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 the house as they do. Mind you this may be because they know I do what I can.  Nevertheless, I think a major factor in the success of our living arrangement has to be their easy-going and compassionate natures.

They understand that I need to keep certain mobility aids in the bathroom and others around the house, as well as the fact that I need to have attendant care providers coming and going at various times throughout the day.  These aspects of my disability do not faze them; however there are limits to anyone’s understanding.  My roommates do not understand any details of my personal care, nor are they privy to any remnants of my health care routines lying around the house.  It is not as though I go to great lengths to hide such things and I’m sure they’re not oblivious, but I make an effort to be discrete because I know that they are aware of all that they could need to or want to be.

They’re able to relate to me just like they would any friend or housemate because we have mutual respect and a reciprocal connection. However my discretion is vital because they don’t show me their private routines nor do they see personal care routines of their other friends.  Also, other friendships do not usually involve the willingness, let alone the desire to share such personal information.  If I did so, I do not believe we would relate in the same way.  I don’t consider myself any different.  When I do bring my disability into the forefront I find they treat me differently.  It is not as though they do not want to interact, but they seem to act more consciously or assume responsibility for given situations.  We get along great because although my disability is included in everything, I have been able to show them that we are much more similar then we are different and usually they see right past my disability.

If physical challenges are a part of your reality, keep in mind that you are much more similar then different from those who can walk.  It is possible to go beyond the disability while still taking physical challenges into account.

So until next time, keep on rolling in the city!

~ Chantal