Have you ever wondered what others think of you? I think most of us are a little curious at times.
It is interesting how some people will see someone in a wheelchair and comment as though they are not there or cannot hear them.
One of my favorites perceptions of Dake was when he had his service dog, "LURCH" (huge great dane and lab mix ) with him and we went into Walmart and the person said to the person beside them "He must be blind".....OK..... think about it! Would he be driving a powerful machine if he were blind?....He did not have one hand on the ground and one on the joystick. You have to laugh because surely by the time that person got to the car they realized what they said. (Personally, I would have loved to see that! ha ha) Surprisingly we heard that comment a couple of times. We actually do laugh. It is interesting to people watch.
The other day Dake, Lyndsey and I went to a restaurant we frequent often. We ordered our drinks as usual and they brought them. The nice waiter brought Lyndsey and myself the large glasses as usual but he brought Dake a "kiddie cup" as Dake calls it. You know the cups with a lid and straw. I immediately thought how thoughtful the waiter was being sensitive to his needs. Dake on the other hand took it as an insult. Lyndsey laughed and teased him trying to make light of it. Then we all started laughing. It really upset him though and I understand what he was saying.
I understood both views...The waiter thought he was being kind and he was but I undersood Dake being insulted by it. He felt like he was being perceived like a fragile person who could not help himself.
I knew Dake was feeling better about it today when he was sharing the story with a friend and was laughing about it.
Laughter is truly the best medicine.
One of my favorite t-shirts Dake had was....."Stare long enough and I might to a trick!"
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