YSK That many people with a disability consider their aides (wheelchair, etc.) an extension of themselves. You should ask before touching or moving them.

[u/LtSoundwave]

Read this article and was surprised to hear how many people struggle with this. Even if you are trying to help, you should ask first.

www.bbc.com/news/disability-49584591

[u/KaizDaddy5]

Makes 100% sense to me.

Embarrassed to admit, that it never even crossed my mind before this.

TY

[u/TheRiddleOfClouds → u/KaizDaddy5]

Saw this happen a lot when I was working in the restaurant industry. I'm sure my servers were well meaning when they went to put someones aide in a corner out of the way, but it would make it so difficult for that person to get up to use the restroom or leave when finished, especially when dining alone.

[u/KaizDaddy5 → u/TheRiddleOfClouds]

Yea.

Fortunately I haven't been in many positions where I'd feel compelled to touch something that is an aid.

But this makes so much sense.

People that receive controllable prosthetics devolop parts of the brain to deal with the prosthesis as if it were a natural part of the human body.

They've even done experiments on able bodied people where they hook them up to a remote controlled arm or other device. Depending on how long they are hooked up the same thing can happen with an "extra" appendage.

Freaky thing is if it's left connected long enough and then remove, the person will feel as if they have lost the limb, akin to losing a limb they had since birth.

I'm not sure if the pain sensation is the same, but it very much feels like they've lost an arm. Even psychologically distressed too

Edit: I'm sure many hockey and lacrosse (amount others) will tell you that their stick "is an extension of themselves" , at least the good ones.

[u/Twrecks5000 → u/KaizDaddy5]

That mentality is also (in my experience) taught when learning martial arts with a weapon.

The amount of times someone would ask to go to the washroom, get permission, put their bo down, and then get told by sensei to take it with them because it should be “an extension of yourself” [sic] was a surprising amount.

I mean it makes sense, and with the amount of practice and katas i’ve done with a bo I certainly have some sort of extra... “comfortability”(?) with them as opposed to if I was handed a longsword or something I haven’t practiced with.

[u/KaizDaddy5 → u/Twrecks5000]

Omg yes great example.

I practiced Tang soo do, and my bowstaff definately was (and prolly still is). Maybe a little different bc lots of things can be an improvised staff. But still applies at least some

[u/kayjillynox → u/TheRiddleOfClouds]

Yup, my dad has to use a walker and can’t walk more than a two steps without it. He also doesn’t speak english very well. As a kid I always had to go flag down waiters or chase them down to figure out where they put his walker.

[u/ColombianGerman → u/TheRiddleOfClouds]

My in-laws lived with me up until recently, they were both stroke victims that had to use walkers. Every time we went to a restaurant the waiters would tell us they had to move the walkers elsewhere. I would try explaining that they would need to go to the bathroom and can’t hold it for long, but the waiters didn’t care. Many times my husband would have to help change a parents depends (diaper) in a restaurant bathroom because the waiter couldn’t bring the walker in time. My in-laws were so embarrassed. We didn’t eat out much obviously.

[u/AngryGoose → u/[deleted]]

This is what sane, intelligent people do. It's refreshing to meet people like that.

[u/[deleted] → u/AngryGoose]

It really is, and it's really refreshing to see it appreciated. It's up to the individual to change but it's up to the group to help them.

[u/Diffident-Weasel → u/KaizDaddy5]

I think it’s really easy to not realize this if you aren’t exposed to disabled people often. But it’s great to take the info and learn!

[u/KaizDaddy5 → u/Diffident-Weasel]

Yea, I mentioned that further down, that thankfully I haven't been in many situations where I'd feel compelled to do so.