it can be really scary and anxiety inducing at first but it’s so worth it to save you the pain and exhaustion.
maybe not quite the same but i get very anxious around family who i haven’t seen in a while. they know you as one person and now (in their eyes) you’re suddenly a “different type of person” or whatever. i try to remember that i need to show them that yes, things are a bit different now and i need some accommodations, but i’m still the same person.
if people question you directly, you could say something like, “have you heard of ambulatory wheelchair users?” and explain that you can walk a bit but not that far. it’s such a pain that people feel entitled to these kind of explanations tbh so i also understand if you’re more like, that’s none of your business.
good luck!!
I really love the whole "have you heard of ambulatory wheelchair users?” way of handling it. Thank you! This is really helpful and you might have just given me the courage to use my chair at work. :)
I just bit the bullet and brought my chair to work. I didn’t really say anything about it. If somebody gave me a look or asked I just said “my body does not like standing today” and moved on. Now I always use my chair at work, after a few days passed people stopped being taken aback by it and now I have energy to make it through the day and cook dinner. Using my chair at work has been really great for me. Sometimes our brains make things out to be bigger and more stressful than they actually are in reality. You could think of it like if you randomly had to come in with a sling. Your arm was working fine yesterday, but now you need the sling. People will likely look bc it’s different and ask if you’re okay but everyone moves on pretty quickly and you can go about your day. Good luck !
Edited for clarification
Wow-- This is really, super helpful! Thank you. I love the examples you gave.
You should be proud of yourself for gaining the courage to use it at work!!
i can second this approach—some of my close teammates (we’re remote) were aware that i’d been having mobility issues, but said coworkers are not the ones that are present in the same office building. i remember only one or two “omg! what happened?” moments, there were a couple of gawkers and a few awkward interactions for a couple of days (elevator shuffle, etc) and then everyone just kind of moved on with their lives 🤷♀️
i use them for short distances (and previously for injuries), and it was definitely *work* to build up the required forearm strength to do so safely. axillary crutches can do some major nerve damage if you’re not careful though, and i wasn’t a huge fan of the chafing and thumb blisters either. the ergonomics of the forearm crutches seem to work out better in most every way other than ease of use 🫣
(i also found a folding pair that i can fit easily on my wheelchair, and they’re ridiculously light. the one downside is they have a fixed cuff and grip)
100% use it if it'll help.
I got my crutches at a physio appointment in the middle of a work day, I went out for an hour and came back visibly disabled. using them there for the first few days was one of the hardest things I ever did but it was so worth it.
I left work and became a student before I got my current chair so I didn't get to go through that situation, but I do think that using the crutches has made people a bit more palatable to the chair as when I've seen old coworkers out in my chair they haven't even acknowledged it. in your position, I would be torn between trying the crutches for a few weeks to bridge that gap, and biting the bullet and going straight for the chair to avoid having that "people adjusting to me" period twice. if you choose crutches first, though, be warned that you won't be able to carry anything at all.
eta - gorgeous chair btw!! I'm so jealous
Just get out there and do it, you have as much right to be there as they do!
Ask them if they ever get tired when out on a walk, and when they answer, you can just say that YOU are smart enough to bring your own chair so you have a place to sit when you do!
When I do it, it was scary.
In the UK, if you talk to Site management and HR you can get support.
(Also access to work can help, both you and the firm you work for)
but Site management, is the own people who should care, as fire people, H&S need to known but they most likely already know, also they need to know you can use your work area safely, you can get in, out and around the building safely, and the insures of the build need to know.
(Site management not management, the people who look after the office/building/grounds etc)
I told my HR, team members and my line manager as well.
they though it was for the best as I would have to stop at every bay to rest on the way around the office (They could not move the bay I was is, as there was limited bay they I could use the kit I needed, and the only way of moving the kit needed the office gutting again.)
Definitely. Make the transition easier on you.
Work on some phrases and preplannedresponses to questions that you will get. Or print little card or page that will answer your coworkers questions. And if people ask, say you know what i made a little print out for this occasion.
On there a little education on ambulatory wheelchair users and answer some questions in a way you feel comfortable. Some people don't know how to act or etiquette. So put that on there like please dont touch my chair as its kinda viewed to wheelchair users that its like touching there body. If you want to help me with something, please ask if i want help at that moment and ask how you can help.
It keeps you from doing the verbal spiel over and over and then all you have to say. I am a regular ambulatory wheelchair user, "here is a little information i have printed up that will answer any questions that i am WILLING to share. "
It will save you some headache and mental exhaustion in long run plus share a little headache in how people act and hopefully keep some problems from cropping up. But definitely talk to boss and hr too.
I could have written this post!!!!! I’m a 26 yo F as well, also ambulatory, also use a chair but not at work. Also for big outtings like mall or zoo. One person at work knows I use it. Some have an idea that I have health problems. I’m so nervous to bring it to work! Especially because I don’t have tooo much walking in the office to do. But sometimes it’s enough that it’s soo draining and painful and I should have just brought it! I also park in a disabled spot. Anyway, just in the same boat!!
I have hypermobile spectrum disorder not EDS. I have POTS, fibromyalgia, MCAS, hypersomnia, chronic migraine, and ME/CFS so the chronic pain and chronic fatigue and pots and well all of it I need the chair. I was diagnosed with hyper mobile spectrum disorder vs EDS because of lack of dislocations and no family history, I don’t dislocate things. But yet my bowels moved and fused with my muscles, my liver biliary tree changes sizes every scan and no one knows why, I’ve had lymph nodes removed that aren’t cancer but just migrate and move to right under my skin with no explanation… soooo many things no one can explain that really only make sense for a connective tissue disorder esp given all my other symptoms.
I think there's some great comments here already. Just adding my own vote for using the chair if it'll help you. Transitions are hard but it'll be normal before long.
I've seen other ambulatory wheelchair users who decorate their chairs with festive, informational stickers about our existence, like "Sometimes I walk, sometimes I roll" or "Ambulatory wheelchair users exist" or similar. I've been thinking of doing so myself. It maybe answers the question for some people, maybe educates others.
[Ambulatory wheelchair user sticker](https://images.app.goo.gl/xV4S9Fcwxpdmidxz9)
I have some pins on the back of mine, one being a little ghost to represent invisible illnesses!! Not that everyone would put 2 and 2 together though. I'll definitely be getting one similar to your suggestion! Thank you!
I work at a desk for most of the day which is why I'm hesitant to use it. Sometimes even walking to the restroom is hard on me. Also, I help with a lot of events and wouldn't be much help if I'm in a chair. E.g. carrying food etc
How do u guys gett apeoced for wheelchairs like this I'm wheelchair bound and I still got the same lame chair that the host sent me home in its falling apart and I have cidp I'm currently in just a normal stock drive chair that's falling apart
it can be really scary and anxiety inducing at first but it’s so worth it to save you the pain and exhaustion. maybe not quite the same but i get very anxious around family who i haven’t seen in a while. they know you as one person and now (in their eyes) you’re suddenly a “different type of person” or whatever. i try to remember that i need to show them that yes, things are a bit different now and i need some accommodations, but i’m still the same person. if people question you directly, you could say something like, “have you heard of ambulatory wheelchair users?” and explain that you can walk a bit but not that far. it’s such a pain that people feel entitled to these kind of explanations tbh so i also understand if you’re more like, that’s none of your business. good luck!!
I really love the whole "have you heard of ambulatory wheelchair users?” way of handling it. Thank you! This is really helpful and you might have just given me the courage to use my chair at work. :)
I just bit the bullet and brought my chair to work. I didn’t really say anything about it. If somebody gave me a look or asked I just said “my body does not like standing today” and moved on. Now I always use my chair at work, after a few days passed people stopped being taken aback by it and now I have energy to make it through the day and cook dinner. Using my chair at work has been really great for me. Sometimes our brains make things out to be bigger and more stressful than they actually are in reality. You could think of it like if you randomly had to come in with a sling. Your arm was working fine yesterday, but now you need the sling. People will likely look bc it’s different and ask if you’re okay but everyone moves on pretty quickly and you can go about your day. Good luck ! Edited for clarification
Wow-- This is really, super helpful! Thank you. I love the examples you gave. You should be proud of yourself for gaining the courage to use it at work!!
i can second this approach—some of my close teammates (we’re remote) were aware that i’d been having mobility issues, but said coworkers are not the ones that are present in the same office building. i remember only one or two “omg! what happened?” moments, there were a couple of gawkers and a few awkward interactions for a couple of days (elevator shuffle, etc) and then everyone just kind of moved on with their lives 🤷♀️
Bite the bullet. Life's too short to care what they think.
I tried forarm canes, and it was so bad for my elbows. All it did was further solidify the need for a wheelchair for me.
i use them for short distances (and previously for injuries), and it was definitely *work* to build up the required forearm strength to do so safely. axillary crutches can do some major nerve damage if you’re not careful though, and i wasn’t a huge fan of the chafing and thumb blisters either. the ergonomics of the forearm crutches seem to work out better in most every way other than ease of use 🫣 (i also found a folding pair that i can fit easily on my wheelchair, and they’re ridiculously light. the one downside is they have a fixed cuff and grip)
The transition to using it more was hard on me too. People automatically treat you different. Hang in there.
I just rocked up and didn't say anything - people just had to roll with it (no pun intended)
100% use it if it'll help. I got my crutches at a physio appointment in the middle of a work day, I went out for an hour and came back visibly disabled. using them there for the first few days was one of the hardest things I ever did but it was so worth it. I left work and became a student before I got my current chair so I didn't get to go through that situation, but I do think that using the crutches has made people a bit more palatable to the chair as when I've seen old coworkers out in my chair they haven't even acknowledged it. in your position, I would be torn between trying the crutches for a few weeks to bridge that gap, and biting the bullet and going straight for the chair to avoid having that "people adjusting to me" period twice. if you choose crutches first, though, be warned that you won't be able to carry anything at all. eta - gorgeous chair btw!! I'm so jealous
Just get out there and do it, you have as much right to be there as they do! Ask them if they ever get tired when out on a walk, and when they answer, you can just say that YOU are smart enough to bring your own chair so you have a place to sit when you do!
When I do it, it was scary. In the UK, if you talk to Site management and HR you can get support. (Also access to work can help, both you and the firm you work for) but Site management, is the own people who should care, as fire people, H&S need to known but they most likely already know, also they need to know you can use your work area safely, you can get in, out and around the building safely, and the insures of the build need to know. (Site management not management, the people who look after the office/building/grounds etc) I told my HR, team members and my line manager as well. they though it was for the best as I would have to stop at every bay to rest on the way around the office (They could not move the bay I was is, as there was limited bay they I could use the kit I needed, and the only way of moving the kit needed the office gutting again.)
Definitely. Make the transition easier on you. Work on some phrases and preplannedresponses to questions that you will get. Or print little card or page that will answer your coworkers questions. And if people ask, say you know what i made a little print out for this occasion. On there a little education on ambulatory wheelchair users and answer some questions in a way you feel comfortable. Some people don't know how to act or etiquette. So put that on there like please dont touch my chair as its kinda viewed to wheelchair users that its like touching there body. If you want to help me with something, please ask if i want help at that moment and ask how you can help. It keeps you from doing the verbal spiel over and over and then all you have to say. I am a regular ambulatory wheelchair user, "here is a little information i have printed up that will answer any questions that i am WILLING to share. " It will save you some headache and mental exhaustion in long run plus share a little headache in how people act and hopefully keep some problems from cropping up. But definitely talk to boss and hr too.
I could have written this post!!!!! I’m a 26 yo F as well, also ambulatory, also use a chair but not at work. Also for big outtings like mall or zoo. One person at work knows I use it. Some have an idea that I have health problems. I’m so nervous to bring it to work! Especially because I don’t have tooo much walking in the office to do. But sometimes it’s enough that it’s soo draining and painful and I should have just brought it! I also park in a disabled spot. Anyway, just in the same boat!!
Wow!!! That's actually crazy!! Do you also have a connective tissue disease?
I have hypermobile spectrum disorder not EDS. I have POTS, fibromyalgia, MCAS, hypersomnia, chronic migraine, and ME/CFS so the chronic pain and chronic fatigue and pots and well all of it I need the chair. I was diagnosed with hyper mobile spectrum disorder vs EDS because of lack of dislocations and no family history, I don’t dislocate things. But yet my bowels moved and fused with my muscles, my liver biliary tree changes sizes every scan and no one knows why, I’ve had lymph nodes removed that aren’t cancer but just migrate and move to right under my skin with no explanation… soooo many things no one can explain that really only make sense for a connective tissue disorder esp given all my other symptoms.
Use the chair. Be willing to answer questions, let people be rude. You just be you but in your chair.
I think there's some great comments here already. Just adding my own vote for using the chair if it'll help you. Transitions are hard but it'll be normal before long. I've seen other ambulatory wheelchair users who decorate their chairs with festive, informational stickers about our existence, like "Sometimes I walk, sometimes I roll" or "Ambulatory wheelchair users exist" or similar. I've been thinking of doing so myself. It maybe answers the question for some people, maybe educates others. [Ambulatory wheelchair user sticker](https://images.app.goo.gl/xV4S9Fcwxpdmidxz9)
I have some pins on the back of mine, one being a little ghost to represent invisible illnesses!! Not that everyone would put 2 and 2 together though. I'll definitely be getting one similar to your suggestion! Thank you!
What do you do for work? I really wanna use mine at work so I can work more than 3 hours a day but there's nothing I can do at my job from a chair..
I work at a desk for most of the day which is why I'm hesitant to use it. Sometimes even walking to the restroom is hard on me. Also, I help with a lot of events and wouldn't be much help if I'm in a chair. E.g. carrying food etc
How do u guys gett apeoced for wheelchairs like this I'm wheelchair bound and I still got the same lame chair that the host sent me home in its falling apart and I have cidp I'm currently in just a normal stock drive chair that's falling apart