Surprise Impact

I got an e-mail last night from one of my best friends from college with an idea for a blog entry. She writes:

"(One time) we went into the bathroom (at the movie theater), and there was a line, but the handicapped stall was empty. I was about to burst, and you told me to go ahead and use it first because you didn’t need to go that badly. I remember asking you what the “rules” were about using that stall and waiting in line. It was a very educational moment for me."

She goes on to suggest that I write an entry or two about “the rules” for dealing with disability because a lot of people “don’t know how to ask the questions they want to ask, or if those questions are even acceptable to ask.”

An excellent suggestion indeed! But before I launch what is sure to be a series of entries about what I think the rules are, I have to admit that I don’t even remember the incident she is referring to.

I’m sure it played out exactly as she says it did. I’m a firm believer that anyone can and should use the accessible restroom stall if it is the only one free. If there are other open stalls, use those first unless all of those are out of toilet paper. Then, it’s every woman for herself!

The point is, I don’t remember this incident because being in a wheelchair is so normal for me that the handicapped stall “rule” is second nature. It’s logical, as most of “the rules” are.

My friend’s wonderful e-mail reminds me that people with disabilities have a unique opportunity to be good teachers every day by being open about what they need and what they think. I can educate just by being active and living well. And that’s pretty cool!

I don’t remember telling my friend to go ahead and use the handicapped accessible stall, but I’m glad to know that she remembers.