Quote:
Originally Posted by tringlomane
I finally popped my head into this section again, and I was very glad to read that someone with a significant case of CP won a major poker tourney in Oceania. And it was sad to see that omahahahahaha (now banned) differentiated genders in that thread by saying that helping a disabled woman is significantly more acceptable than a disabled man. So I don't blame you for the "let's pile-on post". Assistance by need is more appropriate. Having a milder case of CP, I am on the fence on what I would want him to do. If I can do it myself, it's not necessary for him to help me. But him standing there waiting for me to do it myself (as he described in the thread) would be awkward as hell too. In that case, I'd probably just rather him help me.
Unfortunately, I struggled with that issue lately on airplanes. Airplanes don't believe in adequate space for anyone, except maybe children. Last flight was to Disneyland/Vegas, and I tried to retrieve my overhead bag from a few rows back. Someone politely stepped in to help me because i was struggling a bit. My g/f and I had a 9-day trip ahead of us and didn't want to pay a checked bag fee, so our bags were packed to the max. I obviously appreciated the help at the surface, but at the same time felt a little crappy that I couldn't do it myself without risking smacking someone in the head.
I guess it's hard for someone who doesn't have this experience to be able to truly empathize. I get offered help from time to time because a) I'm female, and b) I'm short enough that sometimes I struggle with reaching object up high (airplane bins, grocery store shelves, etc.).
I guess there's always a tinge of embarrassment but honestly if I'm struggling for whatever reason I always accept graciously. I don't feel less than in any way just because I don't crack 5'3" and this impedes certain things. What I was younger I'd bristle more (where the **** is my growth spurt yo!) but it is what it is.
At any rate I don't think the vast majority offering help to people (short people, lady people, disabled people, w/e) are doing so to take anything away from the person they are offering to help, but because it seems like common courtesy to them, even if it doesn't always feel as such to the person being offered the help.