Darky said:
Natnat x said:
they're acting like disabled people dont have friends, just cause you're in a wheelchair dont mean you dont have friends, whoever thought that is a mindless duffess. disabled people are just as normal as anyone, so dont let them get you down Kelly, in a way they are being kind, cause they think there helping you, someone should ring them up, and tell them how its not!
But really now.. I think you all may be overreacting a little bit.
It's not like it says, "Befriend a disabled person today, because they simply can't make friends themselves!"
It's nice to know that a service is available for people who
do have difficulties with something like that. Don't forget that there are many, many different disabilities - some of which make it difficult to have a good social life or the like.
I agree.
If there arent any services available, people complain, if there ARE services available,
people complain too, because they are badly worded :
I think a sign like that is good - to raise awareness.
Alot of people would probably like to help, and didnt know how they actually could..
its not like you can just walk up to someone in the street and say "hey, you look a bit lonely, wanna be friends?", now can you?
So if there is a number you can ring to find out how you could help (doing someones shopping, playing boardgames in the afternoons, or just accompaning someone to the shops - i think it is WONDERFUL!
Of course just because you are in a wheelchair doesnt mean that you dont have any friends.
However alot of people with mobility problems do have a lack of social life, sometimes (like in the case of my Aunt) because it actually hurts when they move about much and so they rather stay at home (my aunt is in her thirties and rarely leaves the house).
Sometimes just because the places where their friends and colleagues go arent accessible for them (stairs etc).
Sometimes because they work with closeminded people who dont want to socialise with disabled people.. list is endless.
In the case of my aunt, there was another problem. In order to get to some of the bigger shops she had to cross a bridge.
Now that itself wasnt a problem, she got an electric wheelchair. But it was a very narrow pavement, with a road with loads of traffic.
She was terrified of going a little bit too far left and ending up on that street.. She was alright if someone was walking with her.
If someone needs that help, and there is a number for people to find out how they can help - great!
Its almost like Day Centers for the elderly are an insult too, because they are implying that all old people have no friends or family that cares. :