The 300 Pound Gorilla
There is something I encounter frequently on MS related sites. It is a very common complaint. Quite a few people complain that they are treated differently, as outcasts, as though there is something wrong with them. I never experience this, It has been going on for so long that I have given it much thought.
I believe I have arrived at the answer. Think of the old joke, "Where does the 300 pound gorilla sit ?"
"Wherever he wants to."
What I am getting at is that I attribute my being treated differently than many MSers simply due to size. No doubt there is an unintended intimidation factor involved. I am 6' 2" (190.5cm) and weigh over 250 lbs (113,4kg). I must asume that I never get "those looks" when I use a public scooter, or sit in the disabled reserved area, because of the joke I referenced above. I sit wherever I want.
And of course it cannot be discounted that I simply do not see any looks cast my way. I genuinely do not care what people think. I have been with friends who have pointed out looks that I garner, often I do not see them, even if they are pointed out.
Just recently I read a quote form someone here at DS. I really really like it.
"Dr. Seuss quote...'those that mind don't matter, those that matter don't mind' "
My daily tilting with the MonSter takes up enough of my time. Jousting with the ignorant simply isn't worth the effort.
I realize that very few MSers share my stature, but all of them can adopt my perspective. Over 25 years ago I met a man. We became friends, One day I noticed something about him. When I pointed it out at first he was insulted, But as we talked, he came to see my point. He was very short, at least a foot shorter than me. I had seriously never noticed it ! Everyone respected him. His deportment was one of supreme self-confidence. I simple had never noticed his stature before, and once I had, it made absolutely no difference.
I believe I have arrived at the answer. Think of the old joke, "Where does the 300 pound gorilla sit ?"
"Wherever he wants to."
What I am getting at is that I attribute my being treated differently than many MSers simply due to size. No doubt there is an unintended intimidation factor involved. I am 6' 2" (190.5cm) and weigh over 250 lbs (113,4kg). I must asume that I never get "those looks" when I use a public scooter, or sit in the disabled reserved area, because of the joke I referenced above. I sit wherever I want.
And of course it cannot be discounted that I simply do not see any looks cast my way. I genuinely do not care what people think. I have been with friends who have pointed out looks that I garner, often I do not see them, even if they are pointed out.
Just recently I read a quote form someone here at DS. I really really like it.
"Dr. Seuss quote...'those that mind don't matter, those that matter don't mind' "
My daily tilting with the MonSter takes up enough of my time. Jousting with the ignorant simply isn't worth the effort.
I realize that very few MSers share my stature, but all of them can adopt my perspective. Over 25 years ago I met a man. We became friends, One day I noticed something about him. When I pointed it out at first he was insulted, But as we talked, he came to see my point. He was very short, at least a foot shorter than me. I had seriously never noticed it ! Everyone respected him. His deportment was one of supreme self-confidence. I simple had never noticed his stature before, and once I had, it made absolutely no difference.
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