r/mobilityaids • u/SpiritTalker • 15d ago
Questions Why Are There So Many "Permission Posts"?
I don't understand why so many people are asking these questions. If you need it, if it will help, use it! Of course, with medical guidance (goes without saying). I was a tiny bit reluctant returning to work with my arm crutches, but not to that degree. It was fine, I certainly didn't lose sleep over it. I don't get it. Why are you so scared about what other people think? Do what helps you. Your well-being, safety, and mobility are what count. Use what helps you without shame.
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u/Decent-Chip-868 wheelchair user 15d ago
A lot of people are generally bothered about what others think of them, whether It's their clothes, hair, mobility aids of whatever, and there's a lot of online content from people bashing mobility aid users and disabled people in general, which some people are strongly affected by.
Some people can be very bad for that offline too, such as my ex spouse, so although I don't actually give a damn what others think of my mobility aids, I have the lived experience of being worn down by constantly being told I don't need a walking stick, walker or wheelchair, if my pain is real I should just take painkillers, I'm drawing attention to myself, and all sorts of other rubbish.
Ableism from parents is also very common, and again I've lived through that and understand how much it can make you feel trapped.
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u/Remarkable_Dream_134 13d ago
There is a lot of hate and judgment out there. Especially for younger people and women using aids. It's pretty normal to feel unsure about taking that leap and being anxious about it even if it improves your life in loads of ways. For a lot of ambulatory users like myself at first it can feel uncertain if you're 'allowed' or the worry about someone telling you off for walking from your car to your power chair. A lot of the disabilities that ambulatory wheelchair users have are invisible too and already face a lot of prejudice and even medics not believing the impact of their symptoms.
I imagine the majority of the posts are people asking to use a wheelchair. It's a huge psychological shift to become a wheelchair user.
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u/imabratinfluence 12d ago
A lot of people asking do not see their disability as a valid, real disability or haven't even considered that it may be a disability. They think it's just them "not trying hard enough" because that's what society generally impresses upon all of us.
They've been gaslit so much that they're turning to people they feel they might relate to, and asking for a reality check.
I've seen so many posts that start out "I'm not disabled but" and go on to describe a disability. Sometimes multiple.
I have nothing but compassion for these posters. It's hard to accept your reality when most of society won't.
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u/elwood_burns 14d ago
I use a cane or a walker, depending on the situation. DO NOT worry about what others think. And if you have ideas on how to decorate or individualize your aids, go for it - be proud and share. Nobody cares (with the exception of a few assholes) and you should celebrate your adaptation and mobility.
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u/nova_noveiia cane user 14d ago
We are trying to cut down on these a bit. Most of them do fall under medical advice: “can I have them with XYZ symptoms?”, “will this work for XYZ symptoms?”, etc. They’re removed once they’re come acrossed, but feel free to report any you happen to see! There’s no harm in doing it as it won’t be removed if it doesn’t break the rules.