Avatar

Just Your Average Blog😝

@emhambrgr

Emma•The Flash•Spider-Man🕸•Marvel• I love to write, but reading is my specialty!
Posts
Avatar
reblogged
Avatar
cicadangel

the victims' names of the lewiston shooting are starting to be released (1 & 2). they include a 14yo boy and his father and several members of lewiston's deaf community who were having a cornhole tournament that evening. if you are able to, please consider donating directly to victims and their families through gofundme or through the maine community foundation.

Avatar
reblogged
Avatar
winglssdemon

It's Disability Awareness Month or for some of us it is every day as usual. So here's some friendly tips that abled people need to learn but you probably never even thought about.

- The blue or yellow lines next to accessible parking spaces (i.e. "handicap" spots) are necessary for mobility aid users (crutches, canes, wheelchairs, etc.) to get out of their cars. Some have wheelchair vans where the ramp needs to go down and that uses up the whole space. Others need to makes use they can open their door all the way and have plenty of space to move their aids in the necessary directions or hold onto an open car door. Anyone who parks in those lines, leaves carts in those lines, or leaves electric mobility carts in those lines are being ableist. Yes, even if they are disabled too. Please leave those lines free so disabled people can exist in the world.

-Are you on a walk? Is there a wheelchair user coming your way and they don't seem to be moving out of the way and/or not staying on the right side of the pavement? If you can, please allow the wheelchair user to continue as they are. More than likely, a wheelchair user will be using the safest part of the pavement for them. Things like pot holes, dips, and even rocks, stones, or gravel can all cause a wheelchair user to "trip" which leads to either faceplanting out of the wheelchair or falling backwards out of a wheelchair. You may not see it, but I promise you the wheelchair user does.

-If you see someone fall out of their wheelchair do not immediately help them by pulling them up. Yes, I know you want to help and that is really decent of you. You just need to remember to ask first since many wheelchair users have chronic pain, and others have brittle bones or loose joints. Pulling someone up may increase the harm done to their body. If you are given the OK from the disabled person to help them, then make sure you listen and do exactly what they ask for. If they say no and don't want your help, please please listen to them and don't make a big deal out of it or force the issue.

-I know you want to hold doors open and yes, that is usually a totally okay thing to do! However, it is important that you hold open the door from the outside. When you hold the door open from the inside you end up blocking the doorway. Many disabled people especially those with mobility aids will take up more room than an able bodied person. It is also VERY important that of someone already has their hand on a door and is opening it that you DO NOT take the door from them. You can very easily harm someone by ripping the door out of their hands. Also, if a disabled person says they got the door and you grab it for them anyway, don't expect a thank you. Plenty of disabled people are exhausted at abled people thinking they can't do something, so when you do it anyway and make a big deal out of needing thanks, some of us are bound to get a wee bit cranky.

Don't treat your help as "your good deed for the day" and especially DONT say it. I know it's well meaning and helping people is literally confirmed to make yourself feel better. It ends up coming across as condescending and rude. Disabled people dont exist to make abled people feel better about themselves

-So you think a disabled person is an inspiration? I know you mean well and its meant as a compliment. What a lot of people dont realize is that calling someone an inpsiration for going about their day is actually really offensive. Think about how if you did something like go to the bathroom and you came out of the stall and someone said "you're so inspiring!" and all you did was take a shit? You'd be pretty disturbed.

-Speaking of bathrooms, please remember that disabled people *need* the accessible stall. The general rule is that if it's one of two stalls, and that's your only option, then sure go ahead. However if there are multiple open stalls and one accessible stall? Please leave the accessible one free (do not accost people who you think might not be disabled for using it, invisible disabilities are a thing). Don't use the accessible stall for changing, for your shopping cart, or for anything you're physically capable of leaving outside a regular stall. And if you need to use the stall especially if its like 1 of 2, then try to use it as quickly as possible.

- Being at the height of wheelchair users. Many diagrams that were made by abled folk say you should kneel down to a wheelchair user to talk to them. MANY wheelchair users find this supremely uncomfortable and condescending. A much better idea would be to bring up a chair or go somewhere where you can sit down with them if its a long conversation. If its a short conversation or there's nowhere for you to sit, ASK if they would like you to kneel down or if you should stay standing. Also, feel free to remind wheelchair users if you need to sit. Some of us (myself especially lol) forget that people with good working legs still get tired from standing too long.

-Always ask before helping a disabled person even if they are visibly struggling. Sometimes disabled people are still learning what they can and can't do and need to try on their own first. Some may look like they're struggling but it may just be the way their body works best. It is definitely okay to ask most of the time. All you have to do is listen to the answer.

-Dont approach disabled folk at night to offer help. Dont approach a disabled person who is already being helped by the person with them. Dont ask a disabled person who drove themselves somewhere if they need help in or out of the car. This is because if they got in the car, they knew they could get themselves out of the car. And if they have a wheelchair, there are very specific ways for the wheelchair to break down and go into the car that a non wheelchair user will have NO idea how to do so.

Please don't be upset and/or cause a scene if a disabled person denied your help but allowed it from someone else. There are multiple reasons you could have been denied your chance to help. It could be that the disabled person is with their friends or family and would prefer their help. The other person could be their aide (many aides dont need to have a uniform or scrubs and are often times hired friends or family). The disabled person may not have needed help with one thing but needed help for something else. And lastly, its really up to the disabled person who they accept help from.

-If a disabled person calls you (an able bodied person) out for using an accessible parking spot, PLEASE don't fight with them. Apologize, leave the spot, and don't do it again (and don't pull back in when their back is turned!). It doesn't need to be a huge fight.

-Dont touch or move a disabled person without their permission. Touch includes things like head pats, shoulder pats, hugs, arm rubbing, etc.

Overall, respect disabled people. Ask before helping and listen to the answer even if the answer is no.

Avatar
normal-with-adhd-is-a-joke

(hopefully I’m not overstepping, let me know if this bothers you, op, and I’ll delete it)

- please give up your seat on a bus/park bench/other public space for someone if they ask.  It doesn’t matter if they don’t “look disabled”. It doesn’t matter if they’re younger than you. They might have one of a myriad of unseen disorders and need to sit now.

- If you can’t give up your seat, please don’t cause a scene.  Just say “sorry, I need this seat” or something to that effect. 

- respect your disabled friends and family.  People often forget that disability respect rules apply to their loved ones as well.  You don’t get to “push them to do better” just because you know them.  They still have the final say on what their body can and can’t handle.

- the ability of a disabled person can fluctuate drastically.  This doesn’t mean they’re “faking”.  It just means they might have good days and bad days.

Avatar
reblogged
Avatar
petspeopletogether

Hi! My name is Cody and here’s my story - my person died and I ended up at the city shelter at the age of 17.

I was adopted out from the city shelter, but it wasn’t working out with the resident kitty. Fortunately my adopter knew about the amazing friends at @givemesheltersf in San Francisco, and they not only took me, they asked YOU to help me!

Can you share me so I can find a home that will keep me the rest of my life? I’m a lovable, sweet boy and I promise to give you lots of love in return if you take care of me.

Here are some things my foster mom says about me:

- I’m easy going - I LOVE to lie next to my foster mom and sleep by her head - I LOVE to eat and have a great appetite - I’m a sweet companion -I LOVE to have my head rubbed

One more thing you should know about me - I take a twice-daily medication for hyperthyroidsim. Good news, I take it in my food and it’s quite economical. Please give me a chance!

To meet me or find out more, email maria@givemesheltersf.org

Not near San Francisco? A reblog is worth my best head-bump! 🐾💕

Love, Cody

Avatar
reblogged
skjccla27-deactivated20170320
Avatar
ahva

my friends: exist 

me:

THANK YOU @ask-the-deadman, you truly are a great friend @missscribble, @emmahamburger, @saxatronix, @surroundedbyperverts, @isaackuo, @pumpkinpieowl, @futuristicallyuniversallyqueen, and here is some extra love for you Deadman @ask-the-deadman

Avatar
emhambrgr

Aww, thank you!!! @skjccla27

You are using an unsupported browser and things might not work as intended. Please make sure you're using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.