Life sitting down... or being wheeled around?

--Another post from the past.

So I was injured about 5 months ago. The injury was to my left ankle which swelled up to about the size of a softball. It was a painful experience. That's not really what I'd like to talk about. Instead, I'd like to give a perspective as someone who's been in a wheelchair.

I went to Europe with my Dad in a wheelchair. Crazy? Yes. I learned a lot about the way people treat handicapped people. The trip was great but it gave me a whole new perspective.

First off when your in a wheelchair people often do one of three things: 1) your ignored as people look past you or 2) people feel compassion for you and help 3) people get mad and frustrated for the inconvenience you are to them.

I guess next I should give a little background... I've been seriously injured in my life. So this was a first... It happened playing ultimate frisby and a guy fell on me. I was unable to put any weight on my left leg for almost a month. The trip in Europe - I was in Spain for a few days. Only used the metro in Madrid as we had missionary friends in Barcelona. The rest of the time we, thankfully, were on a cruise of the Mediterranean Sea.

Europe isn't exactly handicap friendly. In Spain where we did most of the travel on foot (or in my case on 2 wheels ;-) people were very nice. I got numerous offers in the subway to assist me. It's strange the subway there has lots of steps. I've heard that Europeans weren't very nice to foreigners... I guess being handicapped made me more human than if I had just been a lost tourist.

Whatever the case I appreciated not being ignored. One time a man who must have been 70 years old asked if he could assist me. I almost laughed at him but was very appreciative of his concern. I would generally thank people and hop up myself. What I saw one time was a person in a wheelchair actually being carried by some Spaniards up and down stairs. There were 3 people carrying a guy in a wheelchair. Was an interesting site. You see I would get up from the chair and use my good leg to hop up the stairs. Dad would carry the wheelchair. But got to see the palace in Madrid and the museum as well.

Now back to my observation. The first observation was people would generally react by ignoring me. I guess I felt somewhat hurt by that. Many would not make eye contact... It was as if I wasn't there. That was very different. Especially when there's 10 people crowded in a little elevator. It's really sad not to be able to do basic things such as get up to get a glass of water or grab a plate in a buffet line.

The next observation are those who feel compassion and help. Now a majority of times at least on the cruise it was those payed to help who had compassion. I don't know what it is about money but the guests like I said for the most part ignored me. This as I wheeled myself around or my father pushed the wheelchair. On land people were sensitive somewhat to my situation. A couple gave up their seats on a bus at the front so I could extent my leg. It was a nice gesture.

The last observation was the group who actually got upset at me for being in a wheelchair. A British couple actually said something like "I can't believe they allow people in wheelchairs on this ship." Wow. An American lady turned to her daughter while passing me and said loudly "That really sucks!" while pointing at me. You see Dad and I were talking in Portuguese so I guess she assumed I couldn't understand her... I almost turned to her and said "No I really enjoy not being able to walk." or something.

-----x--------x-----

So what is the point of this experience? Well I for one am determined not to ignore those who are handicapped. I guess I tried to be nice before but it wasn't a consistent thing. Next time you see a handicap person smile at them. Acknowledge them. A simple hello will brighten their day!

What is the deeper meaning in all this? What is the truth that is desperately reaching out to us? Christ told us to love the unlovable. My question to you when you deal with people is do you ignore them if they're not in the "in crowd."? Do you look the other way when you a see a need you could easily fulfill? Do you get mad at people for their circumstances? Or do you show compassion? When Christ died he suffered unimaginable pain. His death made the possibility of completion in our lives.

Are you compassionate? Am I compassionate? Do I pray for those who are hurting? Do I love those who are hateful? Do I pray for those who do me wrong? Life is one big test. Are you satisfied with barely passing by? Are you passing through? Or are you passionate about people? Are you passionate about loving God?