The Most Annoying Things Able-Bodied People Do When Trying To "Help" Disabled People

#1

If you see someone alone taking their wheelchair apart to get in to their car, do not rush to their aid as you can very possibly be making things worse for them or ruining their routine. Chances are they have a routine and you are just getting in the way. Ask before reacting.

#2

When dealing with the hearing impaired, a lot of people are quick to raise their voice or even yell. That is just rude. Speak normally to start with, then try to speak slower or with a deeper voice before resulting to screaming at them.

#3

It almost comes naturally to want to help someone in wheelchair, but offering to push them to their destination by asking is what you need to do. Do not take it upon yourself to just go ahead and push them. That is more like kidnapping than helping.

#4

The best thing to do if you come across someone having an epileptic seizure is to lie them down on their side. Do not try to hold their tongue. You will get bit, and if they are on their side, there is no way for them to choke on it.

#5

Treat your disabled customers like you treat anyone else. There is no reason to baby someone who is disabled. It is by far the most demeaning thing you can do.

#6

Be aware of people who are disabled and are nonverbal. Make sure that you are patient with them because trust us when we say, they are more frustrated than you are. Remember to be kind, always.

#7

When you come upon someone with a disability and wish to speak to them or about them, make sure you do just that...talk to them. Do not talk to whoever is there with them about them as if they are not even in the room. It is rude.

#8

Some of us tend to be handsy when it comes to people we feel compassion for. The next time you come across someone who is disabled, do not touch them, even if it is to help them, without their permission.

#9

When visiting someone who is disabled, do not take it upon yourself to clean up or rearrange their things without their permission. There just may be a method to their madness, and you could be making things harder for them.

#10

Do not give offhanded compliments. They are insulting. Saying things like "You're good at your job, even though you've got a little hand" is deplorable. Imagine if you had to live your life as your disability not as someone who lives with one.

#11

I know this one is hard for you especially if you are an animal lover, but under no circumstances should you ever touch someone's service dog. He is there to do a service and is trained for that purpose only not to be loved on by strangers.

#12

Don't Tell A Younger Person "You're Too Young For Back Pain" You have no idea if they suffered an injury at a young age or if they have some sort of degenerative disease. Some comments are better left unsaid. Just because someone is young does not mean they are not immune to pain.

#13

Never make assumptions about someone. Just because you cannot see all disabilities does not mean that a person is without one.

#14

Be aware of what you do around someone with an oxygen tank especially if they warn you ahead of time. Like you would not want to set one of those fancy drinks on fire with a tank nearby. You could literally kill everyone over your negligence.

#15

Giving your suggestions on someone's condition is not appropriate. For example, telling someone with psoriasis "You should try this lotion" may not be welcomed happily. It can really affect someone's mood or feelings. We know you are trying to be helpful, but you are only making them feel worse about their situation. Only give advice when it is asked for.

#16

Asking questions about someone's disability is highly inappropriate. Most importantly, it is none of your business. They do not want your pity when they unload on what ails them, so keep your questions to yourself.

#17

MS is a debilitating disease and people who suffer from MS have to overcome many obstacles in their lives. The last thing they want you to do is baby them. It only makes them feel worse and could eventually lead up to them giving up on trying to lead a "normal" life.

#18

Do not go around spouting off your unwanted medical advice. I can assure you that they know more about their disability than you will ever know. You end up being annoying instead of helpful.

#19

Imitating sign language is neither cute or funny. It is offensive. If you truly want to sign with someone, take the time to learn ASL. Mimmicking ASL is just as offensive as badly imitating someone's foreign language when talking to them.

#20

Don't assume that people with disabilities do not have hobbies. They do, and you should never not invite them somewhere to learn something new just because they have a disability. When in doubt, inclusion is always the way to go.

#21

If you are ever around a narcoleptic, do not freak out if they suddenly fall asleep even if they fall down. Give them a few seconds to wake up, then help them up. Making a huge deal out of it only makes the person feel crappy, and that is not cool.

#22

What ever you do, do not use someone's disability as an excuse to talk to them. Most times they have a hard enough time coping with their daily tasks making them always have to think about their disability. But, keep your disability related anecdotes to yourself.

#23

Here is some things that make disabled people fume right out of the mouth of a person with Muscular Dystrophy.

"I am in a chair (Muscular dystrophy.)

The main issues that drive me nuts are below

Talking down to me like I am a child, without even feeling me out to see if I am mentally disabled.

When people ask whomever I'm out with questions about me, instead of actually asking me. Like, 'How is he doing?' 'Thanks for helping him out!' 'How old is he?' Yesterday I got carded at the casino, and a guard came up to my friend and asked 'Is he of age?' while pointing at me. Such a demeaning thing.

Saying insanely generic 'wheelchair' jokes or questions. 'Is that fun to drive?' 'Sweet ride. Wanna race?' 'Dude, you should get a gas-powered chair.' I realize you are just trying to be nice, but would it kill you to say something not related to my chair?

People being way to overly nice and or helpful. No one is that nice, it feels creepy. I'd rather someone be a dick.

Blank deer-in-the-headlights staring. Okay, I get it. I am different. If you are curious or have a genuine question, please just ASK! I am absolutely willing to have a conversation about it if I am treated like a 'normal' person.

Come up and say (with a fake smile) 'Good for you.' 'Glad you are out.' 'Have fun buddy.'

Of course there are more but those top my list."