The Rambling Teapot

I've been in a wheelchair for years now, right? Well, as happens sometimes, I got a new bus driver this morning. They were struggling and nervous about lining up the ramp, which is perfectly normal. I can be patient about that and offer some calm reassurance.

What is normalized and not okay is the asshole outside insisting that the ramp placement is wrong and said driver listening to him after I've said it's fine. Said asshole continued nitpicking for another 10 minutes, then insisted they'd have to help me off.

Important to note:

1. I'm in a motorized chair and didn't need help getting on

2. I fucking said multiple times that I did not need, nor want him to touch me

I still kept getting talked over until I put my foot down about getting off the damn bus, and guess what? Everything was fine, just like I said.

Pros: legs to the rescue.

Cons: I’d forgotten handles make people forget every word and scrap of manners they’ve ever learned.

Do not touch a wheelchair without asking—EVER.

The only reason I have very few injuries from people “helping” is bc I literally have boots on the ground. That didn’t stop someone from spraining my ankle just now, but honestly? Best case scenario.

This latest incident is brought to you by a woman pushing my chair when my left caster got stuck in the elevator. While I appreciate the intent, I need folks to consider the following:

If someone’s pants were caught on a thorn bush, would you touch them without asking?

NO.

Same principle applies to wheelchairs (and all mobility aides).

In order to free my caster, all I had to do was pop a wheelie, then push forward. This woman pushing me unexpectedly fucked that up. Let me translate this into abled:

She silently grabbed my belt and jerked me into the thorn bush.

This nearly broke my fingers, but if my legs didn’t work at all? I would’ve been thrown from my wheelchair, headfirst, into our very small elevators. Even if I’d tried to catch myself, my wrists would’ve disassembled on impact.

Something important to note about wheelchair physics:

If we are tipped forward, or thrown from our chairs, our heads will probably hit whatever’s one torso away and at/just below chin height.

In my case, that would’ve meant my eye socket would hit those flat, metal handles most people never think of. Mind you, ours aren’t flush with the wall either.

Did I mention that my neck just naturally falls apart in slow motion? Cause yeah, it does that.

To top off this shit sundae, she dinged my already wobbly left brake. It’s well and truly shot now.

If anybody would like to chip in on what is now the brake repair/jewelry tools fund, that’d be fucking swell.

Note: I don’t want your fucking money if you have to do math. I do, however, want your reblogs regardless.

Think of all the wheelchair users in the world.

Think of your loved ones.

“yeah can i get a deluxe quarter pounder with cheese?”

“absolutely, do you want the meal or just the sandwich?’

“uuuuuh hold on”

*fishes something out of my pocket*

“mikey what do i do?”

“get the fries. youll need the energy in the coming days”

*stuffs it back in my pocket*

Guy that’s been living under a rock

Rock guy’s grandchild

Guy that’s been living under a rock pt 2 electric boogaloo

Angry mailman

Evil undead cowboy

Woman that’s been living under a rock pt 3 the return of the Jedi

I also happen to specialise in gambling addiction (although I'm not practicing in that area right now), and all I could fucking think about was how these fucking apps were conditioning me in the same fucking way gambling apps do. To be constantly plugged in, consuming. To not even think about just picking it up and having a look. To feel bored when I wasn't watching them, to think about watching them when I wasn't watching them....

That shit is fucking evil.

I deleted it. I'm not exposing myself to that.

That shit will fry your dopamine/reward system so fucking bad you will never read a book or watching a movie again without it.

Love yourself and your potential enough to put that fucking shit away. Watch longer form things that require focus and engagement. Listen to podcasts and audiobooks. Read books. DO ANYTHING BUT CONSUME SHORT FORM CONTENT IN AN UNSTRUCTURED WAY.

If you MUST consume it (I'm sure people will be like 'but my classmates' or 'but my own channel'.... etc), do it in a siloed and structured way. 30 minutes between x time and x time on x day. Focus on it. Don't eat and do it. Watch each short form video to completion. Engage critically with the content. ANd never watch them first thing in the morning or last thing at night.