Being in a wheelchair can draw mixed emotions and experiences. Although wheelchair users feel restricted, they still report significant improvement in activities than not using any chair. It increases their productivity and provides more opportunities to participate in activities outside their homes.
Wheelchair use increases mobility and independence, but it can also be a source of frustration. Wheelchair users develop feelings of inferiority because they feel embarrassed for not conforming to the standards of society. They also have limited opportunities to engage in activities that boost their confidence. They may feel vulnerable and powerless, amplifying feelings of isolation. Accidents such as tips, falls, or accidental contacts are inevitable, causing further restrictions to their already limited movements. Accidents, either requiring medical attention or not, still affect their social function and health. Aside from these, humiliation, frustration, and loss are among those wheelchair users commonly experience.
Humiliation
Those who use a wheelchair can often experience humiliation, especially in public. They feel embarrassed, shamed, or discounted because of using wheelchairs. It can be annoying when people talk down to them as if there is something wrong with them. Moreover, it greatly affects them when people give them civil inattention, glancing at them followed by immediate withdrawal of visual attention. People stare but act as if they are not present.
They are worried that they might embarrass their family members in public. However, they are also concerned about their companions creating more trouble over simple things. Furthermore, they have to plan their activities, such as bowel management, to avoid inconveniences, which removes the spontaneity of activities. Asking for help from strangers can be troublesome for them. They need to be always on guard for humiliating moments, and that can be taxing.
Frustration
Being in a wheelchair creates frustrations among wheelchair users. It takes away their independence because they rely too much on assistive technology devices and their family members. To avoid being a burden, they constantly worry about causing danger to themselves and other people, so they become overly cautious of their actions. Adding to their frustration is when caregivers do not understand or know how to help them. It creates conflict between the wheelchair user and caregiver, leading to misunderstandings.
Being in a public place amplifies their frustration. People assume that wheelchair users are always available for uninvited conversations about the equipment or their experiences. Furthermore, it frustrates them when people compliment or encourage them for merely continuing on their lives. Although they appreciate kindness from other people, it can be frustrating when other people treat them as fragile people or cannot do things just because they are in a wheelchair.
Loss
Wheelchair users experience multiple losses, and dealing with loss can be challenging. Wheelchair users have to deal with the loss of independence and privacy. Due to limited mobility, they rely on other people to care for their daily physical needs.
One loss that is relevant to their identity is the loss of a job. They have to let go of their career goals because of their physical limitations. They are also denied the opportunities to enjoy and explore other human experiences.
Despite the negative effects of wheelchair use, being in a wheelchair widens their perspectives and teaches them about humility. Wheelchair users consider their struggles as a humbling experience. They get to appreciate experiences that they used to take for granted. It also provides a fulfilling feeling to prove to others that they are still capable despite their limitations. It is a proud moment for them to accomplish tasks that others believe they cannot do. They also find joy in using their experiences to educate and increase awareness about disability.
Although more people have accepted the idea, wheelchair users still experience apprehensions when in public. They have to deal with humiliation, loss, and frustrations. Aside from that, they also have to work their way around environmental obstacles. All of these factors can be a lot for them to handle. However, some ways can help both wheelchair users and other people ease each other’s experiences on wheelchair use.
- Take various preventive measures such as having regular wheelchair maintenance, installing seatbelts, and using a professionally prescribed wheelchair to reduce the risk of wheelchair accidents.
- Use the experiences of wheelchair users to educate people about issues or concerns concerning people with disabilities.
- Treat all people, not only wheelchair users, equally and with respect.
- Offer kindness but respect the preference of the wheelchair users on how they want to be helped.
- Practice open communication among family members to avoid any frustrations.
- Appreciate acts of kindness from other people.
- Coordinate with different public and private organisations to adopt a wheelchair-friendly environment to address the needs of wheelchair users.
If you’d like one on one mental wellness support, please reach out and we can put you in touch with the right people.
Content provided by our partners in mental wellness:
Comments are closed.