know what makes me sick? You know what makes me so mad I could just spit? Seeing an elevator full of ambulatory people that are fully capable of walking upstairs. It never occurs to anyone to get out, and make room for someone in a wheelchair, who actually relies on it to get places. Now, this is where I will get in trouble. I am fully aware that obesity is recognized and protected by the ADA. I am also aware that some people have gland problems that stop them from losing weight. But get real. I'm from the South and the south is the fried food capital of the world. My personal opinion is that if you are overweight, you did it to yourself. Each and every person reading this is capable of deciding what to put in his or her own mouth. If you have to huff a little to get upstairs, good! Your heart will thank you! I KNOW that sounds mean, and if I ever develop a readership I know I'll get negative comments for that. But, for everyone that thinks this is mean, I ask you. Please. Go sit in a wheelchair for a day and have every elevator you try to catch be packed with ambulatories and then get back to me.
Okay, I better stop before I really get in trouble. CAG out.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Aww Here it goes.
So I wanted to blog. So for the past week I have done all this research on blogging, things like, "What should I write about?" "What's my 'Niche?' I didn't find the answer to those questions. I just know I like writing things, and I think it would be kinda cool to get famous because people read random crap I said over the internet. So this is my blog. Here are the "need-to-know" facts about me.
1. I am 25.
2. I am still in college. I am seeking a double BA in English Literature and Theatre Performance. Both of these degrees are what most people consider "useless." But here's the thing. It's my life, my education. Maybe I am deluded, but I like to believe that I am talented enough to make something of myself.
3. I have moderate spastic Cerebral Palsy. I use an electric wheelchair, but am working on transitioning to a manual wheelchair because I know that will be better for my long-term health.
4. I am not politically correct. I call myself a cripple. People sometimes say I shouldn't call myself that. To me, if it doesn't bother me, it shouldn't bother you. I realize words can be hurtful. I have been called hurtful things, and I do my best because of that to never hurt or offend others. That being said, everyone has an opinion, and that's what this is. My opinion. I hope I can provide some entertainment through this, we'll see.
5. That's it. If you read my blog, you'll get a bit of everything. Enjoy!
1. I am 25.
2. I am still in college. I am seeking a double BA in English Literature and Theatre Performance. Both of these degrees are what most people consider "useless." But here's the thing. It's my life, my education. Maybe I am deluded, but I like to believe that I am talented enough to make something of myself.
3. I have moderate spastic Cerebral Palsy. I use an electric wheelchair, but am working on transitioning to a manual wheelchair because I know that will be better for my long-term health.
4. I am not politically correct. I call myself a cripple. People sometimes say I shouldn't call myself that. To me, if it doesn't bother me, it shouldn't bother you. I realize words can be hurtful. I have been called hurtful things, and I do my best because of that to never hurt or offend others. That being said, everyone has an opinion, and that's what this is. My opinion. I hope I can provide some entertainment through this, we'll see.
5. That's it. If you read my blog, you'll get a bit of everything. Enjoy!
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