Happy International Wheelchair Day!
Today we celebrate our wheelchairs. Some may ask -Why would I Celebrate my wheelchair ?
I Celebrate my wheelchair because:
It gives me back some independence,
It allows me to move freely within my home and when I go out into the community,
It gives me the ability to still do normal day-to-day activities that otherwise I would not be able to complete.
It gives me the freedom to attend social activities.
It increases my health, as opposed to sitting dormant and having others do everything for me.
It has provided a unique view of the world.
It has also changed my entire outlook on life.
It has reminded me how precious life is and some of the things we take for granite.
It has above all others taught me about the type of person that I want to be and increased my care and compassion for others.
It has whole heartedly changed my entire personality.
It allows me the opportunity to share my story.
It has given me a voice to advocate for change within my community and throughout the world with others.
It has given me a unique opportunity to educate others.
It has given me the freedom to be as independent as I can be.
Please do not look at a person in a wheelchair and pity them, look at a wheelchair user and admire their courage to push through another day. We are strong, we are human, we are able and we are grateful for the wheelchairs that allow us to navigate our day-to-day lives.
I appreciate Stephan Farfler, the brave individual that created the first self -propelled wheelchair in 1665. Wheelchairs date back to 1595. However, the wheelchair that I appreciate so much is the self-propelled, manual wheelchair that gives me independence to go wherever and whenever I would like to go.
I am grateful for the technology and devices that are available to me and others like me. I am hopeful that through advocacy and raising a voice for change in the world that others will have access to assistive technology and devices that they need.
Happy International Wheelchair Day-to my wheelchairs, Thank You for being my Freedom and Independence Ride!
Happy International Wheelchair Day to all the wonderful wheeling men, women and children in the world! Today we Ride with confidence!
Attached please find the article from the United Spinal Association, The History of Wheelchairs-The Evolution that I read and sited Stephen Farfler’s information from. I find the article fascinating and maybe you will too.