hopefuly this is the correct place for this thread... I just ran into an interersting article, with guidelines on how to push a wheelchair (well on how others should push a WC):
Ask. Better yet, wait until I ask. Don't just come up behind me and start pushing. Understand that you are about to touch a part of my body; imagine someone is pushing you from the middle of your back. Know that pushing doesn't mean you are in control. You may be pushing, but we are going where I want to go, in a manner that I want to go, at the pace I want to go.
Then it goes to moving: looking on the road, no checking the hotties on the street, hehe, and my favourite: NEVER, EVER let go without telling me first AND without hearing back from me about whether it's OK.
It continues with obstacles, stopping and social stuff, like: Don't speak for me. EVER.
I have had my car damaged by "helpful" strangers. I have also been dumped out of my manual wheelchair twice by family members that weren't listening to me. I absolutely HATE (yes hate is a strong word) when strangers talk to the person that is with me, especially if it involves paying for something. If I am paying for a product or service you better make eye contact with me and talk to me!
Europedude, great article! I like when people offer to push, but explain that it is not as easy as it looks and I will need to direct them. This article clearly expresses what points to share.
Great article! It covers almost everything! I've been pushed by strangers, dropped, knocked out of my wheelchair, tipped out, thrown out (spasm's fault), and had to fight with multiple people to LET GO of my wheelchair while I was loading into my truck.
The first time I met my neurosurgeon, he talked only to my mother and I cleared my throat and got really mad because my mom just went along with it. I told him, "this is MY body we are talking about, so talk to ME about it, please."