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- #21
It is interesting meeting people with disabilities, you never know what to expect when it comes to holding a door open or something similar.This thread reminds me of something that happened to me and a work associate, years ago.
We were working in engineering at a rather large defense contractor, and had a meeting to attend. On the way to the conference room, we stopped at the men's room.
While exiting to the hallway, my buddy saw a guy approaching, and held the door for him. We had seen this guy before and didn't know him, but he had a disability that required him to use crutches.
Now, my co-worker was just being kind, but the disabled man was having none of it, and responded with:
"Are you going to hold my d*ck for me too?"
We were floored.
I get that this man felt that he didn't want to be treated any differently because of his disability, and that he was capable of opening the door, but my co-worker was doing exactly what he would have done for any able-bodied person, and merely showing courtesy.
Yikes.
Sadly, we learned to never show this person any sort of treatment that might be construed as special, which actually meant we treated him differently from everyone else, and feared showing him any kindness.
We have a friend who's husband is disabled, born with no legs and about ten years behind mentally.
Great guy! Goes to work everyday and is very active! He expects no help from anyone but when you do help he is grateful. Just do not touch his wheel chair! That's his baby!