Hi there readers!

I’ve been working on this blog for a long time! Geez! Let me get it done!

It started as a general blog about practical etiquette for Walkers about Rollers; for able-bodied persons about those who need to use mobility devices.

However, I am pretty sure there are countless articles, blogs, dissertations, YouTube channels, etc, devoted to this theme; I haven’t researched, I don’t know.

So, instead of redundancy, I’ve decided to talk about my issues, personalized, yet general enough to knock some sense into readers.

After all, I am unique; I am a tiny dot on the Rare Disorder spectrum; I am CAPOS.

Over the next few days, you’ll read some specific tips that may be helpful to you, if you happen to bump into me on the sidewalks of Metro Vancouver; a rarity in itself. But, hey cheer up, even the planets align once in a while!

First and foremost:

• Do not stare if you happen to see me arrive, park and then stand up and walk to, say, the Starbucks counter to order a grande Flat White.
• I can walk, slowly at best, stumbling here and there at worst. Short distances are best.
• Yes, thousands of other wheelchair users are unable to, for whatever reason, ambulate.
• If this theme was a goldmine, I’m about to hit the motherlode:
• Do not assume I can hear you. Yes, that is very straightforward right?
• But why is that so important?
• Because, society as a whole, Walkers, cannot seem to grasp that a Rollers can be Deaf, or even DeafBlind.
• While 97.21%* of Rollers are hearing, there are obviously some that cannot.
• * this follows the same reasoning that Rollers can ambulate, while others cannot.
• Returning to the specific-ness of this blog: I’ve lost count of incidences were I’ve been “talked” to without my knowledge. The incident on the Bus in Surrey is a poignantly obvious example.
• So, the tip here, if I don’t acknowledge your verbal questions, your profanity, your polite gossip; rest assured, I am not ignoring you. I just can’t hear you!
• So, instead of repeating and repeating the same thing; if it is protocol (like in Surrey above), then approach me, tap my shoulder, get my attention, proceed to asking if the device is off. Carry on. We will all be happier!
• If you are just being chatty, and strike up a conversation about the smell of the elevator we happen to be riding together, but I didn’t reply, don’t repeat yourself or turn away. Instead; wave your hand in front of your nose, grimace, thumb down. I’ll cotton on, I’ll probably be holding my breath as well. As we get off the elevator, give a thumbs up, or peace out gesture, I’ll do the same!

Thank listening today!

You’ll get a new blog shortly!