/Embarrassment at using aids

[Guest guest]

,

I totally agree with this message. I have never felt embarrassed using any

of the things that help me get on with my life. I have felt uncomfotable or

awkward the first time out, but as you said, that was my own misconception

and not really the public's reaction. Yeah, a surprised look here and there

and then business as usual. I've just always chalked it up to the fact that

I have had to learn to deal with a lot of this from the age of sixteen when

I got my first hearing aid. That was 1960 and I was a junior in high

school. Not too many people were aware of hearing aids; especally for 16

year olds. I just remember that after a couple of days I pulled my long

hair back into a pony tail and I really didn't care who saw the hearing

aids. The relief of being able to hear surpassed any embarrassement at

having hearing aids. Maybe it was a lesson well learned because I don't

recall any hesitation at using the cane, the walker or the scooter.

I jumped right into using relay so I could use the phone and was anxious to

get a telecaptor when closed captioned TV came on the market years ago.

Anything that helps me I want it and I don't care what the world thinks of

it. Besides, I think othes take their cue from you. If you hold your head

high and smile, that's what you get back. If you hang your head in shame

the world will stare trying to figure out what you are ashamed of.

Just my opinion.

Ronnie

Embarrassment at using aids

> Maybe it is because I have had to use a walker for so long now but I

> truly think that our perception that people are staring is largely a

> reflection of our own self consciousness. I am totally comfortable with

> using the walker now and was specifically taking note when I was down

> the shopping mall tonight - I can honestly say that nobody stared.

> Sure, some people looked twice but I find if you act as though you are

> perfectly comfortable with the situation people not only don't stare but

> are usually downright helpful. When I got out to my car at the end the

> people next to me (a couple with learner driver daughter, none of whom

> looked particularly disabled even though they had a disabled parking

> permit) firstly commented on how great my car was (a lot of people do as

> they don't expect a disabled dude to be driving a muscle car) and then

> asked if I needed help putting the walker in the car etc.. I never

> accept those offers because then I stiffen right up and can hardly move

> to get in the car. However, it's good that they think to ask and I

> always have strangers opening doors for me etc wherever I go.

>

> I can remember when I first used a cane and again when I first used the

> walking frame I felt as if half the world was staring at me. I know now

> that they weren't and it was only me thinking they were. Sure, an

> occasional person may stare, especially kids, but some of them stare at

> anything. When you get comfortable with the situation I am positive you

> will come to see that you were only imagining that the eyes of the world

> are on you. How many times have you heard people say that they felt

> like everyone was staring at them after they totally changed their

> hairstyle (not outlandishly) or wore something that they would never

> normally wear? Again, a reflection of their perception and not the true

> situation. When we feel self conscious we feel that the eyes of the

> world are on us when in actual fact most people couldn't give a damn and

> are just going about their business.

>

>

>

> My 2.78c worth (with inflation)

>

>

> belgium46@... wrote:

>

> > , I know the stares are hard in the beginning using a walker but

> > after

> > awhile they fade away. It became for me much easier to get around no

> > fear of

> > falling now that I had something to lean on. Hey take advantage of

> > those

> > moments when people open up doors and let you in ahead of then and

> > getting off

> > elevators first! You also make them feel good helping you. Flora

>

> gary duke wrote: Yes, I do have one. If I can mentally get over having

> to use it I know the walker will help. I did take it last month to the

> mall and it came in handy. I just didnt like the staring-but it is

> better then falling.

>

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