by Jenny Addis
Hey Jen!
Yesterday I went shopping at the mall and it felt
like everyone was staring at me as if I was some sort of attraction or alien! I
was wondering if others respond to you that way as well. Do you feel like
everyone is staring at you when you are trying to enjoy the same experiences
and activities as every other person in society? I have been injured since January
15, 2011. Am I being oversensitive since being a paraplegic is new to me? What
is wrong with people? Is this what I have to look forward to? I feel
frustrated, alone and alienated from the rest of the world!
Dear Maika:
First, I'd like to start off by saying, "NO,"
you are not being oversensitive and you are not alone! I went through that same
frustration, alienation and adjustment period right after my injury. In fact, I
still feel that way at times. I don't think I am out of line by saying that
everyone goes through that same feeling of alienation and loneliness after such
a traumatic, life-altering change. I think that feeling alone is a natural
response for anyone who has gone through such a loss. A part of you died that
day. Your health, which we all take for granted, was stripped away from you with
no prior notice.
And now as you adjust to a new way of life, to
have people stare is by no means helpful! To anyone out there who is guilty of
this behavior…shame on you! Didn't your mother teach you that it's not polite
to stare? I remember when I was a child, my Mom always taught my brothers and I
it wasn't polite to stare. I'd like to think that this is still a common
practice among parents and their children today. Why, as a society, do we have
this urge to stare? Think about it. We all have been guilty of it, young and
old, but as we get older, we should know better. We expect this type of behavior
from a child. Their curiosity and urge to learn is why they do certain immature
or unacceptable behaviors, because that’s part of the learning process.
One of my previous columns, “Age Appropriate Or
Not,” is an informative "Hey Jen!" entry on how important it is to
teach our children that it's not polite to stare. Children should be taught
that we are all equal and deserve the same respect as all individuals in
society. A common question I receive from a staring child is, "Why are you
in that?" obviously referring to my wheelchair. I have no problem
answering any questions a child is asking and helping the parent by interacting
with the appropriate answers to any questions their child has or they do as a
parent, because sometimes the adult may not know the appropriate answer.
My first reaction after my quadriplegia was the
same as yours, Maika. I assumed the stares had negative intentions attached to
them, but why in the world would anyone, after going through a traumatic
physical body change, not by choice, feel like a stare by a stranger would have
any kind of positive attachment? The images of my own insecurities and fears of
the unknown on how people were going to treat me after my quadriplegia reside
in my head yet today. I found the most consistent place that produced the
majority of those unwanted stares was at the shopping mall as well, which was one
of my favorite places to visit and enjoy time with my friends and family.
Sadly, my favorite activity started becoming my least favorite.
The question of why people stare is extremely
universal, whether you become that chosen object due to a physical or
developmental disability, obesity, overly attractiveness, unattractiveness or a
nontraditional appearance. Whatever the person staring is obsessed with causes
the victim or the person being stared at to become insecure and closed off from
the outside world. As I researched this subject, I found some interesting and
beneficial reasons to why people stare. Here are just a few:
Admiration. There is a possibility that the person staring at
you admires you for some reason and wants to initiate a conversation with you
and continues staring at you to see whether you reciprocate the stare or not.
Reciprocating can be a sign of interest.
Insecurity. People who feel insecure about themselves may
stare at others, so they know what others look or behave like, or as a defense
mechanism.
Amazement. The person staring at you may just simply be
amazed by your attractiveness that they just cannot take their eyes off of
you.
Judgment. The person may be judging you through their
stare, especially if they see something different or outside what's considered
the norm.
Why people stare is really hard to answer unless
you speculate or guess. Staring is not hard behavior to notice, because you can
easily make out if someone is gazing at you for an inappropriate amount of
time. The reasons above can be beneficial when you are searching for an answer.
Keep in mind, whatever the reason, it is still rude, impolite and an invasion
of an individual's privacy.
My suggestion and advice is straightforward. What
I have learned over the 14 years I've been living with an obvious, out of the
norm, physical disability known as quadriplegia is that whatever the reason is
for the stare...don't let it get to you negatively. For me, it has become
important to me to get to the bottom of the stare, because after all these years
I know the stares are more out of curiosity and a lack of education, not necessarily
negative. My response to a stare usually begins with a smile, saying hi and I
may even initiate a conversation with the individual staring at me, even if
they do everything possible to avoid me! The person is either going to quickly
turn away out of their own feelings of discomfort or respond positively and
appropriately with a smile right back and a verbal response. If they quickly
turn away, then I know the answer to that stare. It was impolite, rude and
hopefully, I made them as uncomfortable as they could have made me feel. If the
response is appropriate, it may become an opportunity to share my personal
experience of overcoming adversity and to educate them. This is a perfect
example for others to see that just because we may be living with a disability,
does not mean that we cannot be as intelligent, beautiful, handsome, funny,
capable of loving, being loved, career-oriented and the list goes on and on.
Whether you are living with a physical, mental, or developmental disability,
does not mean that you are not capable of giving, wanting or needing the same
everyday needs and wants as the rest of the world.
I think I speak for everyone living with any type
of disability or in a situation that may be considered "out of the
norm" when I say that, if you find the urge to stare, please be polite and
walk away or simply approach us and say what’s on your mind. We will appreciate
your honesty and respect. The moral of this story is simple...Remember,
"It's NOT Polite to STARE!"
To read Jen's
previous entry, "Age Appropriate...Or Not!" Go to: http://www.mobilewomen.org/2011/04/hey-jen-age-appropriateor-not.html#more.
To find more "Hey Jen!" columns, visit www.mobileWOMEN.org/heyjen.
Remember, nothing is too personal in my book, so send your
questions to “Hey Jen!” at: mobileHeyJen@gmail.com! Learn more about me and my
story at my website: www.InspirationSpeaks.Me.
great article! On most days I don't even notice the stares anymore, I have so much more going on to care. On days I am in the mood I will take that opportunity to educate. On not so good days I am totally annoyed by it and will actually act just as rude (very rare, but hey I am human!)
ReplyDeletegreat article! On most days I don't even notice the stares anymore, I have so much more going on to care. On days I am in the mood I will take that opportunity to educate. On not so good days I am totally annoyed by it and will actually act just as rude (very rare, but hey I am human!)
ReplyDeleteSince I've used a wheelchair my entire life, it rarely phases me when someone stares. Mostly, though, it's children...and I am always glad when I hear a parent explain the wheelchair to their child at that moment (this even happened today!). Other parents pull their kids away in horror that their kid is looking or out of embarrassment, but I prefer when that moment becomes teachable rather than making the child feel bad for looking. I love the opportunity to have a parent educate their child or for me to welcome questions because I think understanding leads to compassion. I'll never forget, when I was in high school, I once did a Q&A session at an elementary school. That first morning when I was going down the halls, kids were pointing and whispering, not having had much experience with people who use wheelchairs....Then, when I had gone through all the classes, and I went down the halls, these same children literally were waving at me, smiling and so many even ran up to me to give me a hug! Education is the key, for children and adults alike. Nowadays I go through each day knowing that people will watch me walk down the street, especially as they see I'm a mom, and people always look in awe when my car opens with the cool ramp, but I just treat this all as if I'm a celebrity...only without all the perks and autograph-signing! Maybe one day! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's just something you get used to. It's not really THAT big of a deal anyway. Staring has been around forever and it will always be around. You have no control over it except for how you let it affect you.
ReplyDeleteHere's a tip: pretend you are famous.
Here's another tip: It's not a crime. Get over it.
I am a hemi-pelvectomy amputee (no hip or pelvis) and use crutches to get around - people ALWAYS stare... I have found the BEST way to cope is to stare right back at them and SMILE with a big hello. It's an ice breaker and makes people see you as a person not an object of pity or a curiousity. Some days it's annoying but most days I'm just too busy being grateful to be here to care if people find me 'stare' worthy...
ReplyDeleteGlenda Standeven
co-author 'Choosing to Smile'
Sometimes staring is because a person is so good looking, male or female. It doesn't matter if they are in a wheelchair, etc. Just smile and say, 'Hello.' There are so many different handicaps today, I really don't think people are staring at that. If you would see Jen in person you could see why people are staring. They probably don't even know she's in a wheelchair! She's absolutely gorgeous and a personality to match. Thanks for this wonderful column. You're a true Angel.
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