Orthopedic Impairment simulation

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to not have the use of your legs and wheel around in a wheel chair all day, everyday? For most of us we do not have to experience this hardship but for some it is a real struggle. Some live with this their whole lives and suffer the affects socially, emotionally, and even physically.  For class we had to go through this simulation in a wheel chair for 2 and a half hours to see whats its like from their perspective and it really helped me see the unknown challenges that come from being in a wheel chair.
1. Socially things can be awkward. I don't really remember a time wheeling around that people didn't look at me funny probably wondering what it was that happened to me that made me have to rely on a wheel chair. I got an occasional smile that was genuine but for the most part i got lots of weird stares. This really made me feel small, made me think that I wasn't normal and that I was not capable like others who have the use of their legs. But in retrospective, there were 3 people that really reached out to me through pushing my wheelchair and opening doors for me that not only assisted me physically but socially was greatly overwhelming. I felt as if there were seeing me as a real person who was normal just like them. I went from feeling judged to feeling special and of worth when they did talk to me.
2. Physically things are not as easy to get around as perceived. One of the biggest challenges I faced was going to the bathroom. but not just the get from the toilet to the chair and vice verse, I had a very hard time just opening the door and getting into the bathroom itself. The door was way heavy and not accommodating to those who use a wheelchair. I felt super embarrassed because of this and no one helped me. This bathroom said it was wheelchair accessible but not for getting into the bathroom. Another thing that was difficult was wheeling down hill. I was going really fast and I didn't want to fall so I would use my hands to try and slow myself down; but the wheels were so hot from the friction that it was hard for me to grab a hold and it not hurt my hands. Uphill was also hard but i was lucky enough to have someone offer to help me up hill.
3. When asking for help or directions I was talked to almost as a young incapable child. I remember asking one girl for help and she talked to me with this high pitched voice as if I were an infant that could not understand English.
I have always had great respect for those who are wheel chair bound because one of my best friends growing up needed to use a wheel chair. His disability never affected our friendship and i never saw him differently because of it. But I feel now that I have more empathy for those who do suffer from orthopedic impairments from the experience. If anything, I learned that it can be very socially awkward and embarrassing but that we as educators can have a tremendous impact to help these students feel just as accepted and normal as we can. They are normal, we are all normal; we all come with something different that makes us unique.