Motorized Wheel Chair Source

Some people with disabilities also get frustrated if everyone assumes they cannot do things on their own. They are able to do a lot of things on their own, even if they have to struggle a bit to do it, do it slower than others or use different methods. Most people want to be independent and that means that they have to practice doing things on their own rather than have others help with everything.

Can you imagine how annoying it would be if everyone treated you like you were incapable of doing even simple things and wouldn’t let you do them on your own when you know that you can do it? It can feel very patronizing and it can also result in the person not being able to do those things on their own when they need to, when nobody else is around to help, because people have never given them a chance to practice doing it on their own before.

People often have good intentions, but sometimes they are not really doing the person any favors with their “help”.

Don’t tell people what they cannot do on their own. They usually know their own abilities better than you do and you would be rude and patronizing if you said they couldn’t do it themselves. Imagine if a random stranger claimed to know better than you what your abilities are.

When you see a person with disabilities struggle with something, it is better to ask them if they would like some help, and then let them decide whether they accept your help or prefer to try it on their own. Don’t assume they can’t do it and don’t help without asking first. It is best to give the person the choice.

And of course people with disabilities have their good and bad days like everyone else and sometimes they can be in a bad mood after a rough day, just like other people, so they may not always respond the way you expect them to. Just keep in mind that each individual is different, so if you bump into one rude person with disabilities, don’t think that all other people with disabilities will be the same or let it discourage you from offering help to someone else.