Assumptions

The last week or two, I've become quite conscious that we all make assumptions. Well, that's quite an assumption, isn't it? Am I assuming that you make assumptions? You might not. But I think we all do in one way or another.

I have a friend who often says, "Assume makes an ass out of u and me." (Look at what ass u me spells.) I haven't decided whether I agree with him on that one... not yet, anyway.

Here are just some of the assumptions I have heard or witnessed in the last couple of weeks (some were me, some weren't):

• Getting to church on my own is more difficult than going with my hubby.
• Criminals are always male.
• The car that has crashed up ahead is a black BMW.
• The driver of the Porsche convertible on the M1 is a young man.
• If a dog is attached to a wheelchair, it must be to pull the chair.
• Waiting outside a toilet means I can't open the door.

Actually only one of the above turned out to be true and, though I hate to admit it, even that one wouldn't be true on every occasion. (Sometimes the car that has crashed might be a black Audi).

Let's be honest, we all do it. We see someone and we make assumptions about them. Often, we are not even consciously aware of it. So what do people assume about wheelchair users? Here are my top ten assumptions that I would like to knock on the head!

1. Wheelchair users don't work (and if they do, it must be a low skilled job).
2. Wheelchair users find it more difficult to get around than people who walk.
3. Wheelchair users need to be pushed (or at least have someone who can push them when they get tired).
4. Wheelchair users can't walk.
5. Wheelchair users can't drive.
6. If you come out of the accessible toilet and a wheelchair user is waiting to go it, they are judging you.
7. Wheelchair users are old.
8. Wheelchair users don't get much exercise.
9. If wheelchair users did Pilates/Yoga, or took a certain vitamin/herbal supplement, or had a more positive attitude, or really put their mind to it, they would regain full mobility.
10. Using a wheelchair is the ultimate tragedy, a fate worse than death.

Don't get me wrong, I have bad days. I have days when I'm tired. I have days when I'm not well. I sometimes hurt myself doing something that shouldn't be at all dangerous. I sometimes feel grumpy and lose patience with someone.

But doesn't everybody? Those things happen because I'm a human being, not because I'm a wheelchair user.

I'm trying to be more conscious of when I'm making assumptions about other people. It might not stop me making assumptions but it might make me more aware of my own attitudes when I interact with others. Anyone want to join me?