I've got something to keep you occupied.

If I hear this or similar comments one more time someone is going to get hurt.  Well, if they're kidding they may only get a cutting remark but even then it stings. 
Why is there the misperception that if someone is disabled to the point where they cannot hold a job outside the home that they must be sitting around the house bored to tears and eating bon bons?  This couldn't be further from the truth!  I was a workaholic perfectionist before so why would I change now?  In fact, I'm busier than I have ever been.  My physical impairments only make it take me longer to do the things I am still able to do meaning that much of my day is taken up doing relatively mundane things.  I exhaust easily but I don't just lay about.  If my body is exhausted but I'm awake then I'm working on something such as doing research, writing or working on my blog.  So folks beware.  The next time someone makes a comment about how I must be so bored and have so much time on my hands Mumpy is going to employ some Cane Fu super whacks and tripping moves.  I apologize in advance. 

Comments

[Julie]

I'll hit them too! They are the same people who were convinced I'd miss work and get bored when I took a year off. Next they asked if I was going to travel...No, I'm going to be at home and enjoy every minute of it. I also said I hadn't been bored since I was 12. Seemingly very few people can understand 'never bored'. Grrrrr!

[rainypete]

Hey! While you're waiting for people to get the message I've got something to keep you occupied.
--ducks head to avoid cane-fu--

[Ziggi]

Bon bons! Any left for me? Anyway,to the point. It's about perception as you state. Home or house conjures up images of a sedentary place with few physical or intellectual demands. Very similar to the old perception of the professional "homemaker". They didn't "go" to "work" either. Disability, to the general public, also conjures up images of a sedentary lifestyle. You remember these long abandoned descriptives- housebound and bed bound.

Hustling and bustling around all over the place is perceived as being active, productive, and dynamic. It is a public display, and some people just don't hustle and bustle as well as others.

Many people with disabilities are not permitted to be public creatures. Has anyone purchased you an adapted vehicle lately? Has anyone donated a high-powered-able-to-go-anywhere wheelchair? Maybe Santa left a shiny new accessible public transit system under your tree a few weeks ago or an accessible workplace in your stocking.

Yes, it's perception alright.
Sorry Mumpy, didn't mean to rant on your bandwidth.

[Cancergiggles]

It's just that you don't sober up until early afternoon that makes you think you're busy.

Damn. I've just re read it and you said work-aholic perfectionist.

Sorry.

Cass

[charlesdawson]

Tell me about it, Mumpy.

[Happy and Blue]

People are weird. Well except for you and me, tee,hee..