Joanne, who also suffers from scoliosis, uses her nose, lips, and chin to use devices like her laptop.
1 - I hate the constant staring and judging. I’m officially a woman now, I can go out and have fun with my friends so please when you see me, don’t judge me, I’m just like you. People always ask me why I hate going out.
Well, because if I’m seen with a drink people immediately assume I’m gonna topple over and die. I am sensible, (I think, I know what I’m doing)
2 - I hate the lack of access. Yes, I’m repeating myself from previous articles, but if I see steps going into a nightclub that’s a turn off and, as I will be celebrating my end of school life soon, it’s hard for my friends to organise something huge when half the places aren’t accessible.
Also, steps in a nightclub are dangerous, think of the drunks that could potentially harm themselves and sue — don’t say I didn’t warn you!
3 - I hate the fact I have to plan all the time. You can get up and decide ‘I’m going for a jog’. Me, I have to call my mother to get me up, she has to get me dressed and I have to then tell her I’m going out and can she drop me there.
It’s outrageous. I always have this dream that someday I can hop on a plane and just go travelling and let loose.
4 - I hate the fact people in wheelchairs don’t meet up often. Look, I know we are all out there — why don’t we all just choose a place and have a humungus meet-up?
Personally, I think it shouldn’t be an organisation that organises this, well, because, charities aren’t being projected well. I would love to do it, but I hope these people won’t mind holding off until July or maybe August!
5 - What I hate the most? Nobody, in my mind, understands me. Yes, I do have a great understanding friend I can tell everything to, but realistically, I think people in wheelchairs have huge problems that only our kind can understand.
Original Article by Joanne O'Riordan - Irish Examiner