Comments on: Please don’t patronize people with disabilities http://njnnetwork.com/2009/11/please-dont-patronize-people-with-disabilities/ Not Just the News - technology, music, disabilities, activism, Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:35:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Whyohwhy http://njnnetwork.com/2009/11/please-dont-patronize-people-with-disabilities/#comment-9461 Whyohwhy Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:20:05 +0000 http://www.njnnetwork.com/njn/?p=26844#comment-9461 Many of your examples of patronizing gestures are indeed rude but I swear if someone told me I was being patronizing after holding the door open for them, I'd tell them to fuck right off - disabled or not. The pat on the head is an obvious insult, however, and is frankly atrocious. I suspect it's got nothing to do with your disability and everything to do with a personal dislike for you. Where the disability factor comes into play is that she gets away with it easier (or thinks she does) because you're in a chair..I'd be pretty riled if someone patted me on the head, that's considered downright insulting to anyone. Many of your examples of patronizing gestures are indeed rude but I swear if someone told me I was being patronizing after holding the door open for them, I’d tell them to fuck right off – disabled or not.

The pat on the head is an obvious insult, however, and is frankly atrocious. I suspect it’s got nothing to do with your disability and everything to do with a personal dislike for you. Where the disability factor comes into play is that she gets away with it easier (or thinks she does) because you’re in a chair..I’d be pretty riled if someone patted me on the head, that’s considered downright insulting to anyone.

]]> By: JMcLean http://njnnetwork.com/2009/11/please-dont-patronize-people-with-disabilities/#comment-9444 JMcLean Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:28:30 +0000 http://www.njnnetwork.com/njn/?p=26844#comment-9444 I recognize patronizing behaviour much of the time. Other times it's because the other person is a dipshit and treats everyone in a patronizing way, not just the gimpy. Please note I didn't say you were bitter because you advocate. I was trying to say people who throw hissy fits over something like others kindness look like theyre bitter. The guy trying to help won't "get it" all of a sudden. Hell just think youre a bitter person. There is a way to educate people everyday by the way we interact with them. Just an idea. I recognize patronizing behaviour much of the time. Other times it’s because the other person is a dipshit and treats everyone in a patronizing way, not just the gimpy.
Please note I didn’t say you were bitter because you advocate. I was trying to say people who throw hissy fits over something like others kindness look like theyre bitter. The guy trying to help won’t “get it” all of a sudden. Hell just think youre a bitter person. There is a way to educate people everyday by the way we interact with them. Just an idea.

]]> By: John McLean http://njnnetwork.com/2009/11/please-dont-patronize-people-with-disabilities/#comment-9440 John McLean Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:39:18 +0000 http://www.njnnetwork.com/njn/?p=26844#comment-9440 Did she pat all disabled people or just you. Her pat may be a reaction to you as a person instead of you as a disabled person. And someone treating you differently on different days could be as simple as having a bad day. But if you want to automatically assume the worst about others maybe you shouldn't be surprised when others assume the worst about you. And it may be appropriate to point out that every person who isn't disabled may not know the location of every automatic door in town. Fine if you want to feel it demeans you as a man to be treated with consideration but you end up looking like you're bitter instead of independant. Just one gimp's opinion Did she pat all disabled people or just you.
Her pat may be a reaction to you as a person instead of you as a disabled person.
And someone treating you differently on different days could be as simple as having a bad day.
But if you want to automatically assume the worst about others maybe you shouldn’t be surprised when others assume the worst about you.
And it may be appropriate to point out that every person who isn’t disabled may not know the location of every automatic door in town. Fine if you want to feel it demeans you as a man to be treated with consideration but you end up looking like you’re bitter instead of independant.
Just one gimp’s opinion

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