Yes, I Really DO Need the Wheelchair.

Several months ago I walked into my local Walmart and went to get one of the electric wheelchairs they have for customer use. The greeter stopped me, and asked if I really needed it. He was nice about it, and I simply replied that yes, I do need it, and he left it at that. The incident was a minor one, but it was frustrating nonetheless. You see, I am a young-looking 44-year-old woman with no visible handicap. Yet I am unable to walk more than about 50 feet without some sort of support. Since that incident, I have obtained a rolling walker with a seat, and no longer need the wheelchair. The walker gives me enough support while walking, and the seat allows me to sit when I need to rest.

My 17-year-old daughter E. has rheumatoid arthritis. She had a much more humiliating experience with the wheelchairs. E. and my husband went to the store (Walmart) one evening for a few things. She went to the wheelchairs, and started to sit down, but was stopped by the greeter, who questioned her need for the wheelchair. E. explained that she has RA, and cannot walk for long without support. Still the greeter refused her the use of the wheelchair. My husband stepped in and again told the greeter about the RA, at which point the greeter said "I have RA, and I don't need the wheelchair!" She seemed quite clueless as to the very real difference between an older woman (this woman was in her 60's, at least) with RA, and a 17yo girl with RA. My husband insisted on the wheelchair, and the greeter finally gave in, albeit very reluctantly. When my husband and daughter arrived home and related the experience, my daughter was in tears over the resulting embarrassment. My husband and I then returned to the store and spoke with the manager about the situation. We explained the reality of invisible disabilities such as RA and Ankylosing Spondylitis, and asked that the staff be given additional training to help them understand that just because someone doesn't look disabled doesn't mean they aren't. We were no longer questioned about our use of the wheelchairs, and the greeters have been much friendlier to us.

Since that time, E. has obtained a cane and gotten stabilized on medication, and no longer needs the wheelchair for shopping trips. Nevertheless, we still believe that it is important for store personnel to receive appropriate training regarding invisible disabilities, so as to avoid a repeat of our experiences.