Thanks, this is a great list.
I would add one other misconception - that we need their help to cross the street. When I'm trying to cross a road in my wheelchair, some people react quite unpredictably. For example, people driving on a 4 Lane road will often try to be polite by stopping and blocking one of the Lanes, probably thinking that I want to rush across the street through 3 other lanes of traffic. Often, well-meaning people will stop in the middle of an intersection, causing traffic back-ups. I am much more interested in crossing the road safely rather than crossing it quickly. I would prefer that people act more predictably. I wish they would simply obey the speed limit, use their turn signals, and put down their cell phones. I'm happy to wait a minute or two for five until traffic clears out. Dave Krehbiel From: Don Price [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 5:31 PM To: quadlist Subject: [QUAD-L] Top Nine Myths about People with Paralysis http://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/dailydose/2012/08/06/top-9-myths-p eople-believe-about-individuals-livin Here are the results to our question along with some of the commentary from our community: What is the # 1 myth you think the general public believes about individuals living with paralysis? 1. Not interested or can't have sex. (19.0%) Yes, somethings still work. - Chill 2. Life must be so sad. (18.0%) A lot of peple think that we are not suppose to be intelligent, productive people who enjoy living a full life doing those very same things that people who are not paralyzed like to do. We work, fall in love, get married and raise a family, we have a social life, yes we do enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. - Marva 3. Number one wish is to walk. (14.8%) Every opportunity I get I let people know that paralysis is so much more than not walking. Yes, I tell them I can't poop or pee on my own...to complete strangers but they need to know!!! - Wheelchair Mama 4. Mind must not work either. (13.0%) People seem to automatically associate impaired physical function with a mental deficiency. I often meet their comments with: "I broke my spine, not my mind." - Catherine 5. Must not have any pain. (9.9%) People think, well your paralyzed that means you can't feel anything how could you possibly have pain? (My husband) lives with indescribable nerve pain, the worst in his hands and in his feet and butt. - Susan 6. Unable to have a successful career/family/life. (9.2%) So many people want to blow sunshine up our a**es, or, want to believe that we are bitter if we don't have hope of ever walking again. But in reality, many of us have come to terms with our respective situations and have chosen to make the best of it. - CJohn 7. Only medical problem is the paralysis. (8.8%) There is significant neuropathic pain, bowel and bladder control, fighting with insurance companies, reduced energy, changed relationships, loss of independence, lack of access to our homes an no financial help for needed accessibility adaptions or exercise equipment, increased infections (especially UTIs)' and lack of appropriate sensation that allows for some spectacular accidents (and AD). - Shel 8. Have all expenses paid by the government. (3.9%) "So, how do you get by? Social Security?" Yeah, because we, as individuals, are part of a disadvantaged minority group, we all must either be on the government dole, or looking for a handout. And because the former must be true, we all must be liberals. - CJohn 9. Always want help. (3.5%) No matter what an #### someone is, I should alway's be nice and gratefully for any unwanted help I get! - Ben All of the above are myths, some are just more pervasive.
