Defining too soon!

Oh you are so brave…!

You are inspiring!

You laugh despite your problems? You are so strong!

These are just a few things I get to hear on daily basis. However pleasing these words sound, it is a trigger because these words come from people whose eyes fall on my wheelchair even before they get to me; and the inner me is like

Hello? Can you please tell me the reason I am strong? Is it because of my chair? But the wheelchair isn’t my definition!

But the outer me is like

Hahaha thank you…

So, what can be done about it? Do I go ahead and be rude to them because why not? I have seen people do that too! But is arrogance an answer?

So instead of complimenting me for doing what I do from a wheelchair, come sit and talk to me, buy lunch, go on a coffee with me or just talk a stroll with me and you might get to know me as Sahithi. We can discuss politics, history or cloud native (LOL) and then my dear friend, you’ll have a better reason to get inspired!

My wheelchair is an aid and not a part of my personality!

PS: Its not just me, I see a lot of superheroes around me, they don’t wear capes and are not on wheels but they are still heroes. All you need is to look around and start appreciating!