Myth 1: People who use wheelchairs can’t walk.
Imagine you are in the grocery store and you see someone who uses a wheelchair shopping beside you. They are going through the aisle, placing items in a basket on their lap when they approach a brand of cereal they need on the top shelf of the aisle. They place the basket on the ground and stand momentarily to reach the item on the top shelf. You gasp! How could this be!? They use a wheelchair, but they are standing! One common myth is that people who use wheelchairs are not able to walk. Although this may be the case for some people, it is not the case for all. Some people who use wheelchairs can stand or walk to some extent, but using a wheelchair can be a better option. People with mobility impairments might have the option of using crutches, leg braces, or walkers, but using a wheelchair might better suit their needs. For example, crutches may be a viable option for some people on flat surfaces, but may not work so well when trying to climb up and down stairs. For others, walking may be an option, but it does not come without a cost. Although walking for short periods of time may be feasible, it may be painful and tiring. For many people, wheelchairs can provide a fast, pain-free way of getting around. They are also incredibly useful while grocery shopping, because people can carry a basket on their lap. So, if someone stands up from their wheelchair to reach a box of cereal, it doesn’t mean they are faking their disability, it just means they use a wheelchair as a mobility aid. Myth 2: People who use wheel chairs do not live normal lives Another myth is that people who use wheelchairs are not able to live normal lives; however, this is not the case. People who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids can attend college, have fulfilling careers, and yes, they can have children. Many people who use wheel chairs go to work and pay taxes just like any other American citizen, and it does not stop there. They cook, clean, have pets, take care of others and live full lives.
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