Why I Use a Wheelchair When I'm Able to Walk | Ambulatory Wheelchair User

[@EmilysLifeOnWheels]

You don’t have to answer to anyone!! Just keep on doing what you’re doing!! It’s none of their business!!

[@bostonangel06]

I’m new 7 Months knew to ambulatory and I was told on these bus the other day that a guy told me to get a job. I have Gastroparesies

[@IncredibleAnyway]

What a weird comment from someone on the bus! Gastroparesis is rough!

[@bostonangel06]

@@IncredibleAnyway Exactly gastroparesis is an extremely rough illness to have! You know on top of other health issues that I have. If somebody has questions which I’m sure they do just ask you no don’t be rude and make comments. I’ve had plenty people in the past, come up to me and ask why am in a wheelchair, and I have no problem with explaining it. But then you have the others that just come up to you and tell you oh, I seen your foot move. You can work yet. You’re living off the system. That just gets me you know

[@FairyGodpa]

This was great, i think i need to share it. No one has honestly bothered me, but i have gotten looks. It took me ages to get use to my cane, which is funny because when i was younger i always would dress in costumes and had a few fancy canes. I've only taken the wheelchair out a few times at events. I'm at the point lately of needing it enough that I'm not as embarrassed. It shouldn't be that way, but yeah. :/ Thanks for posting this!

[@IncredibleAnyway]

Please share it! I'm glad it was helpful. Using an accessibility device because you need it is a lot different than using it for a costume, so I can see why using would've been an adjustment. Though I think that must've been fun to dress up with fancy canes! :)

[@Dinopoodles]

Have you ever had people tell you? Oh you’re you don’t need that you’re just like the attention. That’s what they tell me sometimes and I have cerebral palsy I’m not an idiot idiot and their comments just make me mad because they’re showing their lack of understanding. I really appreciate hearing your side of things and how things work for you.

[@IncredibleAnyway]

Wow, I'm so sorry people have told you that. I have had people make really hateful comments on social media seeing me walk after using a wheelchair saying I'm attention seeking. They thing they caught me - when all across my social media anyone can see that I walk AND use a wheelchair when needed. Anyone who uses these assistance devices know that in general, it doesn't give us positive attention. Before I had my service dog and only used a wheelchair, people avoided me. As you say, it shows their lack of understanding, but more so their lack of desire to understand. People who say such hateful judgmental things aren't worth our time. What they think doesn't matter.

[@Dinopoodles]

I’m going to go see my doctor about becoming an ambulatory wheelchair user and I think it’s peoples comments that I’m afraid of the most. Thank you for putting out this video it gave me. I hope that it won’t be so bad and then I can handle it.

[@IncredibleAnyway]

You can do it! So many people do not understand that just because someone uses a wheelchair doesn't mean they can't walk. But you can be confident in yourself because you know when you need it! I hope the convo with the doctor goes well!

[@AJJesko]

The majority of people i know with wheelchairs can move to some degree outside it. Actually out of a dozen plus people i dont know a single one thats actually paralyzed and doesnt have any feeling in their legs. Some cant move them at all, some can stand w/wo assistance walk w/wo assistance etc. Doesnt mean they dont need the wheelchair. So many people that use wheelchairs can do some stuff with their legs. Some truly cant, but that doesnt mean everyone else is faking

[@IncredibleAnyway]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I think the more we create awareness and normalize ambulatory wheelchair users, the less the stigma will exist.

[@EmilysLifeOnWheels]

Also just a reminder, i know you get a lot of comments like i do on KZbin, you never have to answer anything you don’t wanna & the block button can be your best friend sometimes

[@DiariesofaDisabledmom]

I have a walker and a cane but I’ve had to use a wheelchair when at the hospital if I go in for seizures cuz it affects my walking. U don’t have to explain itself to everyone

[@IncredibleAnyway]

We need what we need! :)

[@anikabaddeleyrollingbackwa7341]

Lots of people with cerebral palsy use a walker or a wheelchair when they can only walk small distances

[@EmilysLifeOnWheels]

Yes when i was younger i use to walk a lot more !! I’d love to work up to getting back to that !! We shall see how that goes

[@anikabaddeleyrollingbackwa7341]

@@EmilysLifeOnWheels I have lots of your Vlogs left To catch up on. I will probably try and watch them at the weekend when there is less madness at the hospital.

[@annaterranova0724]

@Anika Baddeley rolling bad you are absolutely right I am in the process of getting a power chair

[@MsFlame2000]

Yep ,people don't understand that balance issues can be debilitating. Some people are so boneheaded that they think you must have a lame leg to use a cane or walking stick. When the truth is ,canes are meant for people with balance issues. Because if you have a leg that does not work a cane will not help that. I do get frustrated when people just don't show the ability to use logic. And balance issues are not something that you can always control. I can fall over like a fainting goat before I know what's happened to me. This comes from my battle with fibromyalgia and Hashimoto's disease.

[@IncredibleAnyway]

Oh the fainting goat thing sounds very scary. I'm sorry you deal with that!

[@MsFlame2000]

@@IncredibleAnyway Yeah, I've had it happen in parking lots. So now if I'm going to be walking in a big parking lot or in a big building I use my cane. This was a great video by the way!

[@jimmielynn6829]

Kelly do not care what people think. It's their problem, not yours. You don't have to explain anything to anyone. My wife of 46 years dealt with many issues. She got around with what seemed to be best for her that particular day. She hated the wheelchair. I can't think 🤔 of anyone who wants to be in one. My wife use to tell me people look at you differently when you are in a wheelchair. Keep moving forward with your positive attitude. Criticism is awful. Until you have walked a mile in my shoes keep your thoughts to yourself I always say.

[@IncredibleAnyway]

Thank you as always for your support and encouragement, Jimmie! Your wisdom and insight is very welcome. :)

[@jlastre]

I was recently diagnosed with lupus. I’ve been looking at wheelchairs 🦽 but don’t use one as of yet. I use a cane and take public transit. Got on a bus and scanned my pass. The driver just starts and takes off while I’m standing there. Luckily I grabbed the railing near by. Then she tells me to take a seat. I tell her she can see me with a cane and why’d she take off at a high rate of speed. “I saw you with a cane, but you don’t need it.” I really let her have it. Told her I would sit when she stopped the bus and she better not move. Now every time a board a bus I ask the driver to not move. It’s ridiculous.

[@IncredibleAnyway]

Woah, what a terrible experience. I'm so sorry. People are so ignorant. Glad you are advocating for yourself but hate that you have to!