Redefining “disabled”

My article about Lauren DeBruicker, the new chair of the board of Inglis, ran in today’s Inquirer. Inglis is a non-profit that helps people with physical limitations live independently or provides them 24-hour care if they wish. A great organization that’s been around for more than 100 years, but still has a relatively low profile. I hope this article changes that a bit.

Lauren and I had a long conversation about how people react to those in wheelchairs. I shared my own pet peeves, as my mother uses a chair. My number one issue? When people — nurses, restaurant servers, store clerks — address questions to me when they want to know what she wants/needs/feels. Sometimes it’s hard not to sound snippy when I reply, “She can hear you. You should ask her.” I know most people don’t have ill intent.

If you’d like to read the story about Lauren and Inglis, it’s currently posted here.