Little Things Mean a Lot in the World of the Handicapped or Disabled

A recent knee injury and resultant surgery has left me in a position to evalute all the things I could have only imagined a few short days ago.

Things such as being able to bend to retrieve the Thanksgiving leftovers from the back of the second shelf, where they were placed with no consideration to a person unable to physically reach them.

Things such as a toilet ..... there IS a reason for those extra high bowls, and I now KNOW that reason. With a leg in a brace from ankle to groin, it is NOT easy to lower one's self almost to the floor for use.

With a foot permanently facing straight ahead, (or straight up when lying down), there is a reason for those silly "sheet tent's" I have recently seen advertised.

The fact that the brake and accelerator are of equal height in commercial vehicles is a big bonus. It enabled me to return home for the surgery to my knee. Had I needed to lift the foot to move from one to the other, it would have been impossible.

The threshold, (that is not completed from renovations), is a great trap for a person using crutches, a few days ago I didn't even notice it.

While I am not complaining, I am made aware of limitations some folks have imposed on themselves.

As such it is imperative we all show a bit more consideration for those around us who are really struggling to accomplish what we take for granted.

Stay out of those handicapped parking spaces, reserve the handicapped bathroom stalls, if possible.

Stop to hold the door for person's with canes and crutches. Allow those with disabilities to proceed you in lines.

Don't be rude, they may indeed be doing the very best they can, are you?