Bound To A Wheelchair

According to Merriam-Webster, the adjectival definition of bound is "fastened by or as if by a band: confined." I really don't believe that every person who uses the term "wheelchair-bound" or says somebody is "bound to their wheelchair," is trying to denigrate the individual who uses the wheelchair. Wheelchairs are tools for mobility, and therefore the terminology of "wheelchair bound" or "confined to a wheelchair" should be eliminated. A person uses their wheelchair, they rely on their wheelchair, they are not confined or restricted by their wheelchair.

Please help us change the misperception that wheelchairs are confining. Although "wheelchair bound" and "confined to a wheelchair" are still in very common usage, we all have the power to remove them from our vocabulary. Do you hate the term 'wheelchair-bound'? What does it portray and mean to you? Our deputy editor Shannon, who uses a wheelchair, shares her blog post on why she thinks we need to change the way we talk about disability.

Last month I came across an article titled ' wheelchair-bound boy gets custom Halloween costume '. A wheelchair is a mobility device, like a skateboard, car or bus - you wouldn't describe a car driver as "car bound"! Wheelchairs enable people to move around more easily than if they didn't have a wheelchair - in fact, wheelchair users are the opposite of being "bound" by their wheelchair! Opposite, that wheelchair allows me to be mobile, to perform daily activities and responsibilities, simply, wheelchair allow me to live life to the fullest.

Yet, for most people I remain "confined to a wheelchair". When giving directions to a person in a wheelchair, consider distance, weather conditions and physical obstacles (curbs, stairs, steep hills, etc.). Offer to tell where accessible rest rooms, telephones, and water fountains are located.

Do not say: "Wheelchair bound" or describe someone as "confined to a wheelchair". Rather than saying "wheelchair-bound" or "confined to a wheelchair," view the wheelchair as a mobility aide and say, "wheelchair user" or "person who uses a wheelchair.". The terms "confined to a wheelchair" and "wheelchair bound" are judgements by people without disabilities about how it would be to live life in a wheelchair.

For those who do not rely on wheelchairs, they may see life in a wheelchair as limiting, confining and restricting. For those who rely on wheelchairs, we know that the opposite is true; wheelchairs offer mobility, freedom, and. Wheelchair-bound, to some, implies restriction and limitation.

On the contrary, wheelchairs are an aid to mobility and freedom, thereby enabling opportunity, inclusion, exploration and the ability to integrate with society.