# To Follow a Trend.... Ask the Chick in the Wheelchair!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [December 20, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077 "2002-12-20T18:55:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/41 "2002-12-21T16:46:42Z")

</div>

**Cosmo** , is it uncomfortable for you to be pushed over uneven or bumpy sidewalks? Is it less so after several drinks? 😉

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/42 "2002-12-21T18:41:03Z")

</div>

Originally posted by **TheLoadedDog** :

> [@](#):
>
> We’ve got a guy at work in a chair, and I’ve found that he can out-manouevre able-bodied people in certain circumstances (ie. cornering). He can turn that chair on a dime at fairly high speed… . Do you find you have to either slow down, or otherwise compensate for pedestrians in crowd situations?

Oh, do I! I’ve been going into NYC from Long Island by train on a probably bi-monthly basis for seven years now. Penn Station is not a place to go if you’re an uninitiated wheechair user. I can, however, dodge morons who’re paying no attention to where they’re walking, stop on a dime, and weave like there’s no tomorrow. If I’m on a crowded sidewalk, I can usually eyeball a space between people and figure out whether it’s wide enough for me to speed through.

> [@](#):
>
> . Do you consider your wheelchair to be merely a bland appliance, or is there a “chair culture” in which people show off, customise, etc, much like cars or bicycles?

Ahhh. Excellent question! Yes, wheelchairs can be and are customized. The chrome can be painted about a bazillion different colors (mine’s dark green), while most upholstery I’ve seen is black. You can get short backs, higher backs, wheelchairs designed for racing, etc. etc.

[http://www.quickie-wheelchairs.com/](http://www.quickie-wheelchairs.com/) \<---- Quickie’s website. Just to give you an idea of the variety. And yes, **Q.N. Jones** , they have pediatric wheelchairs.

To branch off from that topic: If you ever happen to hang out with a wheelchair user, do NOT lean on the razzlin’ frazzlin’ handlebars! Able-bodied people don’t realize, I think, that to many wheelchair users, the wheelchair is an extension of themselves, not just a chair they sit in. IMHO, leaning on someone’s handlebar while talking to them is akin to leaning on the shoulder of an able-bodied person (i.e. less than polite). So now you know. 🙂

Originally posted by **Tiburon** :

> [@](#):
>
> My understanding of it is that there’s nothing disabled about individuals - instead, they are disabled by the fact that accessibility is limited or opportunities are limited.

I can see what you mean, but here’s my POV:

I’m disabled primarily due to the fact that my legs don’t really work, and most people’s do. I have a birth _defect_. It’s not, IMHO, like race or maybe even gender: An able bodied black man and an able-bodied white woman can both walk with equal ability. I can’t and might never be able to. In other words, even if it were a perfect world (everything was accessible, I could take any job I wished), most people would still have the fundamental _ability_ to walk, whereas I would not. Hence, I’d still be disabled.

> [@](#):
>
> question: I feel like I missed something with the bathroom question. If you can’t control bowel or bladder function but can tell when you need to go, do you then go to a toilet and wait for things to happen?

Okay, lemme see if I can explain better…

My bladder works like this; the neck of the bladder opens and closes when it feels like it. If I have to pee, I can’t hold it in - I don’t have the muscular ability. Hence, I gotta use a catheter (hollow, vinyl - I think, tubes.). One end of the catheter is inserted so that the neck of the bladder is held open - hence, the urine can drain freely, without the neck of the bladder randomly contracting.

The other bodily function is easier to deal with - I can push, and things…happen. _chuckle_ Never thought I’d be discussing my bowel movements with this many people. 🙂

> [@](#):
>
> Cosmo, is it uncomfortable for you to be pushed over uneven or bumpy sidewalks? Is it less so after several drinks?

Oh, **Billdo** , you’re so effing funny, **Billdo**! 😉

Ya see, folks, **Billdo** is referring to Thursday night, when we, along with several other Dopers, went out to a few bars check out possibilities for the upcoming NYC Dopefest. We walked to these several possibilities, then down to hail me a cab back to Penn Station.

Well, I hadn’t eaten much that day and I had about three heavily vodka-dominated drinks in maybe 2 hours, so I got pretty well plastered and probably made somewhat of a giggly ass of myself in the process. Thanks, Bill! 😉 (just kidding, of course. You can get me plastered _anytime_!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/43 "2002-12-21T18:43:40Z")

</div>

That should, of course, read “TO check out possibilities”. And no, I’m not still drunk - no hangover, even! 😃

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/44 "2002-12-21T19:44:20Z")

</div>

Thanks for the info about catheters and such. I know we sell a ton of incontinence products, but I’ve never been sure exactly what people do with them. (Well, I had a general idea, but…) Diapers, leg bags, catheters, mattress pads, gloves, sterile swabs, lubricants - it seems to be quite the science.

I’m a little curious about how things are paid for in the States. Are you covered by any government programs, or do you need to be covered by private insurance, or, heaven forbid, pay for everything yourself? Here in Alberta, these things are all covered by Alberta Healthcare, which of course means that they set all the rules for everything (how many catheters you’re allowed in a given period, what kind of chair you get, etc.).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/45 "2002-12-21T20:13:29Z")

</div>

I have Medicaid (pays for my hygiene needs and, I think, my wheelchair). I’m also a full-time college student, so I’m covered under my father’s insurance for doctor visits, blood tests (I have a seizure disorder that might be related to the VP shunt I have), etc.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2002, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/46 "2002-12-21T22:20:10Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Q.N. Jones \*  
> \*\*I have to admit to being curious about what small children do. Do they have wheelchairs that fit their size? At what age do kids get their first wheelchair? Or do their parents just carry them everywhere? (I’ve wondered because I’ve never once noticed a paraplegic child in public.) \*\*

This is a wonderful thread! 🙂

I just had to jump in with a comment about the above question. My son is 2 1/2 and was just recently fitted for a wheelchair. He has mild Cerebral Palsy and is not walking yet but his therapists expect him to soon. He will have the wheelchair just in case he needs it when he gets tired from walking long distances.  
So, based on my son’s experience, I’m guessing that children are fitted for wheelchairs as soon as possible around the time they would normally learn to walk.

Cosmopolitan, I also have a question for you. What’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked in public about being in a wheelchair?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/47 "2002-12-22T00:16:35Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by featherlou \*  
> I’m a little curious about how things are paid for in the States. Are you covered by any government programs, or do you need to be covered by private insurance, or, heaven forbid, pay for everything yourself? Here in Alberta, these things are all covered by Alberta Healthcare, which of course means that they set all the rules for everything (how many catheters you’re allowed in a given period, what kind of chair you get, etc.).

> [@](#):
>
> _Originally posted by Cosmopolitan_  
> I have Medicaid (pays for my hygiene needs and, I think, my wheelchair). I’m also a full-time college student, so I’m covered under my father’s insurance for doctor visits, blood tests

My husband, who is a self-employed business owner and fellow person-with-spina-bifida does NOT have his “bathroom supplies” covered by insurance (this, despite the fact I work for an internationally known health insurance company and we have excellent coverage). We pay for it entirely out of pocket. This is what happens when you make to much money to qualify as “disabled” for the government and lose access to Medicaid and/or Medicare.

(For those who don’t know - Medic **aid** is a state-funded program, Medi **care** is the Federal program. For those outside the country who don’t know, those of us in the United States live under multiple levels of government. Very confusing, even to us natives sometimes.)

Fortunately, we really can afford to pay for this. And the bright spot (yes, there is a small one) is that he can buy as many or as few items as he wants, and be choosey about what he gets.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/48 "2002-12-22T00:22:42Z")

</div>

Oh, and about women in wheelchairs having children… I found out some interesting stuff along the way when my husband and I first married and I was doing some research on his disability.

While the reason a woman is using a wheelchair might impact whether or not bearing children is a good idea, it seems (from what I read 10+ years ago) that women with spina bifida _usually_ don’t have problems with childbearing - at least from a physical standpoint. Social pressures are a different matter. (And boy do my husband and I have a few stories about _that_ :rolleyes: ) There is the interesting factoid that some of these women are not aware of when labor starts - it all depends on the level of the spinal defect.

Of course, other complicating problems may make childbirth a higher risk - spina bifida can be accompanied by other problems. A lot depends on the women herself. But there is also a very strong sentiment among some doctors to discourage ANYONE with a perceived “defect” from reproducing at all - whether there’s a real physical risk to the person or not.

(And don’t get me started on THAT…)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Chris\_Luongo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Chris\_Luongo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chris_Luongo)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/49 "2002-12-22T02:55:03Z")

</div>

Cosmopolitan: You mentioned a taxi ride in your story about your night out with Billdo. I drove a cab in a suburb of Boston (Melrose) for a few months, although I never encountered a chair-bound customer.

Do you need a van with a chairlift, or will a sedan like a Caprice or Crown Vic work? If a sedan, does your wheelchair fold to go in the trunk? If so, can strangers (like cab drivers) fold/unfold it without special instructions?

Do you think some taxis refuse to stop for you because they think helping you into/out of the car will take an inordinate amount of time? Does it actually take much extra time? If so, do you tip extra for it?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![NotWithoutRage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/22d042/32.png) [@NotWithoutRage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotWithoutRage)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/50 "2002-12-22T05:09:17Z")

</div>

This is a fascinating thread.

I have a question, though it’s a little different.

What do you think of the Wheelchair Barbie (or Becky, as her name was) that Mattel came out with a few years ago? If you were younger, would you have wanted one?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2002, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/51 "2002-12-22T05:15:30Z")

</div>

Originally posted by **Greywolf73** :

> [@](#):
>
> This is a wonderful thread! 🙂 …I also have a question for you. What’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked in public about being in a wheelchair?

Well, thanks! As for the strangest question… Hm. Well, I’ve been asked the following more than once (at random, from complete strangers, with barely an intro, if any):

“So, what’s wrong with you?”.

Taxi drivers have asked me this, friends of friends have asked me this, strangers in the mall have asked me this. If I’m not irritated by the question (I’ll admit, it depends on my mood), I’ll go into some detail. If I’m annoyed, I’ll leave it at a polite but brief, “My legs don’t work properly”.

Originally posted by **Broomstick** :

> [@](#):
>
> My husband, who is a self-employed business owner and fellow person-with-spina-bifida does NOT have his “bathroom supplies” covered by insurance… We pay for it entirely out of pocket. This is what happens when you make to much money to qualify as “disabled” for the government and lose access to Medicaid and/or Medicare.

Yes, well… I’m a student without a job, so even though I live at home, my bank account has less in it than the limit I would have to exceed in order to stop receiving Medicaid.

Originally posted by **Chris Luongo** :

> [@](#):
>
> Do you need a van with a chairlift, or will a sedan like a Caprice or Crown Vic work? If a sedan, does your wheelchair fold to go in the trunk? If so, can strangers (like cab drivers) fold/unfold it without special instructions?

I can transfer from my chair to a cab seat without trouble, provided that I don’t have to take more than a step or two before pivoting my ass onto the seat, so a sedan works. The chair can fold up and fit in the trunk, provided the trunk’s not full of stuff. And yeah, most cab drivers don’t know how to fold it, but it’s simple - the seat is flexible once I remove the cushion: All someone has to do is pull the seat up towards them and the chair folds.

> [@](#):
>
> Do you think some taxis refuse to stop for you because they think helping you into/out of the car will take an inordinate amount of time? Does it actually take much extra time? If so, do you tip extra for it?

Yeah, I think that’s the case, sometimes. I would say that it takes five minutes at the most to get the chair either into or out of the trunk, but that’s stretching it. And yes, I tip a bit extra.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/52 "2002-12-23T06:52:43Z")

</div>

Just as a side note, there is a cab in Calgary that is wheelchair accessible (drive the chair up the lift in the minivan, anchor the chair, and you’re on your way). They’re going to see how it goes, and possibly invest in a fleet of wheelchair accessible minivan cabs.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/53 "2002-12-23T09:28:31Z")

</div>

**Cosmo** , this started out in my head as “Why don’t you just lift weights?”

I hit myself repeatedly in the head for you, so there’s no need;)

Do you have any information on the success (or lack thereof) of people who try to “beat” Spina Bifida by some sort of workout regime? Or is that generally regarded as being not the most effective method of treatment? Websites I just visited (to see if I could get a better physiological understanding of the limitations Spina Bifida places upon the/a human body didn’t offer much that translated to me either as saying “weightlifting is not an option” or “weightlifting wouldn’t do much because [reason(s)]”.

Thanks:)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![\_shaolin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/9de053/32.png) [@\_shaolin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_shaolin)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/54 "2002-12-23T13:23:52Z")

</div>

Does the fact that you use a wheelchair affect which intoxicating substances you might choose to consume, or the quantity consumed?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/55 "2002-12-24T16:35:01Z")

</div>

Originally posted by **iampunha** :

> [@](#):
>
> Do you have any information on the success (or lack thereof) of people who try to “beat” Spina Bifida by some sort of workout regime? Or is that generally regarded as being not the most effective method of treatment?..

Well, the thing about Spina Bifida is that it’s what’s called a _neural tube defect_. A lot of the problem lies in the neurology, rather than in the musculature. In other words, finding a cure is, I’m pretty sure, mostly about trying to find ways to generate nerve cells where there are none, or repair damaged nerves.

The workout plan comes in here: You want to build up as much strength as you can, keep your body in good shape; you have to haul your ass around using the power of your arms all day - that can be tiring. You do it for health reasons, obviously, and preparing for an orthopedic surgery you might have by building your strength and stamina is a good idea, IMO.

The leg work comes in here: Even if you’re pushing a manual wheelchair, you’re not walking, so you’re not exercising your lower extremities. You’d probably rather they didn’t atrophy, so you work them.

I got physical therapy once a week for an hour all through my compulsory education (the school district paid), and it helped me to maintain my fitness level more than it would’ve been otherwise.

…And you’re welcome. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/56 "2002-12-24T16:39:39Z")

</div>

Originally posted by **_shaolin_** :

> [@](#):
>
> Does the fact that you use a wheelchair affect which intoxicating substances you might choose to consume, or the quantity consumed?

Lemme see if I understand the question. Are you asking me whether my tolerance for alcohol is affected by my disability and, depending on that answer, do I tailor my drink preferences to my tolerance level?

Or are you just screwing with me? 😛

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Zazie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Zazie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zazie)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2002, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/57 "2002-12-24T19:27:22Z")

</div>

Great thread, most of my questions were already answered!  
Keep up the great work and attitude.  
My friend’s sister has SB but she has no control of her bowels at all if I remember correctly.

Highjack/  
We live in the same town Chris Luongo!!  
Highjack/

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/58 "2003-05-18T20:22:23Z")

</div>

1st, sorry for resurrecting the thread! 😉 But cosmo, how independent are you in your ADL’s (Activities of Daily Life)? What’s a avg. day for you (school/lounging)?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/59 "2003-05-18T22:16:08Z")

</div>

Great bit of fighting ignorance, Cosmo. Thanks.

This is more TMI, feel free to ignore it but - if you use a catheter do you get on the toliet, or just wheel up to it?

If you’re chatting to someone is there a polite way to ask about the wheelchair? Obviously when someone has anything distinctive about them it becomes a conversation opener, and they learn a two sentance explanation to move the conversation onto/off it, but most people have a choice and you don’t. But I know I’d be Austin Powers talking to No. 3 in Goldmember - “uh, uh”/“Just say it! Get it out of your system!”/“DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A GIGANTIC MOLE?”/“Yes. Yes I do. And I am aware of the irony of my being a mole in Dr Evil’s organisation.”/“Thank you”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077/60 "2003-05-18T22:17:36Z")

</div>

:smack: I hadn’t noticed this thread is a resurectee. Sorry, never mind.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077.md?page=2)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-follow-a-trend-ask-the-chick-in-the-wheelchair/144077.md?page=4)