would most people who work with disabilities for a living know not to feel sorry for them?

Question

im disabledd and i dont want people feelin sorr for me, its not inhuman

Answer 1

I think so, if they are trained as professionals. Experience and knowledge about the lives of disabled people tends to come with professional training, so you are less likely to see someone who is disabled in a stereotypical way.

If you don't have professional training which helps you to understand that people with disabilities are not "pitiful", you may tend to see disabled people that way.

Of course, the negative consequence of constant exposure to "bad luck" stories is that you can sometimes get a little jaded and maybe lose some of the compassion that people who don't work in the field have. But that detachment helps to keep a focus on doing one's job well. For instance, if a surgeon was operating on you, you wouldn't want her to get all choked up and sorry for you because you're disabled; you'd want her to concentrate on her work.

Of course there are exceptions to the above. But if you want my opinion, professional training really makes a difference.

Answer 2

I'd say half. Some would pity them, which is not what the person wants or needs.
I grew up with a sister who had Polio, spent most of my childhood in Shriner's Hospitals because she was so sick and my mom was a nurse there. The children in these hospitals were the only playmates I had for years, so I was taught never to pity anyone one, but should I see they might need a hand (like opening a door or reaching something they can't) I ask them would they mind if I helped in that way, then I go on about my business.
About half the folks in this country are like that, open the door for someone who is having difficulty or reach something on a high shelf for them.
I have found myself disabled in the last 5 years from 3 vehicular accidents-one, I was on a motorcycle and was hit by a pu truck- and an on the job accident from when I was younger that have all come to haunt me. Most of the time I can get around with a cane....bad weather I'm stuck in the wheelchair and have to take meds for pain and nerves,and I can't go outside during the summer in the daytime.
98% of disabled people don't want pity, that is the last thing they want or need, but a kind offer to reach something they can't or to open a door when they can't seem to get the chair they're in to cooperate with them goes along way.
I have (when I was still able to work) worked with disabled people, they want to be treated like everyone else and about 98% of them are very self sufficient!

Answer 3

I have worked with the disabled in a hospital setting. They are some of the most determined self-willed people I have ever met. I quit feeling sorry for them after about 1 hr. I found out I had to get out of the way or get mowed down by a speeding wheelchair or tripped by the long reach of a cane. I've also seen some acrobatics that could not be paralleled done by people with prosthesis or a wheelchair. It's a whole new world and you dare not feel sorry for them, they won't let you. They have a sense of humor all their own also. It is said that if you appreciate the sense of humor in a culture you understand the people. Handicapped people have their own culture. I especially love the humor of the blind and the deaf and also of the mentally disabled. Have I written enough to qualify myself as disabled?

Answer 4

I truly think it depends on the person with the disability as well as the person working with the other person.

My friends and family often forget I don't see well. My late father particularly forgot alot and would say to me look over there and my mum would cough and he 'd say oh yeah and then describe what he wanted me to look at.

If the disabled person makes an issue out of being disabled, brings it up constantly in conversation etc then yes I think many people working with someone disabled might feel sorry for them. However most disabled people would prefer not to, they'll quietly educate their colleagues on what the extent is to their disability and what accomodations they need, but then it's onto the regular watercooler talk.

I think it's time that most TABS realize that disabled people live the same type of lives everyone else does- we have family, friends, we root for sports teams, we participate some of us in sports, we travel independently. We get crushes on celebs just like other people. We read books , are political or non political, cook our own food, do housework. In other words disabled people are just like everyone you know but with a small difference.

Answer 5

Yes, I work for a company that provides in-home care for persons with disabilities. Most of the workers I know do not feel any more sorry for persons with disabilities than they would for a person that has cut their finger or broken their leg. They {disabled persons} are after all, people just like everyone else...they are just "made" a little differently. I don't believe they want to be treated any differently. Not to sound harsh--we are caring and compassionate, but I would not want people's pity.

Answer 6

Most work accept them for who they are. Not everyone can work as a carer. Remembering that they are people who have disability just more then others. Without these people carers will not have a job. The trick is to find how to communicated with them. Each one has their own way.

I am gratefully that I can live fair independently. All the people I paint with have a disability or mental illness. We have a couple who needs carers and they can only came for one 1/2 day a week.

Answer 7

I've worked with the disabled. It's weird certain disabled people I don't feel sorry for, but others (like the ones that require a lot of hospitalization and isolation I do).

I'm on the fence of whether I want people to feel sorry for me or not. I'm not supposed to make myself out to be a victim but at the same time I get crapped on for showing strength.

Answer 8

Boo
I can relate your question. because I worked with consumers at CP center for yrs
I didnt feel sorry for them at all I had a good working relationship with them. I feel if your going into this type of work you cant feel sorry for them
some people with disabilities are getting the support that they need.
On the other side of the coin if you work as a res hab worker
you need to have some sort of compassion for the client
EG If a parent dies or something of that nature you need
to help support them because you may be the closest family
that they have at that time in their life

Answer 9

I don't work with people with disabilities because I feel sorry for them, I work WITH people with disabilities because they are PEOPLE, who have the same thoughts, feelings, wants and needs as myself, the only difference is they need assistance to do certain things that I may take for granted.

As a qualified carer we are taught to be respectful & courteous of our clietns needs and wants, treat them as a person at all times, and not to ever focus on the persons disability.

I guess it also helps that I have a disability myself, so I have great empathy for people with disabilities too, which goes along way with my clients as they know I struggle to make it through the day some times. Giving us a mutral ground to work on, and thankfully they are very understanding when I am unable to work. And I'd be very cross if the told my they felt sorry for me.

Answer 10

I used to work at a summer camp for children with special needs, I can honestly say I didn't feel sorry for them. Whether they were blind, deaf, quadriplegics, they were cool.
People with special needs aren't any different than anyone else as far as who they are, the only difference is how they do things. I've seen a young man that was blind ride 10 miles on a steep hill that most seeing people couldn't ride. I've gone swimming with people that have genetic disorders that we don't even know the names of that have more joy than I've ever seen. Feeling sorry for someone because they are different is ignorant.