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Wheels in the City
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The Dilemma of a Politically Correct Mentality – Mouths motoring faster then minds By Chantal Huinink It is my understanding that the reason behind political correct language is to be as inclusive as possible. I am certainly in full support of this ideal...
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By Chantal Huinink In the realm of disabilities there are a variety of impairments including physical, social, emotional, and intellectual disabilities, which create a wide range of capabilities. Some people with disabilities relate best to those facing...
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It may not be possible to walk on water, but I can most certainly roll across it! I recently enjoyed the most pleasurable experience of my life, sailing through the Caribbean on a Carnival cruise ship. Surprisingly the trip was not greatly complicated...
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The public persona of persons with disabilities has both positive and negative aspects that are probably evaluated differently by each individual on wheels. I am not like every other person with a disability nor do I wish to be associated with each one...
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Let’s face it; although I recognize the importance of physical attraction and eventual intimacy in serious relationships, I rarely express myself physically. Emotional and psychological aspects of a relationship are far more important to me. That is not...
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Sometimes I feel that my wheelchair is an unwanted shield against cupid’s flaming arrows. In this column I intend to shed light on frustrations faced by many with disabilities in the romantic realm. As I mentioned in the last edition, sometimes I wish...
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Modern medical technology has saved the lives of many born with or later acquiring a disability. As the incidence of disability increases in our society so too does the appearance of wheels on TV. So this column is dedicated to how the small screen is...
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As a child, my disability never factored into my self-concept. Reasons for this were not that I was unaffected by it or that I refused to admit it to myself; I simply didn’t make the connection between things like my many doctors appointments and my wheelchair,...
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In my experience with the able-bodied public, most do not have a very thorough understanding of accessibility. However many remark that it only took slight contact with a wheelchair user, or a brief experience in a wheelchair themselves, for them to recognize...
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Thus far I feel I’ve made the most of my capabilities, but I can also understand why people feel the need to encourage me. I know many see me as someone who is continuously overcoming the obstacles and beating the odds. Such people are very impressed...
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There are reasons why I don’t like labels, and there are times when I wish I was capable of more. But they say a picture speaks a thousand words, and when I am confronted by my limitations I am glad my wheelchair does some of the talking. In a busy store...
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Ever since I was little, my chair has been many things to me. I was brought up to understand that my disability wasn’t going to get in the way of anything I set my mind to, and my chair enabled me to do many things. If I was “walking” with others, it...
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We live in the age of political correctness - one where medical breakthroughs have made us aware of many reasons for various disadvantages and new disabilities. In many cases, people have struggled all their lives with certain tasks and are getting tested...
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My roommates are great people. We have a lot of fun together, and to them I am just one of the crew, even though they’re all able to walk and I am not. They know most of my limitations and do not appear to be bothered that I do not do as many chores around...
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Planning leadership development for 15 and 16-year-olds for my job this summer was an internal struggle for me. I knew that physical activity and athleticism had to be part of the program, as many of the participants were very energetic. Furthermore,...
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My faith is very important to me. I believe miracles happen everyday, and I know theoretically I could be healed at any moment. At present however, as well as in the foreseeable future, I am meant to use a wheelchair. Members of my church and other people...
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When I was little, attending summer camp meant taking many risks. The most memorable one was using the trampoline. I could not jump, but I would lay on it while my friends jumped around me, causing me to bounce up and down with them. Practically every...
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This summer, Wheels in the City came to you from a children’s summer camp where I worked as a Leadership Coordinator. I was very glad to leave the city, and I felt good about the new job. But I also sympathize with those who had to go on the summer job...
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This week The Wheelchair Site is recognizing extreme wheelchair athlete Aaron Fotheringham! I came across Fotheringham’s video featured on the Colours Wheelchair homepage, as I was browsing the web last week. If you don’t already know who Aaron Fotheringham...
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When people mean well, but say the wrong thing I once heard a wheelchair-using comedian speak on terminology. He said in the 1940's he was known as “crippled”; in the 1950's he was called “handicapped”; in the 1960's he was considered “confined to a wheelchair”;...
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If it's not accessible, we make it accessible! Perfect accessibility is a wonderful dream and a worthy goal. In reality, until stairs are eliminated, technological aids are everywhere, and smooth terrain covers the earth, there are still plenty of obstacles...
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Weather isn't exempt from the rule "No white after Labor Day!" I love snowmen, skating and salted sidewalks, but I hate getting my wheelchair tires stuck in the snow and having my batteries die because of the frigid cold. Unfortunately, the dreaded white...
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Choose your own Adventure I've learned that no matter how I choose to conduct myself, life is an adventure with pros and cons attached to every choice I make. My being in a wheelchair raises many personal choices that are associated with my physical versatility....
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How Living Life to the Fullest Plants the Trouble Weed The root of conflict between me and many healthcare professionals is planted by our differing perspectives. For a healthcare worker to be effective, much of their world revolves around the medical...
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Finding a New Kind of Independence in 3 Steps Complete physical independence has never been an option for me because I depend on a wheelchair to get around. However, there are notable differences between my reliant years and my satisfying independent...
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