do they we scare you
2006-12-11 04:08:44 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I usually don't look at people with disabilities because I don't want them to think that I'm staring at them or that I think something is wrong with them. I don't want to offend them or anything.
2006-12-11 04:23:14 · answer #1 · answered by funnygrrl19 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me it is because I don't want to show pity. I know no one wants to feel pitied. It is hard to know how to react and uncomfortable.
I try my best to treat a person in a wheelchair as I would someone walking and just nod or say hello. Not go out of my way, but not ignore either.
I would never draw attention to someone or embarrass someone by saying "aww" or asking inappropriate questions. But if someone needs help or gets stuck somewhere and is alone, I would help.
I admit, it is uncomfortable to see someone different. I work with elderly, most of whom have to use a wheelchair and also worked with people with MS, so it is not as shocking for me to see a person in a wheelchair. I think we can only learn this from exposure to it. If we all realize that it is the person in the wheelchair who counts, and not the wheelchair, and actually look at the person, we will get better at it from practicing it. And that is the only way people will learn this, to actually face their discomfort and look.
2006-12-11 04:20:34 · answer #2 · answered by kristin c 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not afraid but I have this silliness where I get uncomfortable with myself. I want to treat that person the same as any other stranger, so I don't want to be extra nice just because he/she is in a wheelchair and I don't want to be less than what I'd be to another person, so I get all stupid and probably try not to look so as to ignore the fact that I noticed the wheelchair at all.
2006-12-11 04:15:51 · answer #3 · answered by Lilly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are people afraid? I think those people in wheelchair are the one who are afraid to be looked at by people. I was never aftraid to look a person in a wheelchair.
Or you can look at it this way: the people who are afraid to look at the people who are in a wheelchair have imagined theirselves in the position of the people they are looking at. Naturally, you would be afraid or worst, terrified because you don't want it to happen to you.
2006-12-11 04:23:55 · answer #4 · answered by alvin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why should someone be afraid to look at one in a wheelchair beats me, I have never come across this situation and if someone has this problem it's THEIR problem not the invalid.
sad world at times don't you think?
2006-12-11 05:48:18 · answer #5 · answered by poetrygirl on line 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I actually dated a man in a wheelchair once... He turned out to be scarry for very different reasons though, had NOTHING to do with his injury!
So watch the generalizations buddy!
2006-12-11 04:16:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
personally, i think if i look at them for more than a glance, they will think i am staring at them BECAUSE they are in a wheelchair. i don't want them to feel funny, or think that i feel sorry for them.
2006-12-11 04:14:35 · answer #7 · answered by barb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They feel unsure about how to interact with the person and so to avoid feelings of awkwardness, they avoid eye contact. I know, it's ridiculous, but that's pretty much the reason.
2006-12-11 04:15:29 · answer #8 · answered by Blue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People in wheel chairs are our best friends. Love them ,talk to them,hug them,make love to them,and they are less likely to hurt us.
2006-12-11 04:25:56 · answer #9 · answered by plumber 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋