Do you think that it is bad that my friend and I sometimes pretend to be handicapped?

Question

My friend and I sometimes pretend to be handicapped just to see how people will treat us differently. Usually one of us plays the handicapped role while the other is observing the reactions of people around us. It is amazing to see how rude some people are and how badly they look at you just because you are young and seem to have a problem with your body. At the same time, it has shown us a lot about how handicapped people probably want to be treated. Do you think that it is mean or twisted for us to enjoy "tricking" peolple when we do this?

Just so that you will know, the friend that I do this with is deaf. That is how we got the idea. He was wondering if people acted differently when a handicap was more visible, since people rarely realize that he is deaf because he reads lips.

Ravenmistmoon- No, we have never used it as a way to get into places or get any special treatment. The most special treatment that we have ever recieved is a door being openned.

I should add that we have also done other things to make ourselves look like we are not what most would consider average just to see how people react when we appear to be different. I have pretended to be pregnant, spoken in different dialects, and other things that deviate from the norm.

Everyone carries a label that society puts on them whether we like it or not. Most people have the advantage that they have a "normal" label, like being the funny girl, or the guy that gives good advice. My friend and I simply wanted to see what it is like to see how people are treated when they have a label that is not considered normal by most people. We wanted to see just how often people can see past a wheelchair and discover that someone is not the guy in the chair, but instead is the guy with a nice laugh.

Answer 1

Reminds me of the book _Black Like Me_, written by John Howard Griffin, a white journalist who darkened his skin and posed as a black man in the segregated South of 1959. Another reporter, Ray Sprigle, did the same thing eleven years before. His story, titled "I Was a ***** in the South for 30 Days," was serialized in newspapers across the country. Both men helped to open the eyes of many Americans to the reality we had created in "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Just be careful that you don't go too far. What you're doing is essentially dishonest and could have dangerous repercussions. You wouldn't want to insult the very people you are trying to better understand, would you?

Answer 2

No u shouldnt go around pretending ur handicapped consedering that u more fortunate then some besides how would u feel if u woke up and was actually handicapped or if one of ur sibblings where handicapped and u seen others pretending that they was hand. Put yourself in a real handicapped situation wouldnt u think that the ones pretending was actually making fun?

Answer 3

Yes. I could see if you were going undercover to see how handicapped people were treated but to enjoy tricking somebody like that just isn't right. I have a handicapped nephew and I am always amazed at the outpouring of people trying to help me when they see us out and about. You faking that is slapping any good willed people in the face. Stop doing it..

Answer 4

Well, if you're not making fun of them, then no. If you are making fun of them, then yes. I myself have been in the hospital countless times, and the only problems I have are heart problems and ear problems-still, people treat you differently, even if you have minor problems like that. Just think of what it would be like for someone who has a mental retardation.

I have some friends who are blind, and they get treated differently, not only by people they don't know, but also by their friends and family.

I also have a friend who is Asian, and English is not his first language-people think he's stupid just because he speaks a different language, and that sucks too.

Next time you see a disabled person, or someone who is different, please treat them with respect-and they will do the same in return. :)

Answer 5

If you did it ONCE as an experiment to see how handicaps are sometimes treated, then fine. But anymore than one time is weird. It's disrespectful to real handicap people. Seek attention some other way.

Answer 6

This is awful especially when your friend is deaf. I find this especially insulting. I am deaf myself i use lip-reading when I have to but for the most part i use ASL for my needs. Your not doing it for any social documation studies.! Your doing it to "trick people" well let me tell you! i cant trick people into believing I'm hearing.
do you use it to get into places as well or get goodies i was appalled! please! for a person who has fought for equal rights. and excuse me. visible or no visible i have had no problem with people being rude to me! once they know I cant hear! from.. oh can you read? do you understand this? or when my daughter was younger so you'll take care of y our mother right? so pls don't give me that! four months ago i was with a hearing friend ive known for 22 years that learned sign language. we were in a store this guy came up passing out sign language cards (disgusting) he was fumbling signs so i stood there asking him why he was doing this etc!! i blocked his way this man wasn't deaf he was hearing!!! my friend heard him talking under his breath to this woman with him. i blew a gasket! so how dare you! yes its twisted!

Answer 7

As long as you don't use the rights or the privilages given to 'differently abled' or 'physically challenged' people then I believe it is fine.

What I really hope, and actually what I understood is that you are trying to understand how some people are misbehaving, and I believe it is a good start to try to engage in some social activities to increase the awareness of this segment of people.

Take care, and good luck!

Answer 8

I think you have already got what you were lookin for. You've seen the bad side of humanity with you're little prank. But be reminded...not all are the same and there are people who think and feel differently. Now I sugest you pull off this gig before you end up in trouble!

Answer 9

No, it is not bad to pretend you are handicapped. I have played wheelchair basketball and I have full use of my legs. It gives you insight on how it feels to be physically impaired as well as first hand knowledge of how others treat you.

Answer 10

you would possibly want to not be sitting on the computing gadget all nighttime, this is for certain. My advice is connect some activities....both connect a interest or musical club in school or connect something outdoors of faculty like a children church team or something. It feels like you want practice socializing face-to-face with human beings. it really is standard, each individual desires to practice and a thanks to attempt this. yet socializing head to head is a very diverse potential from chatting on line. So get out of your position and become in contact with human beings! it is going to take time yet issues receives extra efficient. severe college commonly purely sort of sucks for most persons. you at the instantaneous are not on my own.