For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for November 07, 2020

how else?

I believe that the unspoken emphasis here is that he Sat to talk to her rather than stood, since quite obviously she would not be standing during the conversation.

Back in the ‘80’s, before too many cities and towns got serious about accommodations for folks in wheelchairs I worked with a gal who used one. It was absolutely mind blowing to realize, just going out to lunch downtown, how many obstacles there were (and some places still are) …. no curb cuts, badly designed entrances, stairs everywhere and sometimes the only access to a restaurant was around the back at the loading dock. Such a pleasant experience to enter a restaurant alongside the dumpsters, not! And then to have people address her companions about her as if she was not capable of ordering ….. argh! Things are changing ever so slowly for which I am grateful now for myself as well the older I get, but there is still a long ways to go.

“Lieutenant Dan, you got new legs!”

The other “special” thing about the young man is that he must of recognized immediately how special Miss Edwards is.

Lynn’s Comments:

This comment was from an encounter I had with one of the people I met at “Wheelchair Rugby.” I learned that it’s rude for an able-bodied person to lean or sit on a wheelchair while talking to the occupant because the chair is effectively part of the user’s body. I also learned that sitting down to talk to someone who is in a chair is a sign of respect and consideration. These are things I should have known instinctively, but did not. This was a wonderful education!

That was very respectful.

Miss Edwards keep her promise when she told the girls to ask her questions, and she would answer them.

Sounds like a potential keeper.

It is simple common courtesy to do what her boyfriend did. He did not want her to feel uncomfortable and did what everyone should. He made her feel that someone cared about her..and he did.

Best way to meet someone is to start with “Hi.”

That is special.

He must wheely like her.

As a wheelchair user myself, I have asked people to imagine that everyone is two feet taller than they are. Imagine how your neck feels after looking up at someone for even five minutes. And please, don’t just assume that you know what I need. Ask me instead.

I work at a public high school and the kids are great. They will jump up and run to hold doors for me. And many of them are learning how to hold doors for someone in a wheelchair. Never, ever try to hold open a door unless you are on the outside of it and can get your feet out of the way of my wheels. You cannot possibly stand inside of a door and push it open with one hand while keeping your feet out of the way of my wheels. I have one inch or less of clearance on each side of my chair on many of the doors I have to use. This means that I have to be able to maneuver either straight through or I have to try to go around your feet and through the narrow door at an angle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfWQ83m_avk

Fifth panel: “He sat down to talk me and you better sit down too this weekend, to goover your science textbook. Your test stunk!”

Aware of himself and others… special in deed.

Sounds like an outstanding man.

Was in a wheelchair temporarily going across country and on both coasts – don’t ever go to Hollywood Florida in a wheelchair, you become invisible.

Hes an upsitting citizen

How many years has it been since this strip first ran?

I’m not in a wheelchair (yet), but I do use a walker to get around. I am amazed every day at how courteous and helpful people are. People will practically run to get to a door to open it for me. When standing at a crosswalk, people often ask if they can help me cross the street. They will sometimes let me go ahead of them in line. Cars which have stopped a little into the crosswalk will back up out of the way. The bus-people or waitresses at restaurants will put my walker out of the way. (It folds up nicely, but it’s a little heavy for me to lift). The list goes on of kind things people do. I’m capable of doing all these things myself, but it really is nice to have someone help me save a little energy or feel a little safer, and it’s nice to exchange a bit of conversation with them when I thank them!