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What do people say to offend you without even knowing it?

This thought has occurred to me while I was out at a bar the other night listening to a friends band, and I know I have seen people voice opinions about certain phrases that can often be taken the wrong way by someone who uses a wheelchair. I notice this happens the most a social setting and its usually easy to brush it off and not think anything of it. The one that has really come to bother me is when someone says, "It's good to see you out." Or some variation that infers that I never leave the house. Don't get me wrong, I can understand why someone might say that but coming from my perspective, it's a bit offensive. I am thinking...Am I not allowed to go out? I take care of myself and do most things independently just like everyone else. I leave the house when I need to and do my routine that I need to do just like every other person. No one tells me that at the grocery store...
It takes a lot to offend me and I never get upset because I know everyone has good intentions, it's just funny to hear some of the things people will say without realizing how they come off. So I guess my question is - Have you ever experienced situations like this? Has someone ever tried to be nice but just come off ignorant or uneducated? How do you handle situations like that?
It takes a lot to offend me and I never get upset because I know everyone has good intentions, it's just funny to hear some of the things people will say without realizing how they come off. So I guess my question is - Have you ever experienced situations like this? Has someone ever tried to be nice but just come off ignorant or uneducated? How do you handle situations like that?
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Comments
I've come to find out that them seeing me like I said living my life is what is inspiring to them. Some people might know someone who isn't even in a wheelchair but who might be going through some things and they aren't allowing themselves to live because of that. So them seeing me with a physical limitation but still doing things and going places that an able bodied person would inspires them.
I also don't get offended easily but there are somethings people do or say that makes me question how naive I was pre-injury. An example being, saying "I'll break your neck" as a threat. I would not wish this on my worst enemy so to hear others say it, in most times as an exaggeration is something that grinds my gears.
1. When I am out dining with my wife and the waiter hands her the bill. That would never happen if I wasn't in my chair.
2. People who try to help without asking permission. Example, when I am alone and transferring into my car someone will try and grab the wheelchair to "help". I usually tell them that it is easier for me to do it than it is to explain "how to" to them.
It also used to bother me when people would ask "Can I help?", assuming I was unable to do it myself. Later I realized I am not the only disabled person out there. What if the next person they ask "Can I help?" really COULD use their help. If I had been rude, they might stop asking and that next disabled person wouldn't get any help. Now my response is "I've got a good system going and don't need the help, but I do appreciate you asking."