Be strong and courageous. ...

for the LORD your God will be with you

wherever you go. (Joshua 1:8)

              

   

Many of us feel uncomfortable when we see someone in a wheelchair. How do we react? What do we say? What can we do? We can do some terrible things even if we do not speak to the person. And, that is among the worst – not speaking to them, or ignoring them. We can avoid them by walking quickly past, or, like the priest in the Samaritan story, ‘cross over to the other side of the road’. All of this can be very hurtful. How do we communicate with a person in this situation?

Here are a few things to think about:

Realise that the person is human and would normally love to talk with you;

If you can, talk to them at the same level rather than from a meter above;

Talk with the person directly, not through another person;

Don’t pretend that you understand their situation;

DON’T SHOUT! Speak normally.

Only speak of the person’s disability if it is relevant or necessary.

Relax and be natural.

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