DRMacIver's Notebook
You’re walking wrong
You’re walking wrong
This started out life as an extended metaphor for how we treat people’s support mechanisms in general, but I think it works pretty well on a literal reading too.
Note that I am essentially able-bodied (minor caveats only), but I did check this post with a cane user before publishing it.
A: Hey, you over there, the one walking! You’re doing it wrong.
B: Excuse me?
A: You’re using a cane! You shouldn’t do that!
B: …
A: You should be walking with your own two feet, like a normal person!
B: I will fall over if I do that.
A: Have you tried?
B: Yes. I fell over.
A: Maybe you should try harder?
B: That would cause me to fall over harder.
A: You just need more practice! The problem is, you’re using the cane as a crutch.
B: Well, technically a cane and a crutch are different assistive devices. You see a crutch-
A: I mean you’re using your cane to support your weight.
B: It’s more about stability, but yes that’s what it’s for.
A: You should be using your legs to do that!
B: I literally can’t. I have a torn ligament in my ankle. It will not hold my weight properly.
A: That’s no excuse. You should fix that then!
B: I am on a waiting list for surgery, yes.
A: Well if you know how to fix it, why are you using that cane?
B: Because I haven’t had the surgery yet and I need to walk now.
A: But what if your cane is made with conflict minerals?
B: Uh, is it?
A: I don’t know, did you even check?
B: Not really, no. Who made your shoes?
A: (waves hand dismissively) oh who cares about that? Everyone wears shoes. You’re wearing shoes. But your cane might be made with conflict minerals, and I don’t have one of those.
B: In the grand scheme of things I don’t think canes are a significant contributor to global conflict.
A: But it’s all of our responsibility to care about these things! You should be more responsible in how you walk.
B: OK. If we’re all responsible, would you like to pay for me to be able to have my surgery sooner?
A: No, it’s your responsibility to do that too.
B: …
A: Anyway, have you tried yoga?