How to treat people with disabilities

     TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT

     In my last post, I said I was going to tell people how they should treat people in wheelchairs or with disabilities.  People with disabilities are just like everyone else so we wanted to be treated like everyone else. That's not too hard, is it? If you don't know what to say, just say hi or hello or what's up dude? Just say what you would say to anyone else. I'm lucky that most people in my school just treat me like a regular guy. 

     So, be patient. It might take us longer to answer a question or respond. It's okay with me if you ask questions, especially for kids. I've had kids ask me or my family why I'm in a wheelchair and we just answer honestly. I know I have a wheelchair, you don't have to pretend that you didn't notice. 

Here's what not to do:

Don't baby us! 

Don't assume we can't hear you or understand you!

Don't stare!

Guess what? I nominated my Adaptive PE teacher for teacher of the month and she won. We got to be on TV (on WGN in Chicago). She is such an awesome teacher and she treats all of the kids in Adaptive PE with respect. She is so patient. Here is the clip:

http://wgntv.com/category/news/teacher-of-the-month/

Later,

Jack