I'm paraplegic (paralyzed from chest down) and have a few questions...?

Unfortunately this is how people will be. You can't change them. You can be nice and say "Hey, I'm still me. Nothing has changed except I can't waik." Usually for hand controls they will run close to $1,000 if not more. Usually the state as at least one wheelchair van company. If you don't then you may have to go out of state to get some. Also, call up Vocational Rehabilitation in your city. They will be able to help you transition as well.

Paralyzed Chest Down

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I'm paraplegic (paralyzed from chest down) and have a few questions...?

I'm still having MAJOR anxiety issues about going out and having people stare at me or talk to me like I'm some kind of retard. I broke my back, not my brain. Come on. Is there anyone out there with a disability that has the same problem?

Examples:

-Twice so far, I've gone out to...

Hello, I was in a car accident two months ago that left me a T12 complete (though I have been getting some sensation back) paraplegic with no sensation below the waist, so I can see your frustration. It can be hard sometimes but I've found it gets better, and it may be hard to believe, but you situation won't stay like this forever.

The only way to solve these issues is to show everyone that you're a person and not just 'the girl in the wheelchair.' Unfortunately people are always going to think of you at first sight like that, because obviously the wheelchair is the most obvious feature. Smile at them, laugh, talk to them, just, be human. :D And slowly you can change people's perception of paraplegics and other wheelchair users in general.

As for the waitress thing, yeah it's pretty frustrating. I've had that happen to me going with friends to the mall at a store. When this happens, just butt in and start talking to the waitress to show her that you are a NORMAL PERSON, and that you're just physically not mentally disabled. Try not to get angry at her--she's not trying to frustrate you, she's just ignorant. Just make sure she gets the message that most people in wheelchairs are human beings perfectly capable of talking on their own.

Since I'm 15 and can't legally drive yet, I can't help you with the hand controls thing. I would suggest apparelyzed.com, I hear they are very helpful.

Yes it sucks, but keep confident and don't get too impatient, life goes on. :)

eye contact is more powerful than arm or legs . i have a real good friend sorry to say but yall are in the same boat . he hates pity and has more guts than any man i have ever met .anywhere in the publics eye he starts talking first looks people dead in the eye at first until they understand that he is just as much a person and them. he never wavers he says the eyes the heart and expressions all he needs to get respect . to be honest he was a little winy before he got shot but now nothing skeers him . and in less than a minute people forget he is in a wheel chair and he is just one of the guy . i will say one thing for Jeff you may not like him but you gotta respect him lol . hope this helps

I don't want to be mean or anything, but if your paralyzed from chest down, how did you type this? Some sort of machine that reads your brain?